A TRIBUTE TO A BELOVED BROTHER
On the day before your transition, you were still full of life and we all shared your usual humours, and recalled those jokes and expressions we had when we were young. Hardly did we have any sign that you were going to leave us never to be heard again the following day.
At the hour of your transition, our hearts were so sorrowful even unto death by your bedside. The Will of the Almighty God prevailed, and we give Glory to God, for your life well spent.
You took over the leadership of the Nwaeze family by in 1992 the year our parents had passed out.
For 23 years you served the family as the most loving leader, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather. Your leadership during this period welded the family and the extended families into one unit. You had wisdom, good counseling fortitude, and above all humility and love. You left an indelible mark on the minds of every one of us on the good qualities of your leadership, understanding, that took all members of the family to greater heights in life. The family during your leadership witnessed great transformation with the help of the Almighty Father.
You also extended your leadership role to the service of the Church at various occasions. You were at a stage the Vice Chairman of the Pastoral Council of our Saint Augustine Catholic Church Ibusa, the highest office for the laity in the Church. At the creation of the new parish of St. Thomas, you were a prime member of the pastoral council that carried out the building of the Church where we are today having your funeral service
You were a man of prayers, Charity, and lived most part of your life in the service of the Lord and humanity. May God bless and accept your soul.
You and I have always been one even up to the last hour you left. We loved and cherished each other, and could not do without one another. Can you imagine my feelings at your transition my beloved brother! It is only the heavens that have an answer to this.
You battled life as a colossus and never at any moment despaired. You excelled in all that you laid your hands on and your record of achievement has been a source of envy and inspiration to all of us who know and cherish you. You were an embodiment of success and love in life..Your love had no borders. You were a friend to all, a friend to Lazarus.
How true is your exit? Many have expressed this view with numerous telephone calls. We never expected it at the moment it occurred. Oh yes the prophecy in the bible must be fulfilled. No one knows the hour that it will come. The Lord’s calling came at the time of your total fulfillment on earth. You were a great man, a great thinker, a great achiever and above all you had love, charity and humility.
Before your transition on your sick bed, you received the Holy Eucharist, and we all prayed with you and members of the Legion of Mary. You stretched your hands to the heavens, appreciating God in his eternal Glory. You have really fought a good fight, You have run the race and completed the race on earth, and you have kept the faith in the Lord. The Crown of righteousness prepared for all the faithful by the Lord shall truly be yours and the Lord God will surely Crown you with it we pray.
You were born on a Sunday and died on a Sunday. Sunday is the day of the Resurrection of our Lord. You will surely meet the Lord in paradise on that day, We pray.
We all mourn your death, and will never forget you.
Great Icon, man of humble heart and love, man of peace, fare thee well my beloved brother.
Engr. JOE NWAEZE