Bay area merchant dies after bout with cancer; courage, determination and strong faith become his most enduring legacy.
Nigeria, Federal Republic of (Press Release) December 6, 2007 --
Oakland , CA – December 7, 2007 – Native Nigerian, Charles Emeka Amamgbo died quietly on November 17, surrounded by his devoted wife, immediate family and friends. Amamgbo, who had lived in Oakland since 1997, had quickly become a community leader and hero when he opened The African-Caribbean Food Market, a store that caters the fine and traditional African foods and spices. In February of 2006, he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer; he was 43.
His wife said, "Charles was a devoted husband and father, he will be missed by all who have come to know him over the years. Due to the overwhelming care and concern from our community we will continue his legacy, by keeping the doors of the market open. We know he would have wanted it this way," said his wife of 6 years, Nkem Amamgbo (Kay Kay) Nee Anadu.
He was born and raised in the Great Benin province of Nigeria . He graduated from the University of Calabar with a Bachelors Degree in History and began life working in the family business. Anxious for adventure, Charles traveled to Holland, where he settled down as a blue-collar worker for Hoechst, the large Multi National Chemical Company. While others struggled with living in a foreign land with both language and cultural barrier, Charles promptly added Dutch, English, and Efik to languages he could speak, read and write.
Charles is survived by his wife(Kaykay Amamgbo), sons ( Chikaodili & Lotachi Amamgbo); Parents (Sir Thomas & Lady Grace Amamgbo); Brother (Donald Chidi Amamgbo); Sister (Ndudi Edith Amamgbo) ; Sister (Chinwe Maureen Amamgbo); Brother (Thomas Osy Amamgbo); Mother-in-law (Nwannem Florence Anadu, AdaEzendieze)
Brothers-in-Law (Emeka, Ndulue Anadu); Sister-in-law (Nene Anadu)
Nieces-Amarachi, Somkeme, Kenechi Amamgbo, Nephew- Somtochukwu Amamgbo and Numerous Uncles, Aunties, Nephews, Nieces, Cousins and Friends.
The Wake Keeping/funeral service has been set for December 7 and 8 2007. Wake Keeping/Celebration of Life Friday, December 7, 2007 at Flamingo/Mirage Place 4100 Peralta Blvd Fremont CA (7pm-12midnight). Saturday December 8, 2007 viewing and Funeral Service at Faith Fellowship Church 577 Manor Blvd , San Leandro CA (11am-1pm ).
His family is planning to return his body on December 9 for burial to Ihiala, Anambra state Nigeria on Saturday, December 15, 2007. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that condolence and donations be sent to ATTN: THE EMEKA AMAMGBO FAMILY FUND. P. O. Box 18973 Oakland, CA 94619.
For more information visit, the Memorial site at: http://charles-emeka-amamgbo.memory-of.com.
His wife said, "Charles was a devoted husband and father, he will be missed by all who have come to know him over the years. Due to the overwhelming care and concern from our community we will continue his legacy, by keeping the doors of the market open. We know he would have wanted it this way," said his wife of 6 years, Nkem Amamgbo (Kay Kay) Nee Anadu.
He was born and raised in the Great Benin province of Nigeria . He graduated from the University of Calabar with a Bachelors Degree in History and began life working in the family business. Anxious for adventure, Charles traveled to Holland, where he settled down as a blue-collar worker for Hoechst, the large Multi National Chemical Company. While others struggled with living in a foreign land with both language and cultural barrier, Charles promptly added Dutch, English, and Efik to languages he could speak, read and write.
Charles is survived by his wife(Kaykay Amamgbo), sons ( Chikaodili & Lotachi Amamgbo); Parents (Sir Thomas & Lady Grace Amamgbo); Brother (Donald Chidi Amamgbo); Sister (Ndudi Edith Amamgbo) ; Sister (Chinwe Maureen Amamgbo); Brother (Thomas Osy Amamgbo); Mother-in-law (Nwannem Florence Anadu, AdaEzendieze)
Brothers-in-Law (Emeka, Ndulue Anadu); Sister-in-law (Nene Anadu)
Nieces-Amarachi, Somkeme, Kenechi Amamgbo, Nephew- Somtochukwu Amamgbo and Numerous Uncles, Aunties, Nephews, Nieces, Cousins and Friends.
The Wake Keeping/funeral service has been set for December 7 and 8 2007. Wake Keeping/Celebration of Life Friday, December 7, 2007 at Flamingo/Mirage Place 4100 Peralta Blvd Fremont CA (7pm-12midnight). Saturday December 8, 2007 viewing and Funeral Service at Faith Fellowship Church 577 Manor Blvd , San Leandro CA (11am-1pm ).
His family is planning to return his body on December 9 for burial to Ihiala, Anambra state Nigeria on Saturday, December 15, 2007. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that condolence and donations be sent to ATTN: THE EMEKA AMAMGBO FAMILY FUND. P. O. Box 18973 Oakland, CA 94619.
For more information visit, the Memorial site at: http://charles-emeka-amamgbo.memory-of.com.
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