The unexpected passing of Stanley Oganwo Nweke
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Wrestler. Dreamer. Community Builder. Jokester. Scholar. Husband. Father.
On Wednesday May 27th, the world lost a treasure. A wrestler lost his final match. A loving father and husband whispered his final I love you into the wind.
In January of this year, Stanley (Sr.) and his wife, Grace, traveled to Nigeria to bury Stanley’s own father, Eze (Chief) Sylvanus Amadi Nweke, who passed in November of 2019. Grace returned back to the US to be with her children and to resume work. A true family man and community builder, Stanley stayed to console his community, a village who had just lost their beloved chief.
He was originally scheduled to return to the US in mid-March, but due to the Covid-19 Pandemic his return trip was canceled and a flight ban was placed on all international travel to and from the US. Stanley was forced to stay in Nigeria and extend his stay. He spoke with us, his family, frequently telling of us of the watchful eye he was keeping on flights back to us. In the meantime, he took joy in sharing his dreams - seeds of the businesses he wanted to plant and the wealth he planned to reap. “Just wait until I come back and we will talk”, he said.
As May approached, Stanley’s health started to decline. He lost his appetite and his strong voice full of joy started to wane. Summoning strength and forcing faith to show up stronger than his fear, he continued to call, crack jokes, and dream for the full future with his family. He was a strong man so when he opted to be hospitalized, we knew things were serious. On the 27th of May, Stanley Nweke died of congestive cardiac failure.
Words hold no weight to the pain we are feeling. We lost our pillar, our lover, and laughter. We take heart knowing he fought as he always did. He remained strong as he always did. He loved, in his own way, as he always did. We mourn because we need more time. We needed more memories. Stanley will never get to see any of his children married. He’ll never hold any of his grandchildren or spoil them beyond comprehension. He’ll never reap what he struggled so hard to sow as a foreigner in a strange land. He’ll never again run to the liquor store to buy bottles when he hears we’re coming into town. He’ll never again say the politically incorrect thing and throw a room into thunderous laughter. His desk, in the kitchen, where he watched reel after reel of Nigerian news will always be empty and with it a table of loss has been set in our hearts.
So, we are asking for you, our family, our community, our village, to help bury our friend, father and husband. He is an ocean away and once the travel ban is lifted, we will cross that ocean to celebrate his life and lay him to rest. Whatever you are able to give towards our goal is immensely appreciated. We know Stanley lives on in us and we know this too shall pass. We thank you in advance for
Stanley is survived by a kind and courageous wife Chinyere Grace Nweke and five beautifully talented children: Endurance, Emmanuel (Bobby), Stanley Jr, Precious, and Justice. Stanley Sr. is gone but never forgotten.
Some additional ways to give are:
Cashapp- $GraceNweke
Venmo- @JusticeNweke
On Wednesday May 27th, the world lost a treasure. A wrestler lost his final match. A loving father and husband whispered his final I love you into the wind.
In January of this year, Stanley (Sr.) and his wife, Grace, traveled to Nigeria to bury Stanley’s own father, Eze (Chief) Sylvanus Amadi Nweke, who passed in November of 2019. Grace returned back to the US to be with her children and to resume work. A true family man and community builder, Stanley stayed to console his community, a village who had just lost their beloved chief.
He was originally scheduled to return to the US in mid-March, but due to the Covid-19 Pandemic his return trip was canceled and a flight ban was placed on all international travel to and from the US. Stanley was forced to stay in Nigeria and extend his stay. He spoke with us, his family, frequently telling of us of the watchful eye he was keeping on flights back to us. In the meantime, he took joy in sharing his dreams - seeds of the businesses he wanted to plant and the wealth he planned to reap. “Just wait until I come back and we will talk”, he said.
As May approached, Stanley’s health started to decline. He lost his appetite and his strong voice full of joy started to wane. Summoning strength and forcing faith to show up stronger than his fear, he continued to call, crack jokes, and dream for the full future with his family. He was a strong man so when he opted to be hospitalized, we knew things were serious. On the 27th of May, Stanley Nweke died of congestive cardiac failure.
Words hold no weight to the pain we are feeling. We lost our pillar, our lover, and laughter. We take heart knowing he fought as he always did. He remained strong as he always did. He loved, in his own way, as he always did. We mourn because we need more time. We needed more memories. Stanley will never get to see any of his children married. He’ll never hold any of his grandchildren or spoil them beyond comprehension. He’ll never reap what he struggled so hard to sow as a foreigner in a strange land. He’ll never again run to the liquor store to buy bottles when he hears we’re coming into town. He’ll never again say the politically incorrect thing and throw a room into thunderous laughter. His desk, in the kitchen, where he watched reel after reel of Nigerian news will always be empty and with it a table of loss has been set in our hearts.
So, we are asking for you, our family, our community, our village, to help bury our friend, father and husband. He is an ocean away and once the travel ban is lifted, we will cross that ocean to celebrate his life and lay him to rest. Whatever you are able to give towards our goal is immensely appreciated. We know Stanley lives on in us and we know this too shall pass. We thank you in advance for
Stanley is survived by a kind and courageous wife Chinyere Grace Nweke and five beautifully talented children: Endurance, Emmanuel (Bobby), Stanley Jr, Precious, and Justice. Stanley Sr. is gone but never forgotten.
Some additional ways to give are:
Cashapp- $GraceNweke
Venmo- @JusticeNweke
Organizer and beneficiary
Justice Nweke
Organizer
Capitol Heights, MD
Mary Weke
Beneficiary