Abraha Tsehai

Ato Abraha Tsehai was born on August 3rd 1930 to Tsehai Bezabeh and Zertihun Kebede in Axum, Ethiopia, where he spent most of his childhood with his grandmother whom he adored and spoke of till the end. After concluding elementary education, he moved to Addis Ababa and enrolled at what is currently known as Medhane Alem High School, formerly Bal-Abatu, where he completed his education and graduated with a diploma. His entire professional career was spent at the Ethiopian Airlines, where he worked happily until his retirement. Starting as an airline mechanic trainee, then as an airline mechanic & subsequently as Planning and Control manager, where he achieved recognition and awards. He loved his work and would often share stories about his time spent at the airline. He also managed to continue learning and earned a diploma in Business Management from La Salle Extension University, Chicago, IL.

Ato Abraha married the love of his life, Abeba Abraha, in 1957. They went on to have five children, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Ato Abraha adored his wife and loved his family. He was well respected and admired by his friends, family and neighbors alike. He spent weekends in Sodere where he would take his family camping and enjoy the hot springs. He loved reading books, history and Politics were among his favorite subjects. He loved classical music, with particular admiration for Mozart and Beethoven. Although traveling was not quite his forte, his duties at the Airline required it and thus he was able to see the world. In 1994, he came to the United States with his wife to join their children. He showed his courage by facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Ato Abraha came out a hero as he stayed strong until the end.

Ato Abraha passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family & friends. We were blessed to have him and he will be missed dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife Abeba Abraha, and their five children, Hirut, Fana, Yared, Samuel, Tsion, and their respective spouses; seven grandchildren, Aden, Abdoulghani, Ibraheme, Ismael, Maaryam, Zema, Kidus; three great grandchildren, Habeebo,Hebah,Salwa, his siblings Tadelech, Tadelech, Feteha Negest, Fikre Mariam, Almaz, Woubitu, Nardos, Elias, Eleni, Ermias, Feseha, Zewdu, Eyob along with many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents Tsehai and Zertihun and siblings Tarik, Berhane and Hailey Mikael.