Dr. Taesoo Luke Kim, 86, Massena

MASSENA – Dr. Taesoo Luke Kim, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated physician, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at age 86, surrounded by his loving family and dearest friends.

Dr. Kim was born in Daegu, South Korea, on February 7, 1939, the son of the late Young Hak and Jong Soo Kim.

He was a graduate of Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, class of 1963.

He married Cecilia Sunhee Lee on October 20, 1968, in South Korea.

In his desire to take his education to the next level, Dr. Kim fearlessly seized the opportunity to move to the United States and continue his medical training.

On January 1, 1969, he arrived in New York City where he completed his medical residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, specializing in internal medicine.

Upon completion of his residency, he earned his fellowship in gastroenterology.

During his time in the Bronx, he and his wife started their family with the birth of their first two children, Amy and Michael.

On September 1, 1975, he moved his family to Massena, NY to start his private medical practice located in the heart of town at 124 Main Street.

Soon after, they celebrated the birth of their third child, Julie.

In addition to his private practice, he worked tirelessly at Massena Memorial Hospital, where he once served as the Chief of Medicine. In addition, he served as a physician at the nursing homes in Massena, the health clinic on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation at Akwesasne, the Franklin Correctional Facility, and made house calls for those who were house-bound.

Dr. Kim continued his private practice until his retirement in 2007; during those 32 years, he took care of generations of patients in the community.

Post retirement, Dr. Kim chose to donate all of his medical equipment to a church in Romania and selflessly traveled there on a medical missionary trip.

Beyond his dedication to medicine, Dr. Kim lived a life filled with intellectual curiosity and creative pursuits, believing that every moment was an opportunity to learn, create, and nurture.

He served the community as a member of the Lions Club and as president from 1982-1983.

He was also a dedicated member of New Testament Church since 1981 serving as a deacon for many years. Those who knew him well knew that he was a bibliophile who found joy spending hours in the bookstore, amassing a prolific and diverse collection of books.

As a devout Christian, his collection of Bibles in different languages combined his passion for languages, books, and God.

Gardening was his passion, cultivating and harvesting a bounty of vegetables every summer.

His creative outlet was photography, and through the lens of his Canon camera, he captured not only family occasions and church events, but also the simple moments of beauty that surrounded him.

His bookshelf was lined with meticulously categorized books as well as countless photo albums documenting the lives of his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Most of all, Dr. Kim cherished his family. His commitment and his love was boundless and unconditional.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Cecilia; his children and their spouses, Amy and David Lim of Maplewood, New Jersey, Michael and Elisabeth Kim of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Julie and Lawrence Kwon of Brooklyn, New York; his grandchildren, Charles and Alexandra Lim, Keira and Collette Kim, and Lucas, Ella, and Marcus Kwon; his brothers, Jeung Yeul Kim and Chun Soo Kim, both of South Korea; and nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Donaldson Funeral Home in Massena, calling hours will be on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the New Testament Church, 265 Andrews Street, Massena.

Burial will be held privately.

Friends are encouraged to share memories and offer condolences online at www.donaldsonfh.com.

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