Cuong Nguyen, known locally as “Tony the Tailor” since opening his Wellesley shop in the 1980s, has passed away peacefully at the age of 70.
Nguyen, of Randolph, died on Nov. 18, and a private service has been held.
He is survived by his wife, Bay Le, and 4 children.
Nguyen immigrated to the United States from South Vietnam in 1975, having been a tailor, and then a paratrooper in the military before arriving here.
He worked for a tailoring business in downtown Wellesley before going out on his own some 40 years ago in Lower Falls, adopting the name “Tony the Taylor.”
His shop operates at 21 Washington St., as a family business.
According to his son, Chien, Nguyen was an expert tailor (“He was very quick”), and that was his favorite part about running his business, which also offers dry cleaning.
“He very much enjoyed his work and making people happy,” Chien said.
Customers have shared tributes to Nguyen, including that “You were part of so many of our life events —proms, weddings. It was a comfort that things were always done so perfectly!”
Outside of work, Nguyen liked to dine out and travel, but mainly relished spending time with his family.
We share our condolences with family and friends.
If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
I too have wonderful memories of Tony and his dear wife for their professionalism and skill. . They were always lovely and desirous of making you very pleased with their work. My condolences to Tony’s wife and their four children..
Barbara Palmieri Selame
Tony’s sudden passing came as a shock.
My wife and I were Tony’s customers from the very start of Tony the Tailor. A highly talented and friendly person. He will be missed. Our condolences to the family.
Bay, we are so sorry to hear this very sad news..Tony was, and you are , so much a part of the very fiber of this town.. With great sympathy …The Ewing’s
I remember meeting “Tony“ when he first worked at Lorraine Cleaners in Wellesley Square in the 70s. I was so pleased when he saved enough money to open his own place in Wellesley Lower Falls. I’ve been a loyal customer ever since. . He and his wife, Bey have always been so kind to me and my late husband Danny. They bonded over flowers, especially the wonderful hibiscus bushes in the front window. and the garden of plants and flowers ne t to the driveway.. As we say in the Jewish tradition, May his memory be a blessing.
We too are long time customers of Tony and his family business and are so sad to read this news. Maybe he rest in peace. In sympathy, The McCarthys
Deanna, you were the one who first recommended Tony to me. I have been a customer ever since.
A wonderful person and very hard worker.