Mr Amare G Goitom's Obituary
Life Well Lived
Mr. Amare Gherezgher Goitom was born to his father Grazmach Gherezgher Goitom and his mother Mrs. Tserha Teklu in 1932 in Adi-Kbilo, Tselima, Eritrea. Mr. Amare was very fond of his siblings Abraha, Hiwot, Tesfay, Alem and Fekadu of which his beloved sister Hiwot is the remaining survivor. In the 1940s, Mr. Amare attended early elementary school in Gondor, Ethiopia, where his father and oldest sibling Abraha had settled. In 1950, he relocated to Keren, Eritrea, where he pursued high school studies at the newly opened Evangelical Faith Mission School. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Amare was one of the few chosen teachers to start the Mission’s Elementary Orphanage School in Dekemhare. Over the next two decades, he served with dedication in various parts of Eritrea including Tsehaflam, Shmanegus, Tokombia, Aqordet and Keren as a teacher, advisor and spiritual mentor. His pioneering work as an educator and evangelist was attested by hundreds of his former students and colleagues. On May 29, 1960, Mr. Amare married his former student and sister-in-Christ Tsehaitu Mosazghi. Together, in the true faith of God, they raised 6 children – Elias, Sara, Fana, Hailab, Dawit and Akberom – and were blessed to love, cherish and see 12 grandchildren. Mr. Amare was also a patriot and an ardent supporter of the Eritrean national liberation struggle. Consequently, he joined the Eritrean Liberation Front in 1974; two years after, he migrated to Sudan where he would later be reunited with his Family. Over the next 5 years, Mr. Amare was instrumental in establishing schools, women’s training centers and clinics for Eritrean refugees in the Sudan, and served as a school administrator. In 1982, he immigrated with his family to the USA and settled in Tampa, Florida. During his 34 years in America, Mr. Amare was an active member, father figure and pillar of the Eritrean communities in Florida. Throughout his entire life, Mr. Amare had three major guiding principles: Love and reverence of the Lord; love of family; and love of country. He raised his children well with a strong foundation based on these principles. His defining characteristics were truth, righteousness, resilience, kindness, generosity and compassion towards his fellow man. In November 2014, after a tragic car accident, he underwent treatment at various hospitals. Though he fought the good fight courageously, surrounded by the loving care of his family and particularly his daughter and caregiver Fana who was by his bedside the entire time, Mr. Amare passed away to join the Lord in the early hours of Friday, June 24th, 2016. He’s survived by his wife, children, sister and many grandchildren.
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