John Williams N. Fomenky

John, tu es un ange !  Le Seigneur t'a récupéré auprès de Lui afin d'écourter ta souffrance sur terre. Que ta jeunesse refleurisse auprès de Lui.

Repose en paix !  Que la Terre de tes ancêtres te soit légère.

 

Angèle-Laure WA LONLA

     Talking to a few childhood friends of BROTHER JOHN last Sunday: residents of Victoria and its environs was a thrilling experience. They reminisced about John's youth; They recalled knowing him as the Michael Jackson of their era: the way he dressed (white suit), styled his hair (jerry curls)etc  The death of Michael Jackson took a heavy  toll on him : close family members and friends may attest.

       FOREKECHACHA as he commonly addressedi ndigenes from Fontem Division himself included was warm and charming. He welcomed people into his home; My children, (Sharon and Chris)and myself enjoyed the great privilege to reside with John in his home at Sligo avenue for some years; He fed, clothed, and sheltred us; He went to and fro with us on all our medical appointments; He picked and dropped us at the airport ,went sightseeing ,shopping etc... and inthe evening, Sharon and Chris would cuddle around him on the coach to watc a latest disney, movie (narnia, Shrek) or a comic movie(Big momma,Madea in jail)

         Brother John Loved life and lived it to its fullest; He loved beauty and surrounded himself with beauties. He loved his family, his grandma whom he called "MAMA" His mum whom he called "SISSY" and his siblings He also loved his friends but he loved God more.

         He was immensely comforted by the unwavering gaurantee that God was solely in charge of his life. Whenever he was in pain and in the hospital his prevalent answer to this question "How are you doing today?" was "I CANNOT COMPLAIN" and would crack a joke to crown it ; So full of wit he was.

John was so positive and charming and this made a great impact in my life and i can proudly say I HAVE LEARNT TO HANDLE MY HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH GRACE AND EASE JOHN BEIG MY MENTOR and my INSPIRATION. I Love YOU JNFW

                                  IRENE OPANGA WILLIAMS

 

 

John or bro John as your siblings called you. It 's been such a long time since we last saw each other at the house in Buea RD, Kumba. I have never forgotten the jokes we all laughed at with Micheal, Sister Rose, Kiven, Cecy Fomenky  and the large group including Amos the Bakundu.  I remember your smiles even when it was so painful to smile, you still did it. I remember the dental gap that accentuated the smile, I remember your dance, your white suite and pointed shoes. John, you will always me missed but there is one thing that comforts those you've left behind: You are now the light that shines on us from Heaven. May the Lord transform your earthly smile into an everlasting Heavenly smile.
We live to miss you till we meet again.

Your sister and friend Angelica

I remember, when I was a child, you took me to nursery school...and played a father-like role, especially how you played with me and all...I even remember how I use to call you Papa-Brother John!  I guess because our Dad was always on travel and because of the numerous times you played around with me, I kind of thought you were my Dad, silly me!; but then again I knew you were my brother, because I knew Nya was my sister, and she was your sister too. You use to like to wear white suites and showoff incredible dance moves.  These are some of my childhood memories of you.

I recalled the day your Chevy was at the garage, and you didn't come to get me on time from the nursery school, and parlayed later to club 75 and requested I get a Malta Guinness, and when asked by the server "who's gonna pay for it?" I said Papa Brother John will come and pay; I think your friend Enongue actually came and took me home that day.  That's the love I recall and remember you showed me, and the confidence it gave me from that tender age.  When I saw you later on that day, I was wondering where you had been, and you said "Dodo, motor spoil, and Ike, the mechanic nowa fix sam self"...

Then the day you were going to America...I cried so much at Douala Air Port.  You and Daddy deceived me that you were going to Yaoundé, and that I should ask Papa...I did, and he too joined in the ploy to play with my innocent mind; all in a smooth operator effort to plot a scenario, so I do not cry during your departure...however upon seeing mama come give you a ticket stub, and seeing every one telling you "Bye Brother John!" I knew something was fishy.  I remember how much I cried...and I just couldn't stop...it was painful, but later on, as I got older/wiser, I  understood due to your sickle cell anemia...you needed emergency and utmost special care, and the U.S. was a great haven to accommodate you.

Then when I visited in the 80s, and saw you again, along with Nya, Sister Fide, Emeka, Nkong and everyone else...boy!  I was filled with joy to see you again after some years; and I remember how I asked you that you lied to me that you were going to Yaoundé, and you said "Dodo, I am here now!" Don't worry, everything will be alright.  Thanks for always showing and giving the spirit that nothing was impossible for the willing...you were a Brave Lewoh Elite.   The way you battled and fought this sickle cell anemia…only a true brave heart without fear can perform at such caliber.

Years past, and I grew from boy to man...I recalled when I saw mama...and immediately she smiled...the signature gap tooth was a given...then as young as I was...I drove her to PHS...where she was attending a conference...and you said “oh...mama said I was a better driver than you”...and I laughed...your jokes were always something else...the way you spoke the Bangwa vernacular....Nchong!!!! was one of your favorite words that I recalled.

I remember how you and Sister Fide would take me to go eat Chinese...and then because of MSG or whatever it was...that was in it...you will eat and immediately your crises would kick it...I didn't quite understand...until Charley Doh, and all your other friends and our family really explained to me that the sickle cell anemia was detrimental to you without notice...But my goodness...you braved it...and you fought, and now, you are rested with no more to fight...

Another interesting thing I recalled about is how fascinated you were about cars, luxury ones too.  When I came back from one of my sojourn trips in Cameroon, I stopped by the house…and Emil said you were at your other residence…which is the Seven Day Adventist…and when I came by to see you…you said “Dodo, you hear weti happen noh…your man almost mien!  If no be say I be di drive na that range rover, I for die so, I miss that…”  I laughed and told you I always and still believed the LX 470 was a better ride…but you stuck to your satisfactory RR 4.6 HSE…Oh Brother John!  Well…I could go on and on…but at least, I have fondest memories to hold forever about you.  Truly to the brotherly core!

As the new head of the Fuankenganyi   (FOMENKY) family, I will make certain that all traditional rites are performed in Menky Land upon my return to Cameroon...As an elite member of the Fuankenganyi dynasty, we will beat drums in the Lefem house and do accordingly what needs to be done. From Pa Nkafu I to Fuankenganyi I, they will together with the most high of the highs, prepare a place for you. They will surely be glad to see you come join them in the land of no pain, no worries, and all happiness.  I am sure when we meet again…you would tell me about the new “Merco” and how this and that…about your best rides/toys. 

I could go on and on, but all I have to hold onto now is nothing but memories of you.  You were private and independent in your thoughts, ways and thinking; it might not have resonate well with me sometimes, but I know and respected your individual mind and spirit...it is that individualism and believe, plus the faith you had in the Lord, that journeyed you through all the odds until you were called home on Monday, 4/26/2010….

Until we meet again...I will always think about you, and thank God for the time and memories we shared.  In one word...it was simply PRICELESS. Let your journey into eternal and perpetual life be smooth and merry; you will be missed forever more!

Truly and brotherly yours,

C*JN “Nka” Fomenky II (Dohdoh!)