Sonthu Kem

Sonthu Kem, 55, of Sicklerville, NJ passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2022. He was born on October 16, 1966 in Cambodia, the fourth youngest of eight. In 1981, he and his family immigrated to the United States and lived his teenage years and early adulthood in Falls Church, VA. In 1990, Sonthu graduated from Norfolk University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics Engineering. On June 20, 1992, Sonthu married his wife Vanna. For 29 years, he worked at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Additionally, together with Vanna, they opened the S.K. Restaurant & Bar in Philadelphia, PA in December 2004, which has continued to be open for business. Sonthu dedicated his life to supporting his family. Through sickness and health, he supported his wife through the good and bad times. Through his hard work, he supported all of his kids in completing college while passing down his values of family, friends, and life. Sonthu was known for his value of friends and family, the importance of respecting others, and his pride of being Cambodian. It is these traits and values he instilled in his children through his demonstrations of his own relationships and experiences. Sonthu was known for his appreciation of food. He believed that through food, no matter what nationality or background, people could be connected. He would be seen offering different food or first time recipes to friends and family, and even to customers at the bar. Food was his version of his love language, and people knew that if he was hosting an event or inviting them over, there was always going to be a heartfelt meal.Sonthu was a husband, a father, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, an uncle. He was a friend to many. And, he will be greatly missed, remembered, and loved by all who knew him.Sonthu is survived by his wife Vanna and their children, Sonna, Sonnita, Sonthavy and Sonthara, and his six siblings, Vannak Kem, Mony Heng, Charey Te, Sonthi Kem, Sontho Kem, and Sontheary “Terrie” Dillon.