ግርማ ተክኤ Girma Tekie

Ato Girma Tekie was born to his father, Fitawrari Tekie Goytom, and his mother, Weizero Miletsega Beimnet, on Pagumen 3, 1942 in the Ethiopian calendar, in Addis Ababa, in the neighborhood known as Merkato.

When he reached school age, Girma completed his primary and secondary education at the Le'ul Mekonnen School — known today as Addis Ketema. He then entered the Telecommunications Institute, where he earned his diploma with distinction, and went on to serve for many years with Ethiopian Telecommunications. Through the dedication and integrity he showed in his work, he earned opportunities to study in several countries abroad, and he continued to serve his country and his people with sincerity and faithfulness for many years.

Girma was deeply loved and admired by his colleagues and superiors alike. Compassionate toward all and quick to come to anyone's aid in times of trouble, he lived in warmth and harmony with young and old — a man of laughter, wit, and good company.

From childhood, alongside his studies, Girma was also a gifted football player, and with that talent he took the field for Selamawi Wukianos ("Pacific"), one of the celebrated teams of the day.

When he came of age, by God's will Girma was joined in marriage to Weizero Tsige Berhe and became the father of two sons and a daughter. He delighted in his children and lived to embrace and kiss two grandchildren. Devoted to his marriage, kind and tender-hearted, he was often named as an example and role model for other couples.

His friends bear witness that, long before the times changed, Girma stood firm in arguing for the rights of women.

For the past 33 years, from the day he began his life anew in America, Girma served his community — helping Habesha immigrants however he could and sharing guidance that would ease their way. The home of Girma and Tsige was never closed: it was a house of love, welcoming to guests and a refuge for those in need.

Beyond all this, Girma was one of the principal founders of Debre Birhan Kidist Selassie (Holy Trinity) Church in Baltimore. The faithful of those years bear witness that he served the church with love, peace, and sincerity — giving his knowledge, his means, and even his own labor, tirelessly and without complaint, until the day his health kept him home.

Death comes to us all; it is the road by which we cross over to our eternal home. May it be the Creator's good will that God, whom our brother and father so faithfully served, receive his soul into the embrace of His saints.

— From his wife, Tsige Berhe, and his children