BLASIUS AWONSANG
Eulogy
First, thank you all for being part of this celebration of our uncle’s life. Here he is, at the end of his long, eventful journey - back where the adventure began.
I still can’t believe I am writing a tribute to him as it is. Words cannot describe this difficult moment, but this being my final goodbye, I count myself blessed to have lived this life as his nephew.
You are here because our father/uncle touched, appreciated, and loved you, and found an infinite number of ways to tell you that.
We are each known and remembered for what we are, and especially for what we give. Our uncle was a lot and gave a lot to lots of people. He touched so many lives by his legendary selflessness - always giving and never expecting any favors in return.
Wherever he served he stood out by a work ethic of dedication – always ready to pass the ball for others to score. Many young men and women he took under his wings at a personal and professional level are living testimonies of his mentorship and generosity.
One needs to know how much the playing field has changed between when he began and when he ended, to appreciate the steepness of the mountain he climbed, and how many real lives he transformed positively.
He loved the simple pleasures of life like no other. I don’t know anyone whose daily life included more ceremonies or church service. He taught his children how to live with the boundless enthusiasm? He loved his family and friends with rare passion and left his indelible mark on everyone he met.
Regardless of how we all knew our uncle, the one thing we all had in common is the impact that his work had on our lives. We all stand here today because he created the conditions that propelled us to places that were previously unavailable and unimaginable to us.
His wife, siblings, colleagues, and friends could always count on him to attentively listen to their problems, and offer solutions to them, drawing from his huge wellspring of intelligence, wisdom and experience.
As a source of comfort, he was endlessly present for us, and though we did not always understand it, he was always teaching, without expecting us to be like him. Indeed, his dream for us was not to be like him but better than him, so he laid bare to us his wealth of experience, impressing everyone with his hard work and stoic silence.
In writing this obituary, I realize that it is impossible to list his multitude of qualities. Now I actually hope I forgot some, so that, after this, we can remember them and share his stories together and forever and laugh as we always did with him.
He had an amazing life. He grabbed the bull by its horns, set goals, and made things happen. That’s why he was a successful entrepreneur, a fantastic family man and a leader in his community. Even though he is known for his accomplishments, I would like to tell you about another side of uncle today. He was one of the kindest and gentlest men I’ve ever known.
Our father/uncle was also a dedicated husband to his beautiful wife, our mother. Their 53-year relationship seemed so perfect that they made marriage look so effortless, even though there is no perfect union.
He was a good man. And, there are challenges inherent in having a good man for a husband, father, uncle, or brother. Good people cast large shadows and their example can be hard to emulate. Our uncle knew something about that, being the son of good man. He knew how to ease the burden on those in need without depriving his children of his attention and love.
Now, tell me, how do you say “Goodbye” to someone – when you haven’t come to terms with the fact that they are gone? A wonderful Uncle, a loving brother to his “siblings”, the world’s best father to my cousins, and the most magnificent Grandpa ever!” How do I say goodbye to that kind of man?
We are all blessed to have known you; blessed to have loved you and to have been loved by you; blessed to have called you “our own” - MY uncle, MY brother, MY grandpa, and for my dear cousins, MY dad. We’re blessed to be able to say this with so much pride and gratitude to the Almighty. We are a blessed family indeed.
You came. You conquered all our hearts. Lived life to the fullest. Then left. Your being here – on this earth, in this world, mattered. You have left us with a beautiful legacy, and that we shall keep alive. You will always live with us long after this adieu. I pray that your soul finds peace and rest in the bosom of the almighty.
And for you, who came from far and near to wish him goodbye, we thank you again, and may God’s protective hand shield you from any discomfort as you journey back home.
Blasius Awonsang
