John my best guy. I experienced your unconditional love throughout my life. You have been a hero in my life. You have been a role model for me. Despite my health challenges you kept on telling me “Don’t waste your time father, you buried your mother, you will bury before you die. That is my prayer. Pray too.” I feel singing “at last all-powerful master you can let your servant go in peace”. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to accompany you to the last end. Prepare a place for me. Thank you.
Fred, my beloved son, it is difficult to come to terms that you are no more. You were the first to give me the name “uncle father.” You have always made me proud. From the testimonies of everyone you are a great guy. Rest in peace. God’s ways are not our ways.
From Rev Father Gregory
Dear Pa John America, for the few years we lived together, I have seen the father figure in you. It pleased me to take care of you and I enjoyed every joke you made. I will always hear your voice saying “Big Mami” do this or that. I am happy to have been part of your last days on earth. Travel safe Papa and be with your Redeemer. In our Hearts forever
Someone Eavesdropping; While my wife had the privilege and opportunity to live with and take care of you Papa, I had the honor to chat and enjoy your humor and awesome stories we shared together, whenever I visited. Adieu Awesome In-Law. May your soul RIP in the bosom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prisca & Joseph Suh
Pa John Chenwi was popularly known to the family and friends as Pa Mbountih, Aloum, John Bafut….etc.
He was more than a father, an uncle, a friend, a community leader and most importantly, a Catechist who orchestrated the opening of the first church in Essimbi in those days. Or served as a leader in the church at Nsoh, Bafut.
To his immediate children, that is: Mado, Chrysanctus, Joseph, Esther, Paul , Rev Dr Gregory, and the other children who went before him, Pa John and the late wife, were role models in hard work, family fostering and strict religious nurturing, cultural acquisition right from infancy. He taught his children the value of staying calm in the face of chaos. Encouraging those in despair, taking care of and being responsive to others’ needs, and being authoritative but lenient. Pa John had a genuine heart that endeared everybody to him. This compassionate heart attracted many people to him, and we can say without any doubt that he was the most popular father in the family. So popular that most of us considered him more as a friend.
Pa John was a skilled blacksmith who worked with metal, iron and steel. He created parts that were used for buildings, vehicles, bicycles, machines, hunting guns and all the like. If he were in a developed country like the U.S., he would have had many patents and maybe won prestigious awards for his craftsmanship and skills.
Pa John was one of the only moving pharmacists in the entire Bafut, Essimbi, Wum, etc. Selling pharmaceutical products that were rare to come by, because there were neither hospitals nor clinics in these localities in those days.
Pa John did a lot. He was a businessman and entrepreneur who had one of the first provisional stores in Essimbi and Nsoh/Bafut, that carried articles that were rare to come by in those localities. Many people flocked to the house to gain from his beneficence and hospitality of him and his late wife mamma Odilia Sirri. Pa’s house in Esimbi and in Nso/Bafut were the guest homes that many people stopped in, whether in transit or looking for a new location to settle.
Both Pa and Ma were also ardent farmers and traders. They would load tippers of foodstuff from Essimbi to Nsoh/Bafut and Mankon Town; and tippers of articles back to Befang, Wum and Essimbi.
Pa was additionally a skillful innovator, whose home served as a modern-day Airbnb. Except that he did all these services for Free. And that’s’ why he earned the endearing titles of Pa Essimbi or John Bafut.
The Tanifum’s family is also fittingly indebted to Pa John Chenwi. Not only did some of us stay with him and he sent us to school, but among other trusted qualities, he was a confidant in the family. It was to him that Papa Gregory Che Tanifum confided many of his wishes that were to be followed when he passed. While we are here moaning, Pa John is in a better place, rejoicing with his sisters (Mamma Rose Manka, Mamma Ludwina Nchang, Mamma Bertha Sirri, his loving wife Mamma Odilia Sirri), Papa Gregory Tanifum, Pa’s children who passed before him and now, Fred Neba, his grandson, who loved his grandpa so much that he decided that he would follow him immediately to the other side.
Pa Tanifum
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Pa Nkweh, Aloum,Pa Mbouuntii, the only remaining uncle and Fred “Bro We Do How" faire well yonder, we love you but God, your creator best know why He has called you so soon, especially Fred. You are omniscient God; we cannot ask any questions. Take all the glory and thanks. Adieu Aloum and Fred.
Julius Tanifum
Pa John Bafut, you were the 1st of our husbands and now you are the 3rd to leave this world. This confirms the fact that death knows no age. We thank God for your life here on earth. I can still hear your voice saying how you feel about situations. You lived a good life with mami mbunti as we fondly called her, you taught your children the meaning of independence. Go well, and may your good works be registered in Heaven where Jesus awaits you
Fred, my grandson, we your grandparents are still here, why did you go before us. We will never know the mystery of death. Instead of you moving behind my casket, I'll be the one to do so. God's ways are not man's ways. We don't know where you came from, but we know you are going to our Lord Jesus Christ. Greet all the members of the family, at least I know there will be people there to welcome us. Fare thee well granny.
Mrs. Regina Akonteh
Pa John, a true pioneer, left his beloved Bafut as a young man and embarked on a journey to Benakuma in Esimbi, where I met him in the early 1980ties. There, he and his wife, Mama Odilia, had forged a remarkable life together. They cultivated vast fields of Esimbi groundnuts, established a thriving bar, and became pillars of the community, instrumental in elevating Benakuma to the status of a subdivisional headquarters.
A devout Catholic, Pa John was actively involved in the local church, which eventually grew into a new parish. Above all, he and Mama Odilia were dedicated parents, instilling in their children the values of hard work, self-reliance, and education.
They tirelessly supported their children's pursuits, ensuring they had every opportunity to succeed. Their pride in their children's accomplishments was evident, a testament to their loving guidance and unwavering support.
After years of hard work and seeing their children become successful young adults, Pa John and Mama Odilia retired to their native village, Bafut, where they enjoyed a well-deserved rest. Following Mama Odilia's passing, Pa John, ever the adventurer, set his sights on a new horizon. At an age when many would have taken things easy, he embarked on a new journey, this time to the United States, eager to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Despite becoming physically increasingly frail, his spirit remained vibrant, and he shared his wisdom and wit with those around him.
As his time on Earth drew to a close, Pa John passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, wisdom and love. May he rest in eternal peace.
F. Ten Horn