Obituary of BENNETT NWABUEZE ORAMASIONWU

BENNETT NWABUEZE ORAMASIONWU Bennett Nwabueze Oramasionwu, (born on July 25, 1946) surrounded by the love of his family, ascended into heaven on May 22, 2020. He was born in Nigeria to the late Mr. Gabriel Ilikannu and the late Mrs. Pauline Oramasionwu. Bennett is survived by his wife Ngozi; his daughter Maureen Chiazo , and her husband lkenna; his daughter Florence Ogochukwu; his daughter Linda Nkechi, and her husband Todd; his son Donald Obinna; and four grandchildren, Arinze, Lotanna, Nneka, and Ellery Chiamaka. He is also survived by his stepmother Irene Oramasionwu; brothers, Ernest, Geoffrey and Gabriel; sister Grace, brother and sister in-laws; uncles, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his siblings Alison, Clement, and Virginia. Bennett was born in the town of Nwewi in Anambra State, Nigeria. He attended high school at the Union Secondary School Awkunanaw Enugu. After secondary school, he served in the health and emergency unit during the Biafran war. After the war in 1970, he attended the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. Upon successful graduation, he accepted a teaching appointment. Bennett immigrated to Canada in 1974 and worked extensively in factories to provide for his family, and help relatives that he undertook to support. Bennett later attended the Red River College where he obtained a Diploma in Boiler Engineering Technology. Subsequent to that, he devoted several years to the City of Winnipeg's parks and recreation department as a boiler engineer. While working with the City of Winnipeg, he attended the University of Winnipeg where he obtained a degree in Environmental Science. Bennett was also a successful business owner who serviced several commercial and private pools within the city. Bennett loved his family and his community. He saw to it that all of his children were well educated, and furnished support to his extended family, and all those who sought his help in getting established in life. He was a foundational part of the lgbo community in Winnipeg, and was one of the pioneering members of the Umunna (lgbo) Cultural Association of Manitoba. Bennett loved fishing and gardening. He also enjoyed being actively involved in the Umunna (lgbo) Cultural Association. Bennett loved watching sports, especially football and hockey and took great pleasure watching his son play in the Canadian Football League. He was devoted to his family and friends, and spent his retirement enjoying their company. Bennett will be sorely missed by his family and the community at large. We take solace in the fact that he is with the Lord God Almighty. Given the current public health restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral plans both in Winnipeg and Nigeria will be announced once the restrictions have been lifted.