Thomas D. Huey dies at 90
November 9, 1935 – March 23, 2026
Thomas Huey was born in Toisan District, Guangdong Province, China, in 1935 and immigrated to the United States in 1949 at the age of 13. Initially living in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Thomas graduated from Seward Park High School, where he excelled in machinery and woodworking and was an accomplished swimmer and diver.
In 1959, Thomas moved to Princeton, started a family with his wife, Gloria, and took over the family business, the Princeton Tea Garden restaurant at 36 Witherspoon Street, which operated as an important fixture of the town and gown community for 20 years. Subsequently, the Huey family finally settled on a beautiful property in Montgomery Township, where he lived for 60 years.
In the 1970s, Thomas designed and managed with his partners his next successful business, the Dragon Inn restaurant in Flemington, for about 20 years. Also during this time, Tom’s strong skills as a self-taught mechanic and handyman enabled him to manage several of his own rental properties.
In his leisure time, Thomas was a prolific gardener of Chinese vegetables, bonsai, and exotic plants. He loved animals and enjoyed raising fish in the ponds at his home in Montgomery, as well as on his 50-acre farm in Hunterdon County, now part of the Wickecheoke Creek Preserve. Despite the challenging life of the restaurant business, Thomas always made time for his beloved family, and in his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling around the world with family and friends.
Thomas is predeceased by his parents Edward and Mae King Huey, and survived by his wife of 67 years, Gloria (M. Dong); children Sueling Huey, Maeling Langer, Michael Huey and his wife Yvonne, and Eveling Rosario and her husband Jay; and 8 cherished grandchildren, Frances, Eric, Sierra, Devin, Justin, Gregory, Evangeline, and Thomas Edward. He is also survived by his dear sister Elizabeth Moy and her husband, Sen.
Thomas will be proudly remembered for his perseverance, generosity, kindness, and respect for others.
A funeral service for Thomas was held on March 28, 2026. He was laid to rest in the Princeton Memorial Park in Robbinsville.
Memorial contributions in Thomas’ name may be made to the New Jersey Conservation Foundation www.njconservation.org
