It is with both profound sadness and deep gratitude that the family of Enyie John Onuoha announces his peaceful passing. A devoted son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather and beloved member of every community he touched, Enyie departed this world at the age of 89, surrounded by family members.
Born in 1936 in the village of Amohuru, Imo State, Nigeria, to his father, Dulu Onuoha Anunobi and his mother, Mary Onyenwe Ikodie Onuoha; Enyie was one of the younger siblings in his family. His siblings included: Emechete Oje Onuoha, Ogbonna Onuoha, Veronica Ufomba, Francisca Onyeoziri, Nwaorji Onuoha, Akwugo Onyejelem, Juliana Chinyere Anyanwu, Adolphus Njoku Onuoha, Marcelina Alaribe, Rebeca Onuoha, Okpomechina Onuoha. His father, a customary court judge, and revered Chief of the ancestral village of Amohuru, instilled in him a deep sense of dignified service, integrity and heritage.
From a very early age, Enyie demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude for written and oral communication, driven by an insatiable interest in the world of ideas and a legendary capacity to recall facts, figures, names and events on demand. These abilities ultimately shaped his remarkable academic and professional achievements.
In his early twenties, Enyie journeyed alone, from rural, southeastern Nigeria to London, UK, to pursue post-secondary studies after completing the nursing program at St. Luke’s Hospital in the city of Anua in Akwa Ibom State - where he met fellow nursing student, Susanna Ada Njoku. The two fell deeply in love and built a bond that withstood their five year geographic seperation while Enyie was studying abroad. In 1963, after studying in the UK, Enyie emigrated to Canada, settling in Windsor, Ontario, where he continued his education in the field of social sciences at the University of Windsor. While studying at the University of Windsor he managed to convince the Member(s) of Parliament for Essex West (The late Herbert Eser Gray) and Essex East (The late Paul Martin Sr.) to help him bring his beloved Susanna to Canada from Nigeria prior to the outbreak of the civil war. In 1965 Enyie and Susanna were re-united in Windsor where they began their phenomenal, 60 year married life together.
Enyie’s academic accomplishments were vast: In addition to earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Windsor, he also earned a Master of Arts in history (post-war, political economy of Europe) from Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier University) and a Master of Health Administration (systemic analysis of healthcare service delivery in South America) from the University of Ottawa. Starting with an entry level position at Victoria Hospital in London Ontario, Enyie's professional journey eventually spanned several continents: program evaluator at the Comprehensive Health Planning Council of Southeastern Michigan; senior civil servant in the health ministry of the Federal Government of Nigeria; health planning consultant at King Khalid University Hospital at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia; Chair of the Employment Insurance Board of Referees (Barrie Ontario); and member of the governing Council of the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
To all who knew him, Enyie was an unwavering intellectual—sharp, witty, and principled, with a dry humour that could cause an entire room of people to erupt in laughter. His famously elegant cursive handwriting, often scribed with his blue-ink filled, crimson-fountain pens, enriched countless letters, notes, and essays. At home in Orillia, Ontario, where he and his family lived for more than 30 years, he was an avid gardener, with a meticulous proclivity for cultivating vegetable and flower gardens as well as cherry and apple trees. He was well known for pressing fresh apple juice and preparing traditional Igbo dishes—especially his delicious, secret-recipes for caramelized, oxtail, braised, beef stew and his eye-watering, scotch bonnet sauce.
Above all, Enyie dedicated his entire life to enabling, protecting and loving his family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susanna Ada Onuoha; his children Nzenalu Obinelo (spouse to Izundu Obinelo), Emechete Onuoha (spouse to Lisa Lewicki), Akwanne Onuoha (spouse to Pablo Aravena), and Dike Onuoha (spouse to Rosanna Verardi); and his seven grandchildren: Adaeze, Nnaji, Iruka, Ijeoma, Chijioke, Ayanna, and Amara.
We give thanks for the privilege of experiencing Enyie's life, love and guidance. He was a husband, father, brother, grandfather, colleague, uncle, and friend whose presence shaped generations. His legacy of intellectual curiosity, service, heritage, and unwavering commitment to family will continue to live on in all who were fortunate enough to know him.
There will be a funeral mass held by the family in Enyie's honour: Saturday, December 13 @ 1pm ET at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Ottawa, Canada on 400 St. Laurent Blvd, K1K 2Z6. All friends and family are welcome.
Digital Guestbook
Sabine Chibueze
Kechi and Kevin Holloway
From London to Canada, our condolences and thoughts go out to all the family. Your Dad was a remarkable man in every way. He will be very much missed.
Ezinne Onuoha
I am very sorry for your loss. May God give you strength to deal with this great loss and peace to carry on. His memory lives on in those that knew him. Rest in peace great uncle John!
Ikenna Njoku
My deepest and sincere condolences. Very sad to hear of uncle's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Don Cornish
I have known you only through your wonderful family. Would that I had known you better. Godspeed Enyie John Onuoha.
Moragh Morrison
I feel as if I’ve known “John” my whole life. My parents rented rooms in our home to students at the University of Windsor, and John was one of those students. We were so lucky to have John become part of our lives and part of our family. I was just 4 when John and Sue chose me to be a flower girl at their wedding in Windsor, more than 60 years ago.
John was kind, considerate, conscientious, caring; the consummate gentleman. His eyes seemed to always be filled with joy. As a write this, I can hear him say “Ah, Moragh” in his special way, see the twinkle in his eye, hear his laugh. What a wonderful memory for me, and one that I cherish.
I am so privileged to have known such an amazing person, to have had such an important example in my life of how to treat others and how to strive to be the best one can be.
Perhaps John is gone, but all that he was will be with me forever.
I love you and your wonderful family so much,
Moragh,
Michael, Andrew, and Wesley
Franka Adibe
Deeply sorry to hear of your loss. May Uncle Enyie's soul rest in perfect peace. Wishing the entire family God's healing solace during this very trying time.
Clovis and Anthonia Nwagwu
Uncle John,
Your legacy is not just in words, but in the lives you touched and the values you instilled. Though you are resting in peace, you will be forever in our hearts.
Rest peacefully, dear uncle and Godfather, knowing you are deeply loved and forever missed.
Sincerely;
Clovis and Anthonia Nwagwu
Ik & Veronica Nwagwu
It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Uncle John was an honest, wonderful, gentle man, and I will always cherish the times we got to spend with him.
Please know that we are thinking of you and the whole family during this incredibly difficult time. I hope you can find some comfort in the many happy memories you have of him. His legacy lives on through you and your siblings.
Please know that your family are in all in our prayers. We love you, and we will miss him dearly.
God bless you all,
The Kemdirim Family
TRIBUTE TO OUR BELOVED BROTHER ENYIE
Brother Enyie, as we fondly called you, you were from Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria, the same place that we come from.
You were naturally gifted, with many good qualities worthy of emulation. You were talented, peaceful, gentle, kind, and good-hearted, with an infectious smile and laughter that was irresistible. You were also religious and God-fearing. In short, you were all-around efficient. We are thankful to God for blessing you with all these amazing qualities and for the privilege of knowing you.
We have fond memories of our visits when you first lived in Ottawa and continued when you moved to Orillia. Orillia indeed is far from Montreal, where we lived, and one would think that the long distance would adversely interfere with our visits to each other. However, it did not. Our visits continued as usual. We remember that any time we visited you in Ottawa or Orillia, you always gave us a royal welcome.
We are sad and heartbroken to hear of your passing. Your departure has not yet registered in our minds. We have not forgotten the gentle voice with which you called our names: “Maggi, Nwannem”, and “Igne”. Your voice is still audible in our ears.
Brother Enyie, our entire family loves you dearly and will greatly miss you. Even though you are gone, your memory will live with us forever. Our consolation is that you have gone to your Creator to receive your eternal reward.
Adieu, dear Brother! Adieu, gentle one! May your gentle soul rest with the Lord. Amen.
Your Sister and Brother,
Mr. & Mrs. Ignatius Kemdirim
__________
TRIBUTE TO OUR BELOVED UNCLE ENYIE (DA ENYIE)
Today, we honour and celebrate the life of our dear uncle, Da Enyie, a man of great wit, wisdom, and warmth.
Growing up, we always looked forward to visiting Da Enyie, Da Sue, and their children in Ottawa, then Orillia. Although the distance from Montreal was over 470 Km, and over 6 hours by car, due to excitement and anticipation, it always felt like we got there in no time. We were always well received and were happy to see them. Soon after, they would pay us a visit in Montreal. The two families bonded very well. We came to learn that our grandmother on our father’s side came from the same town as Da Enyie, thus solidifying the familial ties.
From our earliest memories, Da Enyie personified integrity and hard work, traits worthy of emulation. Quiet and well-spoken, he was a great conversationalist. His stories kept you riveted in rapt attention, peppered with his hallmark dry sense of humour, sharing witty anecdotes in a soft-spoken voice. His presence was comforting, his mellifluous laughter soothing. He had an uncanny gift of connecting with people and making them feel special and heard.
We are filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude to have known Da Enyie and been inspired by him. He instilled in us the value of hard work, the quest for knowledge, finding humour in one’s life, and staying true to oneself.
In saying our final goodbyes, we are comforted by the countless memories we shared:
DONALD: I'd like to say that I remember Da Enyie as a very kind man who always had an encouraging word. And I always enjoyed his sense of humor, which always made me happy. Rest In Peace, Da Enyie.
STELLA:
I remember Da Enyie’s wit, his dry sense of humour, and contagious laughter. He was kind and soft-spoken. I don’t remember ever hearing him raise his voice at anyone. He will be greatly missed. May His Soul Rest In Perfect Peace!
MARIA:
The most important thing I remember about Da Enyie is his kind and gentle ways. He never liked to argue. He was a peaceful soul. He gave corrections with love and kindness. May his soul Rest In Peace.
JERRY:
I have a fond memory of the nickname that Da Enyie used to call me. He’d say, “Jerry ‘Nwantam’”, which translates from Igbo as "my little one".
CHINEDU:
I remember when I was a child, Da Enyie would always secretly sneak me a dollar or two. As a child, this was huge! I never forgot this! Da Enyie was indeed a kind and gentle man!
As the years drifted along, Da Enyie and Da Sue were always there for me as my cheerleaders and my referees for the very job that I hold today. I can't forget that.
Da Enyie never missed an opportunity to inquire how things were going with me and work in general. And I would respond, "Da Enyie, you know, 'Owu oru bekee'" (e.g. “this is how the work of the western world is” - this is a loose translation of the Igbo expression).
Da Enyie’s presence in our lives was a true gift, and he leaves a void that cannot be filled. Da Enyie, your spirit will continue to live on in our hearts. Rest In Peace, knowing you were deeply loved and will forever be remembered.
The Kemdirim Children:
Donald, Stella, Maria, Jerry, and Chinedu
Nze and Izuh,
So sorry for your loss! I did not have the honor of meeting your dad but judging from the integrity and achievements of his progeny, your dad must have been a force to be reckoned with. Thank you all for making him comfortable and surrounding him with love and warmth during his last days. May he rest in perfect peace!