Joseph (Joe as he was fondly called) was born on March 11, 1955 in Kafanchan, Nigeria. He attended Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria where he graduated in 1972. He then obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Benin, Edo State followed by a Master of Science degree in Wood Products Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Oyo, State, Nigeria.

Joe was employed at Delta Steel Company (DSC), Warri, Delta State followed by National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State until 1990. He created Wood Links LLC a furniture company where he fully dedicated his passion until his passing. He is survived by his wife and 3 children.

Joe will be remembered as man of great integrity and strength who loved his family and friends immeasurably.

Dear Papa, 

I put off writing this so many times because I knew it would be an extremely emotional experience for me.  Right now, I recall you telling me to be strong for mama and my siblings, but it seems difficult do without you around. Papa, words alone cannot describe how eternally grateful I am for having you as a father. You were indeed specially chosen for Egbadon, Zafe and I from heaven. Everyone is talking about how you were a model father and husband, an undeniable fact. I almost feel guilty because I’m not sure I told you enough how much I appreciated all the unending sacrifices you made. I guess I never imagined you would be gone so soon.

As far back as I can remember my childhood, I was showered with overwhelming love from you and Mama. Papa you taught me everything I know. I remember how you painstakingly taught me Algebra and Calculus.  We are all Engineers because of you. You made Egbadon and I write essays whenever we travelled and experienced something new. Everyone is always surprised how dexterous I am, a trait I obviously picked up from you. You taught us how to drive. You taught us countless life lessons one of which is the importance of friendships. I recall all the stories about your oldest and closest friends. 

You were a pillar of strength. I would never forget December 2010 when you carried me several flights of stairs to my apartment on the third floor because I was too weak to climb on my own after a surgery. When you became ill I saw how hard you fought. No matter how much pain you were in, every time you were asked how you were doing, you always replied “I’m fine,” with the broadest smile. You were indeed the strongest man I know.

Papa you were always there for us but there are still so many more things I wanted to do with you. I wish we had more time with you. I am finding it very difficult to imagine a life without your guidance and incessant support. However, I have to make peace with the fact that heaven has requested you back just the same way you were gifted to us. I will hold on to all the memories we made and I will forever miss you. You’ve taught us everything we need to thrive, but I look forward to the day when we are finally reunited. I love you so much Papa. Rest in perfect peace.

From your loving daughter,

Aide Udegbe

Dear Papa,

I’ve finally mustered the courage to compose a tribute to you, to commemorate your eminently untimely passing. The mere idea that you are not with us is still so difficult to grapple with. You fought against your ailment so valiantly, for so long! You bore the mantle like a champ, constantly reassuring us of your wellbeing and assuaging our concerns with your characteristic aura of calm. But when the burden became too heavy, God in His infinite mercy decided it was time to liberate you from your pain. While we are all deeply hurt by your loss, we take some comfort in the knowledge that you are forever free from all suffering. 

Since the news, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the man that you were. Simply put, you were a man driven by a selfless and uncompromising commitment to your family. Right from a tender age when your father moved in with us after your mom’s passing, you instilled in us what it truly meant to support your family. You had two children in boarding school in Jos and Abuja, on the opposite end of the country, yet you were nearly a constant at every visiting day, every airport run, ever-present when we needed you. There are countless other examples but throughout your lifetime, you truly embodied what it means to place everything secondary to your family. 

So, as I reflect on your legacy, several of your career and personal achievements come to mind, but perhaps one of your most indelible imprints is the impact you’ve had on your family in making us the best we can be. When I sit here today and think about my achievements and every nuance of my character, I start to recall all the grueling math exercises and essay-writing during holidays, all the chess and table tennis lessons, the summer camps, the guitar lessons, making me listen to jazz, and I realize that every fiber of who I am is a direct result of what you put into my life. I have a father who was relentless in his desire to propel me to the pinnacle of my potential, and to help me realize my dreams. There is simply no way I would be where I am today without you. I get it now, and I can’t wait to have my own children so I can move them up to the next rung.

How does Heaven feel? After all the physical, mental and emotional turmoil you had to endure at the tail end of your momentous lifetime, we are uplifted knowing that you are smiling down on us. We take solace in the fact that you are now reunited with your Maker, Baba, Mama, Daddy and Mummy. You have never been the one for ceremony, but we know that you are in attendance as we celebrate your life today, and you are wearing that radiant smile of yours. We will never stop missing you, but it’s now our turn to assure you that we’ll be strong and continue support each other. We’ll forever hold on to the fond memories and the joy you brought to all our lives, till we meet again.

Love from your dearest son,

Egbadon Udegbe

Hello Everyone, my name is Zafe Udegbe and I am my father’s youngest and favorite daughter, even though he claimed to have no favorites. One of the many things my dad is known for is his love for math and also how he tried to instill this same love for math in his children. I remember a few times when I was younger, he would be so frustrated when I couldn’t understand “simple” math concepts. What he used to do in times like these was provide his own example that was usually different from what my teacher or textbook would propose. His examples were sort of like a Master key. He would tell me to practice different problems but refer back to the examples whenever I got confused. I even remember during some of my tests, if I got a strange looking question, I would refer to Papa’s example for guidance. I wouldn’t physically have his example there but I would think back to it to help me solve complex math problems.

Something else I associate with my dad is how he was always first to do everything. For example, he was always the first to wake up and get ready, always early to the airport, the first person to pick me up from school, the first person at parent teacher conferences, the first message I received on my birthday, the first person I talked to if I needed anything because I knew no matter what the cost was, he would try his best to get it for me. 

Now my dad is the first one of us to depart from this earth. But I believe there is hope in his passing. Papa’s job was to be in essence our own equivalent of Jesus’s forerunner, John the Baptist. He came to earth to equip us with what we need to be successful in the future. Like his math examples, by the Grace of God he came to earth to be a guideline for how we should live our lives. Now I have the example of papa’s life to guide me through the trials of life. His passing has also added another layer to my faith because now I look forward to heaven and being able to reunite with him many many years from now.