It is with relief and sadness that we announce the passing of CUU VAN TRAN, at St. Michael's Health Centre - Palliative Care Unit, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the age of 88 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Cong Tran, and six children: Dat (Giang) Tran of Lethbridge, Chi (Quang) Tran of Hayward, USA, Khanh (Thuy) Tran of Denver, USA, Thu (Duc) Tran of San Jose, USA, My (Sinh) Tran of Edmonton and Nga (Huy) Tran of Atlanta, USA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Amanda, Hung (Ngoc), Huan (Julie), Dang (Thuan), Trung (Duyen), Frankie, Margaret, Catherine, Lan Anh, Mai Anh and Ban Anh; and three great-grandchildren: Henry, Levi and Andie.

He will be missed dearly by his family and people who knew him.

He was predeceased by all his five siblings, three sons, one daughter-in-law and one granddaughter.

A teacher by training, he left his profession to join the army and rose to the rank of Colonel. Always a patriot, he loved and fought very hard for his country of South Vietnam and her people till the end of the Vietnam war. In 1994, he immigrated to Canada. The first thing he said to his oldest son, Dat, at the Lethbridge airport: "I am a free man now and intend to enjoy to the fullest the freedom provided by the best country in the world, Canada". Indeed he did, for 26 years until the day of his passing. As a family man, he cared deeply for his family, both close and extended. He was a tower of strength for our family through ups and downs. He always taught his children and grandchildren to work hard and be good and productive citizens in society.

He will always be with us everywhere we go and everything we do.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude for their kindness and wonderful loving care of Cuu : Dr.Dionne Walsh and the Palliative Care team; doctors and nurses: Dr. Mona Cassis, Dr. Lavens, nurse Danielle Coady and Home Care Nurses, St. Michael's Palliative Care Unit nurses especially nurse Celeste, CRH 4C unit nurses, Northside Sobeys pharmacists, EMS paramedics and Family Services Personal Care Aiders.

A Viewing will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 beginning at 5:30 PM. Please contact Cornerstone to RSVP.

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM with The Venerable Thich Thien Onang officiating. The service will be live streamed and may be accessed via Cuu obituary on the Cornerstone Website.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Cuu, donations may be made to St. Michael's Health Centre (covenantfoundation.ca/donate) or Jack Ady Cancer Centre (crhfoundation.ca).