Hoa Tu Lam's Obituary
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Hoa Tu Lam, 74, of Oakland, California, passed away on April 24, 2026. Born on July 7, 1951, Mr. Lam is fondly remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly in the restaurant industry, working 12-hour days to provide for his family. Even after surviving a stroke in 2018, Mr. Lam continued to demonstrate remarkable strength, leaving a legacy of perseverance, generosity, and love for his family.
Mr. Lam arrived in the United States as a refugee from the Vietnam War in February 1981 with his wife Phuong Tran, five children, sister Mindy, and brother Vincent.
With only a fourth-grade education and no knowledge of the English language, Mr. Lam began his journey in America as a dishwasher - the only work he could find. He quietly observed and learned the inner workings of the kitchen and took initiative to help the kitchen staff. He was quickly promoted to prep staff. Curious and driven, he eventually learned to cook by watching the chefs at work. He practiced every day after work, and was promoted to chef in just two years.
Embracing hard work and risk, Mr. Lam opened and operated his own restaurant in Hayward, CA for 15 years, working 365 days a year. He never took a day off, even at the urging of his children. After retirement, his passion for the culinary world never faded; he continued to work in the food and beverage industry for more than 40 years.
Mr. Lam is remembered for his love of cooking and sharing a meal. He takes great satisfaction in making delicious food for family and friends, always serving with generosity and an open heart.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Phuong Tran; daughter Marcia Lam and husband John Lee; daughter Cinda Amyx and husband Scott Amyx; son Greg Lam and wife Mei Fu; Peter Lam and wife Ana Li; son Seven Lam and wife Nicolette Cheung; grandchildren Karmin, Mackenzie, Jakob, Christian, Isaak, Keira, Megan, James, Chloe, and Mason. Mr. Lam is now reunited with his youngest daughter, Lisa Lam, in heaven.
A traditional Chinese funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 14, with open house hours from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Mirage Banquet Hall, 2258 MacArthur Blvd in Oakland, CA. Family and friends are invited to attend at their convenience.
The funeral ceremony will conclude on Friday, with visitation and services taking place at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave in Oakland, CA, 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Dr., in Richmond, CA. All who wish to pay their respects are welcome to attend these final services.
Immediately after the burial, everyone is welcome to join the family for lunch at Lin Jia Asian Kitchen, 3437 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA.
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