Obituary for Phouy Sengsourinh
Phouy Sengsourinh, age 78, passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021. He was born and raised in Ban Chieng Dong or what is known today as Son La, Vietnam. At the age of 26, Phouy first moved to England before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1970 while working at the World Language institute as a Lao language instructor. He raised his family in Vicenza, Italy, and later in Gaithersburg, MD. Phouy recently moved to Bradley Beach, NJ, and was enjoying living by the ocean!
After becoming a U.S. Citizen in 1976, Phouy proudly served his new country in the United States Army and later went on to work for the United States Department of Defense. While in the Army, he pursued an education in IT which gave him an opportunity to bring his Family to the US post in Vicenza, IT. He would become the manager of the ADP in charge of all data processing on the post. In 1992, Phouy brought his family back to the US to Gaithersburg, MD. After continuing as an IT specialist with the US Dept. of Defense at the Pentagon, Phouy was offered an opportunity to work for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He built a successful IT specialist team and retired (for the first time) after accomplishing his goal of building the IT infrastructure for the newly built, Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Retiring as a GS-15 Supervisory IT Specialist; Phouy reached the highest civilian rank possible. Phouy could not stay home for long and next took an opportunity to become the Vice President of Technology for the Corcoran Gallery of Art. After 4 years, Phouy retired again to spend time with his family and travel.
Always an athlete, Phouy was an avid tennis player. He was known to play tennis seven days a week, often multiple times a day! Phouy played in numerous USTA leagues across the country, and with friends all over the world. He would often be recruited by opposing teams because of his BIG serve and consistent high level of play. Phouy often won his matches, but it was the joy of being on the court, meeting people and having an instant connection that gave him the most happiness. Tennis was his door to the world.
Phouy’s pride and joy were his wife, two dogs, Tuffy and Rosie, four children and six grandchildren. When not playing tennis, Phouy enjoyed spending time cooking for his family, taking long walks on the beach, and enjoying his beloved linguini and clam sauce and bread pudding.
Phouy was predeceased by his parents Phom Van Hoang and Hoang Thi Va, his brothers Phong Sengsouringh, Kham Sengsourinh, and his Father and Mother-in- Law Michael and Virginia Cleffi.
Phouy is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Michele, his children; Ketkeo Sengsouvanh and her husband, Khamsay. Kesone Rattanavilay and her husband, Saysouvahn, Matthew Sengsourinh and his wife, Kristin, Noelle Sengsourinh and her husband, Josh. His cherished grandchildren, Elodye Rattanavilay, Christiana Rattanaviay, Anny Rattanavilay, Quentin Sengsouvahn, Amandine Rattanavilay, and Penelope Sengsourinh- Garnant, his Brother Chuc Sengsourinh and his wife, Maly, sister-in-law Pamela Rabadi, brother-in- law Jonathan Cleffi, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Phouy was a constant source of love and support for his entire family, and everyone he encountered. He often shared many words of wisdom that they will carry with them forever. Phouy has had a huge impact on many people throughout his life and will be greatly missed by everyone he met along the way.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests considering a donation in memory of Phouy Sengsourinh to LegaciesofWar.org.
After becoming a U.S. Citizen in 1976, Phouy proudly served his new country in the United States Army and later went on to work for the United States Department of Defense. While in the Army, he pursued an education in IT which gave him an opportunity to bring his Family to the US post in Vicenza, IT. He would become the manager of the ADP in charge of all data processing on the post. In 1992, Phouy brought his family back to the US to Gaithersburg, MD. After continuing as an IT specialist with the US Dept. of Defense at the Pentagon, Phouy was offered an opportunity to work for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He built a successful IT specialist team and retired (for the first time) after accomplishing his goal of building the IT infrastructure for the newly built, Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. Retiring as a GS-15 Supervisory IT Specialist; Phouy reached the highest civilian rank possible. Phouy could not stay home for long and next took an opportunity to become the Vice President of Technology for the Corcoran Gallery of Art. After 4 years, Phouy retired again to spend time with his family and travel.
Always an athlete, Phouy was an avid tennis player. He was known to play tennis seven days a week, often multiple times a day! Phouy played in numerous USTA leagues across the country, and with friends all over the world. He would often be recruited by opposing teams because of his BIG serve and consistent high level of play. Phouy often won his matches, but it was the joy of being on the court, meeting people and having an instant connection that gave him the most happiness. Tennis was his door to the world.
Phouy’s pride and joy were his wife, two dogs, Tuffy and Rosie, four children and six grandchildren. When not playing tennis, Phouy enjoyed spending time cooking for his family, taking long walks on the beach, and enjoying his beloved linguini and clam sauce and bread pudding.
Phouy was predeceased by his parents Phom Van Hoang and Hoang Thi Va, his brothers Phong Sengsouringh, Kham Sengsourinh, and his Father and Mother-in- Law Michael and Virginia Cleffi.
Phouy is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Michele, his children; Ketkeo Sengsouvanh and her husband, Khamsay. Kesone Rattanavilay and her husband, Saysouvahn, Matthew Sengsourinh and his wife, Kristin, Noelle Sengsourinh and her husband, Josh. His cherished grandchildren, Elodye Rattanavilay, Christiana Rattanaviay, Anny Rattanavilay, Quentin Sengsouvahn, Amandine Rattanavilay, and Penelope Sengsourinh- Garnant, his Brother Chuc Sengsourinh and his wife, Maly, sister-in-law Pamela Rabadi, brother-in- law Jonathan Cleffi, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Phouy was a constant source of love and support for his entire family, and everyone he encountered. He often shared many words of wisdom that they will carry with them forever. Phouy has had a huge impact on many people throughout his life and will be greatly missed by everyone he met along the way.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests considering a donation in memory of Phouy Sengsourinh to LegaciesofWar.org.