Mr. Say Chou

UTICA - Mr. Say Chou, age 49, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019 at MVHS at St. Luke’s Healthcare. Born in Laos on April 1, 1969, Say was the son of Cheng Chou and the late Sima Mon. He also knew the love of his step-mother Sarng Uon. His parents started their family in Laos and moved to Cambodia in 1975. They relocated to a refugee camp in Thailand in 1979, and in 1984, the family was sponsored to the United States and settled in Massachusetts. In 1990, Say became a Monk and moved to Washington state. In 1992, he returned to Massachusetts and left the Buddhist Monk calling to join the workforce where he was employed by various factories. In 2001, he moved to Utica with all his family members. But, in 2008, Say rejoined the Monks at a temple in Lowell, Massachusetts and as a monk, he traveled all over the United States and dedicated his life to helping others and promoting peace through the Buddhist philosophy. His plans were altered in 2015 as he was starting his own temple in Minnesota and suffered a severe stroke, leaving his right side paralyzed. In 2016, his family brought him back to Utica to care for him. As a person of the world, Say was incredibly compassionate and generous with his time and teaching. He was a father-figure to so many and was truly selfless to the faith community. A man of many skills, he was blessed with the gift of a healer. He spoke many languages fluently including Lao, Cambodian, Thai, Indian, and Chinese, and was able to write in the languages as well. Say traveled to Cambodia on several occasions to help construct temples. The art of tattooing was a natural talent for him, and he was proficient in traditional as well as current methods. Say is survived by his father, Cheng Chou and step-mother, Sarng Uon; his sister, Lean Chou; brothers, Bour Chou, Yann Chou, Samnang Chou, and Neang Chou; and his many nieces and nephews whom he loved like his own children: Christina ThongThip, Sandy ThongThip, Janny ThongThip, Phaorrahanh ThongThip, Landa ThongThip, Anon Sao, Keomony Sao, Sainari Sao, Ethan Yann, Audrey Yann, Jacob Chou, Kaylee Chou, and Kason Chou. Say’s Bang Skol ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 2 from 2:00-4:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. The Monks from the Wat Satheathek Uticaram Buddhist Community Temple will accompany Say at 5:00 pm to Chenango Valley Crematorium at 3 Preston Street in Earlville, NY.

Mr. Say Chou

April 1, 1969 - January 25, 2019