By Edward Vamboi
Indeed, they always say that there must come a time in one’s life when one will surely depart from this earth. Of course it is always a sad moment but death is inevitable. For now the Sesay family is in grief as they have lost a big “Cotton Tree” in the family in the person of the late Edward Baimba Sesay.
The late man was born on the 26 September, 1940, in Kamabai , Bombali District to the late Mr. Edward Baimba Sesay was born on the 26th September 1940, in Kamabai, Bombali District to the late Mr. Ernest Numeh Sesay and Mrs. Mae Sesay, and died on the 25th January 2021, at age 80.
Pa Sesay, as he was lately called, is survived by his wife Mrs. Fatu B. Sesay and ten (10) children; Pastor Edward Ezekiel B. Sesay, Mae Sesay, Ndamoh Kanu (Nee Sesay) Jenny Sesay, Esther Sesay, Ayorinde Sesay, Posseh Sesay, Numeh Sesay, Joseph Sesay and Mercy Sesay. He is also survived by his adopted son, Dr. Alfred Kamara.His siblings also included the Late Mrs. Alice Koroma, Reverend Jenny Sesay, Mrs. Hellen Kuyembe, Mr Joseph Sesay, Mrs. Esther Conteh, Mr. Kalawa Sesay and Mr. Soraque Sesay (all of blessed memories). Mr. Martin Sesay, Mrs. Kadiatu Kanu, M
rs. Hellen kamara, Madam Yabu Sesay and Mrs. Amie Conteh are his surviving siblings. Pa Sesay, spent the early years of his life with his uncle Pa Wundeh, with whom he was trading with. At age 13, his elder sister, the late Reverend Jenny Conteh demanded that he stopped trading to start schooling. He was then enrolled into standard (Class) 1 at the Kabala Primary School, Given his high intellect and maturity (the age at which he was enrolled – age 13), he spent less years than were required for primary education, and sat to the common entrance examination for the UCC St. Andrews in Bo.
Following his secondary education, he commenced work at the DELCO Marampa mines, and became the youngest National Workers Union President at that time. After several years of work at the mines, the Company rounded up and Mr. Sesay, from his savings bought a taxi which he called “KANUNANKI (Na God dae gi)”.
In 1978, he acquired a scholarship to study pharmacology in Budapest, Hungary, and returned to Sierra Leone in 1983. Upon his return, he worked at the Sierra Leone Medical Stores as a Pharmacist for decades till his retirement in 2006. Given his love for is profession, Pa Sesay opened his Pharmacy at Bright Street Brookfields, and called it gain, “KANUNANKI”, by which he was fondly called till his demise. KANUNAKI, the pharmacy was merely his hub for having company. Most times, he used the returns from the pharmacy to buy food for the less privileged, give transport fares and would even give free treatments/medication to some people.
Mr. Edward B. Sesay was very passionate about God and humanity and he served both with so much ease and enthusiasm till his last breath. He was one of the founding members of the Lunsar Baptist Church (European Baptist Convention), and for those who were opportune to have heard his story, he would have proudly told them of their experience of the “Night of Pentecost- Visitation of the Holy Spirit and Speaking in tongues during a three (3) days period of fasting and prayers in the land that was given to them by the Chief to build the church and the eye clinic. That was a glorious experience for him and he was always happy to tell the story.
He was also a faithful member of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone, Brookfield’s Branch and ensured to attend all church services and programs for which he was chanced. Till the last week of his time on earth, he attended church services and finally, a worship concert on the last Saturday before he passed away on a Monday.
He had a unique character blend that made him to be loved, admired and respected by many that crossed his path. He loved passionately, very humorous but was quite disciplined and had a strong character. He would stood his ground for what he believed in with so much passion.
He was a loyalist. He was however quite humble, comfortable to be around and a great company. This attracted his children, relatives, nephews and nieces, of all ages, including neighbors, friends and church members to him. He was giving without expecting – a philanthropist. Pa Sesay raised countless children including relatives and none relatives. He respected education to a point that he would not save a dime to ensure he assists anyone he believed desires education that do not have the means. He was also a happy man, free spirited and loved life; he lived it to the fullest.
Even though he was blatant about the truth, he was very peaceful, a unifier and rendered advice effortlessly and endlessly. He will be greatly missed by his family, the church, relatives and friends.
May his gentle soul Rest in Perfect Peace.
