It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our father, Mr. Kinh Lam, on November 14, 2023. Born on June 5, 1953, he lived his life with positivity, selflessness, and boundless care for those around him.

Kinh was the youngest of nine siblings and his life was one of great courage and resilience. In the face of adversity following the end of the Vietnam War, Kinh managed to flee Saigon by boat. He survived the challenging passage and ended up in a refugee camp in Malaysia. While waiting for resettlement assignments, he bravely chose Sweden, a place he did not know much about. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one that saw him make a brave journey to Sweden and build a new life in a foreign land.

One of his most admirable achievements was his role in bringing his family to Sweden. He sponsored his wife, several family members, and two of his older siblings to migrate to Sweden, ensuring that they too could have a fresh start and a life away from the difficulties in their homeland.

After waiting for more than 10 years for a Visa, in 1998, he forged a new path and along with his wife and three children, moved to San Diego, California. Kinh's dream had always been to open up his own bakery business in the U.S, so while he worked and saved up for his dream, he and his wife began working inside the bakery department at 99 Ranch Market. In 2001, they opened up Sorrento European Bakery in San Diego and began selling European-style pastries, birthday, and wedding cakes. It became a family affair as all three of us kids would go to help and work at the bakery after getting out of class.

The life lessons Kinh shared were profound in their simplicity. His strong belief in hard work, dedication, and determination was reflected in the mantra he lived by: "You can achieve anything you work hard for and put your mind to." This philosophy, coupled with his enduring spirit, shaped his life and the lives of those who were fortunate to know him.

Kinh will be remembered not only for his accomplishments but also for his endearing personality. His legacy will be that of kindness and generosity; values that he held dear to his heart and demonstrated through his actions. His memory will continue to inspire us to live life with the same compassion and resilience that he embodied. 

Our dad was always there for us.  He worked hard every day of his life to provide for his family. After the bakery was closed and he was nearing retirement age, he still worked two part-time jobs in two different bakeries to make ends meet.  He was the kind of father who would look forward to and ask us more than a week in advance what we were craving so that he could plan what to cook for us.  He would plan, bake, and execute an array of desserts and baked goods for his grandkids’ birthday parties, and found joy in baking traditional Swedish pastries in his home kitchen for friends or family visiting.  It was how he showed others he loved them.

In lieu of flowers, we are raising funds in his honor for the Buddhist Temple that our dad frequented: Bao Son Temple. Contributions can be made through the following URL: https://everloved.com/life-of…. Your donations will serve as a tribute to Kinh's lifelong dedication to kindness, generosity, and the nurturing of spiritual connection. Our family thanks you very much.

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