Obituary of C. Harry Gbesi

C. harry Gbesi, departed this life at the age of 41. Mr. Gbesi was resident of Blackwood New Jersey at the time of his death. He departed this world on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 in Pomona, New Jersey. His untimely death was a shock to us all. C. Harry Gbesi, Mr. Chairman, Harry, Carca, Gbesi, Daddy..,. was a man who lived an abundant life. His humble beginnings did not give and indication of the greatness that awaited him. Harry was born on December 5, 1969 in Pennuken, Liberia to Peter Waddy Gbe Gbesi and Pittee Hannah Choloply, both are predeceased. Harry was the youngest of three children.. He is predeceased by his elder sisters Gbadeh and Geeah. As a child, Harry was always a serious-minded and helpful child to his mother. He assisted her with all of the family chores and made s farm for his family. Harry also assisted his mother in the care of his young nephew Joseph, affectionately called Sonnyboy. Harry's strong and dedicated mother instilled in him the importance of education, responsibility, hard work and self-sacrifice. Equipped with these virtues he would go far. Harry attended the Public School in Palippo, Japloken under the direction of the late James S. Hinneh. This is where the promise already residing within him was further nurtured. Harry went on to attend the Lutheran Mission School where he distinguished himself as a student leader. Harry was later awarded a scholarship to attend the Lutheran Training Institute (LTI) in Lofa County, Liberia where he eventually assumed the role of student council president in his senior year. The story of how he did this is a clever book within itself. Leadership was calling him. Harry started his college career at the AME Zion Community College in Liberia. As he grew into a young man his dreams and aspirations of studying abroad grew. Would he study in Russia or America? Would he study computers, law or medicine? These are the questions he contemplated. On March 1, 1989, he received a letter from his uncle in the United States that answered at least one of his questions. He would be sponsored by Ivy and Daniel Choloply to study at Camden County College in the United States of America. He arrived in the United States and continued his educational journey later that year. Harry decided to enter the field of nursing under the guidance and example of his uncle... now both questions were resolved. Harry often talked of those first days in the states and of his first job at a car wash with pride and satisfaction. Harry was no stranger to work and he embraced the challenges of life in America. He excelled in his studies and graduated with his BSN from the Helene Fuld School of Nursing in 1993. His only sorrow was the death of his mother, Pittee Hannah Choloply, two years after his arrival in America, prior to his graduation. Losing her to the devastation of war in Liberia would impact him for the remainder of his life. In 1992, while performing his duties as a student nurse, he met Veronica Amanda Boone while attending to her comatose aunt at West Jersey Hospital in Camden, NJ. They were married on May 21, 1994. Pitt Amanda Gbesi and Pittee Bafeh's, achievement in receiving a perfect report card and the honor of being placed on the principal's list for outstanding academic achievement. Pittee Amanda, who is on her way to college to study international law this fall, received a Citation from theNJ State Senate, a Resolution from the New Jersey Legislature, and an award plaque from Gloucester Township (NJ) for leadership and community service. Harry attended the awards ceremony and celebrated with dinner & laughter just hours prior to his passing. His children were the joys of his life. In 1999, Harry became a citizen of the USA. Harry pursued excellence at all times and modeled this quality for his children and those around him. Anyone fortunate enough to sit at his wide feet , left with new insights, understandings, drive and visions of possibilities. Harry continued his education after obtaining earning his first degree in 1993. In May, 1996, he obtained his RN license in Nursing. Harry continued to attended school while working and supporting a growing family. In 2000, he graduated with honors from the prestigious Thomas Jefferson University and obtaining a Master's Degree, becoming a CRNA. Harry was working on his doctorate degree in Public Health Administration at the time of his passing. He was the recipient of many academic awards and honors during his academic career. Harry worked at several hospitals including West Jersey - Camden and Heinemann University Hospital- Philadelphia. He ended his professional career as an anesthetist "working on hearts" at Atlantic City Middle Center (Atlanticare). Harry's Career aspirations and vocations did not end with nursing. He was a philanthropist, a real estate investor, a politician, a land developer, a leader, and an integral active part of his children's life. Harry had a heart of compassion for those who less fortunate. He empathized with single mothers, senior citizens, those who were handicapped and babies. He instinctively interacted with such people with compassion and dignity. A dying old woman once called only him to her bedside. She wanted to talk to Harry before she died. Harry felt deeply the plight of his country, shoes, medicine, toiletries computers, cars and money to the people "back home". Seeing a young girl peddling in the streets from sun up to sun down, he sent her home and set up the means for that same young girl to go to school. He was a man who exemplified charity and sacrifice. He was an active member of several professional and political organizations. He served the people of River Gee County in the capacity of President and Board Chairman of River Gee County Association in the Americas. Stellar accomplishments in these responsibilities have included mobilizing organizational and personal resources to award full scholarships to students hailing from River Gee County, seeking primary, secondary, and higher education at the University of Liberia, The Tubman National Institute of Medical Arts and a scattering of schools throughout Liberia. Harry as an avid reader. He enjoyed books on a variety of topics such as political leadership[, strategic thinking, health care in Africa and investing. His consumption of these topics and his love for his native land fueled his desire to participate in the development of Liberia. Political organizing and mobilizing for the downtrodden was his passion. He helped organize theDelaware Chapter of CDC-USA by framing the vision and working in areas as diverse as political strategy, campaign finance, political message development and agenda management. His tireless dedication advanced him from the Delaware Chapter Chairman to National Chairman of CDC-USA. His speeches and many of his recent activities in Liberia endeared him to partisans, who began to see him as a beacon of transformative institution building. Harry spent 22 years in the United States of America and in his short time accomplished more than most life times could ever hold. His is a story that must be told, will be told and for generations to come. There was a man by the name of C. Harry Gbesi... he was a hero. C. Harry Gbesi is survived by his daughter Pitt Amanda, son Pittee Bafeh, nephew Joseph Tolbert, stepdaughter Dejenaba Gordon, former wife Veronica Gbesi, uncle Daneil Choloply and a host of relatives and friends. We have lost a father, a friend, a brother, a leader, a thinker, a warrior and a beacon of hope. May our actions, attitudes endeavors and energy evoke the transformative ideas he embodied. He will forever be in out hearts.