Bekele Cherinet
November 24, 1942 — July 11, 2019
Bekele Cherinet, age 76, died Thursday, July 11, 2019 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Maryland. Bekele was born in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia to Mr. Cherinet W/Mariam and Mrs. Laketch Mulat on November 24, 1942.
Bekele had a life-long passion for tennis and listening to classical music and in his younger days also enjoyed reading books, playing soccer and dancing.
After graduating from Teacher's Training School, he taught in Gondar and in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. Eventually, he worked for Siemens Electrical Company for about 12 years; after which he ran his own Company: “Mabrat Electric Shop” in Addis Abeba. In 1991, he moved to the United States to join his family (five of his daughters, and his wife who at the time worked for the United Nations in New York City). He also soon found employment at the UN and served as a Document Clerk until he retired at the age of 62.
After retirement, he was living in Pennsylvania with his wife and his youngest daughter (Gelila). Because of his Parkinson’s disease, he and his wife moved to Connecticut (Mekdelawit) and then Denver (Elizabeth), until settling down in Maryland in 2012, to be assisted by their eldest daughters (Seble and Misrak). As his disease continued to take its toll and he lost his ability to walk (in-home Hospice care), he was lovingly attended by his wife (Tsige), Seble and Misrak in his home in Maryland until his passing on July 11, 2019.
Mr. Bekele is survived by his wife Tsige and his five daughters: Seble, Misrak, Elsabeth, Mekdelawit, Gelila, one adopted and true son Demelash and 20 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 9 siblings.
Special thanks to the people of Gilchrist Hospice, for their loving care and support during his final days.
A celebration of life service will be held at Norbeck Memorial Park, Chapel, 16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, Maryland 20832 on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Interment services will follow at the grave site. At the conclusion of the grave site services the family invites everyone to a reception, which will be held at Mt. Airy Bible Church, 16700 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy, MD. 21771.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to American Parkinson Disease Association.