Born on September 5, 1949, in Asmara, Eritrea, Teklemariam Tewelde Kasay's life was one marked by resilience, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to his family.
Teklemariam's entrepreneurial journey began early, as he established a thriving trucking business in both Eritrea and Ethiopia. In 1977, he married his beloved wife, Weini Elma Tsegai, in Asmara, and together they raised four children: Yodit, Asmerom, Samrawit, and Bereket. Education was important to Teklemariam, and he spared no effort in providing his children with the best opportunities, ensuring they attended private schools in Addis Ababa and later in Nairobi. Beyond academics, he enriched their lives with diverse experiences, from swimming classes to art competitions.
Relocating to Nairobi in 1986, Teklemariam once again found success in business, laying the groundwork for his family's eventual move to the United States in 1992. Settling first in Dallas, Texas, before making Seattle, Washington, their permanent home. Teklemariam's unstoppable spirit and work ethic propelled him from a truck driver to a respected truck owner at Seattle Freight. He blazed a trail for his community, mentoring and empowering countless Eritreans and Ethiopians to pursue careers in the trucking industry, ultimately becoming the first independent business owner in his community in Seattle.
In 2010, Teklemariam faced a setback when he suffered a stroke, but his resilience never wavered. He continued to live life to the fullest, celebrating the weddings of three of his children and cherishing his role as a grandfather to Beilul, Amaniel, and Haikel.
Passionate about exploring new cultures and languages, Teklemariam was fluent in multiple languages, including Tigrinya, Amharic, Italian, Arabic, and Kiswahili. His love for travel took him to destinations far and wide, including Greece, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. In his leisure time, Teklemariam found joy in watching sports, EriTV, and most importantly, spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. His favorite moments were always holiday gatherings.
On Monday, March 4, 2024, Teklemariam departed from this world to take his place in heaven following a brief illness. Though he may no longer be with us in person, Teklemariam's spirit will forever live on in the hearts of his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren. May his memory continue to inspire us all to live our lives with purpose, resilience, and unwavering love.
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