Pea Hwa Tu, a humble and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Embassy Manor in Edison, New Jersey, surrounded by his loving family. He was 97 years old.

Pea Hwa was born on September 27, 1929, in Tsingtao, China (now Qingdao), where he spent his early years and attended the Naval Academy. While serving in the Navy, he traveled aboard a battleship to Norfolk, Virginia. When civil war broke out in China in 1947, he was unable to return home and ultimately made his way to Taiwan. It was there that he met the love of his life, Yu Hsiumei. They were married in 1954 and shared 66 beautiful years together, building a life centered on faith, kindness, and family.

Pea Hwa retired from naval service in 1973 and went on to work as a ship captain in Taiwan’s energy shipping industry, captaining oil tankers until his retirement in 1994. Afterward, Pea Hwa and Yu Hsiumei moved to the United States to be closer to family, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

A gifted athlete in his youth, Pea Hwa was a champion swimmer, an accomplished gymnast, and an enthusiastic dancer who loved ballroom dancing so much he would wear out a pair of shoes each week. Even in his later years, he remained remarkably strong. Yet beyond his talents, he will be remembered most for his gentle spirit, humility, strong integrity, and deep gratitude for life’s blessings. He quietly led by example, raising a loving family and touching many lives through his kindness.

Pea Hwa was a devoted member of Cornerstone Christian Church, where he worshiped faithfully alongside his family, including his children, who serve in Christian ministry. His life reflected his faith in his daily actions—steady, compassionate, and generous of heart.

He is reunited in eternal rest with his beloved wife, Yu Hsiumei Tu. He leaves behind his four children, Janet Tu (husband Kang Shiah), Debbie Shen (husband Chuck), David Tu (wife Meiyu Chen) and Charles Tu (wife Liming Tsao), her grandchildren, Kenny Hsu (wife Joyce), Helen Tarrach (husband Kent), Christine Dormeier (husband Nick), Jonathan Shen (wife Nurieley), Jason Tu, Rebecca Tu, Joshua Tu, Alethia Tu, Arielle Tu and her great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Hannah, Sarah, Weston, Arden, Leighton, Benjamin, Henry, Jacob, Naesha and Asher all of whom were blessed by his wisdom, devotion, and gentle love.

Funeral services will be held privately. Pea Hwa will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at Somerset Hills Memorial Park.