"Death is only the beginning - We love you every day and we will miss you every day"
With a very very heavy heart but with total acceptance of God's will, we announce the passing of our son, brother, nephew and friend, Francis Chukwuma Duru of Umunumo, Ehime Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria.
This memorial website is created in memory of our loved one, Francis Duru. Gone too Soon...We will remember him forever
Memorial Mass
Location: Holy Name Cathedral Chicago, Illinois
Address: 730 N. State Street, Chicago IL 60611 (parking available)
Date: Saturday, July 23, 2016
Time: 10.30am
Remembrance after mass; Share Memories & Stories
Location: Fourth Presbyterian Chicago, Illinois @ Anderson Hall
Address: 126 E. Chestnut Street, Chicago IL 60611
Time: 12.30pm - 4.00pm
Memorial Mass
Location: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Victoria Island, Lagos
Address: Musa Yar'Adua Street, Off Kofo Abayomi, VI, Lagos
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Time: 3.30pm
Funeral Mass
Thursday, August 4th at St. Charles Catholic Church Umunumo, Ehime Mbano @ 10.30am
Private Internment thereafter @ his residence Umunumo, Ehime Mbano Imo State, Nigeria
Outing Service
Sunday, August 7th at St. Charles Catholic Church Umunumo, Ehime Mbano
Unknowingly to us, we were from the same village, Ehime Mbano. Eventually, Francis started calling me his uncle and I made him eat Igbo foods. He was very charming, lovely, cheerful and peaceful young man. Franco was wonderfully funny. Despite being young, Francis had completed his task on earth. The world has witnessed his character and love to humanity.
Adieu, you were wonderful!
IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT FRANCIS, YOU WERE THE FIRST NIGERIAN I MET UPON ARRIVAL IN PENN STATE (HAPPY VALLEY) IN THE FALL OF 1995.
I WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN A VERY LIVELY CONVERSATION.
MAY GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS YOU AND ALL WHOM YOU EVER HELD DEAR TO YOUR HEART FOREVER, FOR ETERNITY… IN JESUS NAME.
It breaks my heart to know that you have departed this world. You were such an enigma, a great and amiable fellow. Just seeing your lovely smile and pictures, makes me realise that you are gone but the memories of you still stays on. Keep resting in the bosom of our Lord.
You will be missed terribly. You passing has left a hole in so many hearts. We are stunned and left in disbelief .
God give Chinwe, Emmanuel and all who knew you, the fortitude to get through this unimaginable sadness. Rest in Peace.
We were buddies all the way from FGCL to UI. Festac Town road dawgs. You always lit up the room. Always jovial. Never a dull moment. I was devastated to hear the news. You are sorely missed. May God continue to keep your family. We take solace in the knowledge that You are resting in peace with God.
Adieu Friend !!
"Francis,
I struggled to pen something together for so long,because I refused to accept you were truly gone. From primary school to your days at FGCL and then your QVD days at UI, you were such a delightful friend and I took it for granted that you will always be around.
Your departure has once again reminded me that our time here on earth is limited .Indeed we have to be purposeful to make our mark whilst we can. May God comfort Chinwe, Emmanuel and everyone you left behind. It still feels surreal! Adieu!!!"
On that faithful day, we heard of your passing. Unexpectedly, you have been snatched away from us. Together we cried for it was far too soon. We will miss your jokes, smile, and the gentle warmth that came from your heart. Though this saddens us, the joyful memories with you will remain.
Now, you will embark on this new journey that everyone must travel. Angels will guide and comfort you along the way. We know Heaven has prepared for your arrival. With the Lord’s favor, you will be welcomed. For you have been chosen by the Father to enter your true home.
Rest in Perfect Peace Francis!!!
From Uncle Chime, Aunty Rosie, Chime Jr., Elvy, Chigo & Chibu
Shared by Mike Neri on 07/13/2016
We were boys turning into young men
We hit UI from Lagos and decided we wanted to form like voltron and be the ultimate party starters
Soroh, Biola, Slumpy, Bayode, myself, Olis and "Franco" as we called him morphed into QVD (quo Vadis)
Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Raiders, Los Angeles kings, Oakland Raiders, Boston sox Baseball caps and actual baseball bats with umbrellas that morphed into walking sticks to follow we were the ultimate "East Coast family "boys to men "abc" "bbd" live in nigeria
All too fresh
Franco been the freshest (he was the youngest of us all)
We fought all the time but Francis was always the peaceful one
The man in everyone's middle to create peace in ur young hearts
Mofa palace: is where we all crashed
Franco and baye in one room
Biola and I in another right across from one another and Olis right opposite.
Soroh always perching with someone there so he might as well have lived there.
We were together daily for years (living together, school together, night time together, ate laughed argued loved - it was endless togetherness
I can't ever forget the kids laughter hiding behind them small specs that could Barely cover his face
Share
Though it had been quite a while since we last saw each other but thanks to technology, we were constantly in touch and to actually remember the last times we spoke and what we spoke about re: your hopes and plans in the new dispensation etc.
It remains hard to believe that you are no longer here as part of us, the old crew. Those of us who met/ knew you from when we were in our late teens will definitely have our various recollections of you from our glorious undergrad days in Ibadan and I certainly have my own personal memories of the time and moments we shared together even outside the university gates but most of all, I remember you just as has been described, as a gentleman, always non-confrontational and most of all, a loyal friend.
Both my siblings, the older one who co-incidentally taught you and Chinwe some computer science during his NYSC year and my younger one are just as shocked and express their sympathy.
Our collective prayers and thoughts at this time are with Chinwe and Emmanuel and may God grant your family, friends and loved ones the needed succour and strength.
In the words of my favourite musician, Gil Scott-Heron -- “Peace to you, brother… don't seem to matter much now what I say …. But I manage to smile and I say: Peace go with you brother”
Francis, this season (as others) will pass but your memories shall remain. Rest well as you travel.
Abiola Sonubi
It's been 30 years since I knew you
From secondary school in FGCL
You did your best to look out for me well
Our conversations about comics, home cooking and movies
Doing what we could to pass the time and those dreaded boarding house duties
We were just kids without a care for tomorrow
Never knowing i would one day write this with sorrow
In 2013 I was happy to reunite with you after so long
Who would have known a few years later you would be gone
Though in pain I refuse to cry
For if you knew Francis you would know why
Full of confidence with an infectious laugh, a big heart and a bright mind,
Till we meet again my brother in due time!
Heard the news with shock and disbelief!
And I asked myself and no one in particular could this be true?
Alas that is the sad and hard fact of life. Seen today gone tomorrow. Your calm exterior and peaceful countenance all the times I met you is all the memory I have of you. May your gentle soul rest in peace.
God will give Chinwe and Emmanuel and the entire Duru family the fortitude to bear this loss.
Adieu Francis God Knows best.
Chinwe and Emmanuel, my condolences to you both. Our prayers and heart goes to you as you deal with the loss of your beloved brother. We love you all.
Ocean of tears welled out from all of us in my family when we heard the news of your departure into the great beyond so early.
Our God of infinite mercy and love is the author of the life in us.
We pray to Him to grant you eternal life in Heaven on Judgment Day.
To your sister and brother, we pray to God to grant them peace and abundant grace to bear your departure till we meet again in Heaven.
Adieu Francis Chukwumh Duru.
Rest in Peace till we meet again.
Ocean of tears welled out from all of us in my family when we heard the news of your departure into the great beyond so early.
Our God of infinite mercy and love is the author of the life in us.
We pray to Him to grant you eternal life in Heaven on Judgment Day.
To your sister and brother, we pray to God to grant them peace and abundant grace to bear your departure till we meet again in Heaven.
Adieu Francis Chukwumh Duru.
Rest in Peace till we meet again.
You Blossomed and Flourished.
Like A Spark of Lightning,
You Blazed A Trail like No Other.
And Like A Soaring Eagle,
You left Us in Great Wonder.
Adieu Francis!
Rest in Perfect Peace.
Goodbye my dear, until we meet to part no more.
Rest in the bosom of Christ where there is no more "wahala".
Chinwe and Emmanuel my dear, God is still in charge and will surely comfort you. Remember I am always here for you!!
Chinwe and Emmanuel, I'm sorry, in so many ways. Peace.
Bye Francis .
This is a call every being must answer. But your call came too soon.May the Almighty have mercy and grant you a place on His bossom. Rest in Peace Francis and may the souls of your parents Eugene and Veronica Duru and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace . Amen
My brother. My most faithful friend. You, who believed in me when I doubted myself. You, who reached out to me when no one else would. You, who looked at in me in a light that I didn't look at myself. You, who cried at the airport the day I left Nigeria when we were kids. I will always love you, my brother. May your soul rest in peace and may God bless and protect your family. I will see you again soon, Franco.
Our hearts have been bleeding
Since Yours stopped.
Too far away to start it beating again.
No forewarning. No hints to get ready.
A better name, you could not have had
Chukwuma!
That was the prophetic characterization of your short life
By your parents Vero and Gene Duru.
While grieving your untimely
Much very untimely exit
We remember you fondly
For everything that connected us
For all the moments we shared together.
We are grateful for all your caring, love, understanding,
Wit, laugh, company and for not holding back the emotions
And for being just all you were!
Whether our roads will cross again
Chukwu ma – and in whatever form ever.
There are so many things you still wanted to accomplish.
We do not know whether you will
Continue working on them over there
Or whether you will send a string of ToDos
To those you left behind to accomplish them in your name.
With a heavy heart and humble submission
To what we cannot change
We bid you FAREWELL AND REST IN PEACE.
Ada, Chima, Auntie Gaby and Uncle Enyeribe.
Why?
There are a lot you left behind that you only could have given the best of your attention...... quite shocking to read of your passing-on....... surely we assume the Lord God's wish is supreme and will surly have you in his peaceful bosom place.....RIP
― Henry Scott Holland
May our good God show you Mercy even in death.
May your gentle soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God rest in perfect peace. Amen!
Francis Chukwuma Duru, may the good Lord bless your soul my beloved brother and my boss. We will mourn you till the light fades on our side.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; we are one in life and death.
#RestInPeace
Small Chinwe.
Leave a Tribute
Unknowingly to us, we were from the same village, Ehime Mbano. Eventually, Francis started calling me his uncle and I made him eat Igbo foods. He was very charming, lovely, cheerful and peaceful young man. Franco was wonderfully funny. Despite being young, Francis had completed his task on earth. The world has witnessed his character and love to humanity.
Adieu, you were wonderful!









Qvd
We were boys turning into young men
We hit UI from Lagos and decided we wanted to form like voltron and be the ultimate party starters
Soroh, Biola, Slumpy, Bayode, myself, Olis and "Franco" as we called him morphed into QVD (quo Vadis)
Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Raiders, Los Angeles kings, Oakland Raiders, Boston sox Baseball caps and actual baseball bats with umbrellas that morphed into walking sticks to follow we were the ultimate "East Coast family "boys to men "abc" "bbd" live in nigeria
All too fresh
Franco been the freshest (he was the youngest of us all)
We fought all the time but Francis was always the peaceful one
The man in everyone's middle to create peace in ur young hearts
Mofa palace: is where we all crashed
Franco and baye in one room
Biola and I in another right across from one another and Olis right opposite.
Soroh always perching with someone there so he might as well have lived there.
We were together daily for years (living together, school together, night time together, ate laughed argued loved - it was endless togetherness
I can't ever forget the kids laughter hiding behind them small specs that could Barely cover his face
Really kind soul..........
I remember the time Francis came home to Nigeria after so long away. He came to visit and met my then only-son, who was special needs! Francis and I spoke about so many things, particularly life's experiences! He picked up on my fears for my son and his future and realy encouraged me and assured me that he would be fine! I really appreciated that knowing he had come through a lot (the loss of both his parents)...to still be able to reach out...he showed so much empathy! What really endeared him to me that day was that he so connected with my son on such a level...having quite a conversation with him! Most people would normally not engage my son (the way Francis did that day) based on the assumption that his skills in this area were limited. However, Francis, being who he is, connected with my son and it was truly beautiful to watch them. God bless you, Francis, for that day...for spending time with us, particularly my son, and for playing with him and treating him with such respect and dignity..just by being so normal and easy with him...truly a gentle and kind soul....
I am also so grateful for the opportunity to re-connect with Francis at Chinwe's wedding. Those were truly happy times (Francis even helped us find our son who kept on getting lost wandering off to feed his fascination with video games...)! It was really fun being there and I will always cherish those memories, particularly the wonderful speech he gave for Chinwe...his love, respect and admiration for his sister (as well as his acknowledgement of her role in his and Emmanuel's lives, and his gratitude to her for taking on the role of mother and father on the tragic loss of their parents) was so evident and clear for all to see. Yet another trait of his was made evident that day...that he is a very sensitive person...a unique and beautiful soul.....
Francis, we hold on to our memories of you! Thank you for being truly good, truly kind! I pray you are at peace with God who loves you most....
We love you. God bless you!!!
Florence (Flo)