Tam “Ricky” Huynh Obituary in Rockford at Tony Gasparini Funerals

Obituaries & Death Notices

Tam “Ricky” Huynh

Passed 04/08/2024

Obituary For Tam “Ricky” Huynh

Tam “Ricky” Huynh, a devoted family man, fixer of all things, smooth dancer, and a formidable opponent on ping pong and pickleball courts alike, passed away on April 8. He was 62.

A Vietnamese native who made a home in northern Illinois for more than four decades, Huynh built the life and community he had by always showing up: No problem was too futile, too impractical, nor too overwhelming for him to tackle, and getting elbow-deep into the weeds with anyone who needed him was one of his life’s greatest pleasures. If you needed a car tire replaced, he’d be on it. If your driveway needed shoveling, he’d come by. If you irrevocably burned a pot of rice, he’d show up with chopsticks to gobble up the blackened grains.

The third child of a merchant family in what was then called Saigon, Huynh aspired to become a successful surgeon when he grew up. But until then, he and his two brothers made the most of their relatively comfortable life in South Vietnam’s capital, ditching their guardians after school to play soccer and race their motorcycles through crowded city streets and alleyways. But with the civil war that inflamed, then finally consumed Saigon in 1975, his family’s life of leisure came to an abrupt end. Through massive effort, his parents scraped together just enough money to send their third child, then just 17 years old, out of the war-ravaged country in 1978.

Decades later, he would tell his children that everything he did was to grant them the kind of life he’d never had: one full of stability, memorable vacations, karaoke nights, and any opportunity they wanted. He would do anything to create that for them, whether that meant working night shifts at his mechanical engineering job or dropping everything to assist with whatever home or car projects they needed to get done.

For his siblings, who joined him in the United States later on, he would also do anything and everything to make sure they were OK – even if that meant driving across the country just to help around the house. Feeling needed, and watching the outcomes of his labors play out in the lives of others, was what made him happy. That, and drinking a couple of beers in the garage with family and friends after a long day, of course.

Friends who met him on the pickleball court admired him for his obsession with the game, though his competitive streak never got in the way of his willingness to mentor those who asked for help. A nationally ranked ping pong player, Huynh came to pickleball during the pandemic and was always down for a match.

The day he passed away, his friends said, he was playing especially well.

He is survived by his two children from his first marriage, Antoin Huynh and Joselyn Rand (Ryan); his second wife, Dung Nguyen; two stepchildren, Thien and Nam Huynh; and siblings Thi Hoa Huynh and Thanh Tam Huynh (Ngoc Mai). He will be joining his first wife Chi Huynh, father Huynh Van Be, mother Nguyen Thi My, brother Phu Vinh Huynh and brother-in-law Van Tinh Nguyen, and sister-in-law Thi Ngoc Huong Tran in heaven.

A visitation will be held at Tony Gasparini Funeral Home – Cremation Society of IL (6825 Weaver Road, Rockford, IL) on April 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral will take place on April 16 at Holy Family Catholic Church (4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL) at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery (8616 West State Street, Winnebago, IL).

Services

15 Apr

Visitation

04:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Tony Gasparini Funerals 6825 Weaver Rd. Rockford, IL 61114 Get Directions »

16 Apr

Funeral Mass

11:00 AM

Holy Family Catholic Church 4401 Highcrest Road Rockford, IL 61107 Get Directions »

16 Apr

Burial

02:00 PM

Calvary Catholic Cemetery 8616 W State Road Winnebago, IL 61088 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

04/15/2024

Andrius and Bonnie Coleman

Tam, my biggest wish is that we had more time with you. We love you a lot and your little guy will miss you so much. We will do our best to keep your love company as often as we are able to.
04/15/2024

Liem Ly

Anh Tâm, I just played pickleball with you 2 days before you left us. We met at Victory Pickleball and it was destiny. We had much in common. Sadly I got to spend only 6 months with you. Those are unforgettable memories that will stay with me forever. Ricky was a true friend. He was generous, positive, kind, and helpful. He was talented and skillful in table tennis and pickleball, sports that brought us together. Ricky always demonstrated the sportsmanship in every game, win or loose. We were going to retire with paddles in our hands. Surprisingly, our paths crossed in Grand Rapids, Michigan where we had the same ties there and when we discovered we were neighbors in Saigon before the war in Vietnam. Our journey for freedom and opportunities brought us, "boat people" together around the world. God works wonders. I will miss my good friend with memories of tea time watching the sun sets by the bonfire. I will miss the ping pong and pickleball matches during which you coached and gave me tips. I remember most the recent fun karaoke get together with your friends and family. May God bless you and your family. Liem Ly
04/12/2024

Peter Milinkovic

Ricky was a dear friend of mine good co worker trainer fishing partner he would do anything for you he will never be forgotten ❤️ I will miss him.My Condolences to family and friends.
04/12/2024

Benjamin (6 Lúa)

Gởi đến anh trai nhỏ nhửng lời chúc mến thương nhất khi anh đả vỉnh viển rời xa em để sụm họp với nhửng người thân yêu nhất trên cỏi vỉnh hằng đối với 6 nhửng thời gian gặp gở trên đất Úc nhửng kỷ niêm đẹp hạnh phúc cùng đùa gian thật khó quên. thương chúc anh một giấc ngủ ngàn thứ hạnh phúc. em 6 lúa
04/12/2024

Omar Jasso

In the handful times that I had the pleasure of interacting with him, I knew Tam was a peacefully relentless man. His light showed in his home, Charcoal, Joselyn and Antoin, and will shine on for long here on earth. As heartbreaking as it is to see his loved ones here bound to the pain of his life's departure, I hope some comfort is found in knowing that he is very lovingly ushered by his late family in the heavens. "When the day arrives, I'll become the sky and I'll become the sea; and the sea will come to kiss me, for I am going home."
04/11/2024

Michael Ballard

So sorry for your loss. May God wrap His loving arms around your family during this time and shower you with love, peace, and comfort. In the 12+ years working with Ricky he always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word for me. He will truly be missed.
04/11/2024

Tran Nguyen

Our sincerest condolences for the loss of your beloved father, brother, spouse. He was an amazing person and we have many loving memories of our time together. May he rest in peace.
04/11/2024

Zachary Madere

I remember his surprise arrival to Twan's photography show at a gallery and seeing both of their faces light up. You could see the fatherly pride at his sons work and I think that in that moment he saw that Twan was living the life he'd wanted and worked so hard for to attain for his children. May he have a peaceful rest.

Tributes

Ken essington planted 5 trees in memory of Tam “Ricky” Huynh . - 04/15/2024
Mixed Spray was sent for Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/15/2024
Ocean Devotion was sent for Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/14/2024
Faithful Friend Standing Spray was sent for Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/14/2024
Precious Heart Bouquet was sent for Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/14/2024
Peace & Serenity Dishgarden was sent for Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/13/2024
Wendy Le planted 10 trees in memory of Tam “Ricky” Huynh . - 04/12/2024
Oni McCoy sent Heavenly & Harmony for Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/12/2024

Joselyn & Family, We want to share our deepest condolences for this great loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Your Synergis Family
5 Trees were planted in memory of Tam “Ricky” Huynh - 04/12/2024