Obituary Father of “Black Jew,” Popular Bronx, New York, Businessman Passes Away

By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr.

The death of Mr. Alfred K. Larbi was reported at the St. Dominic’s Hospital, Akyem-Akwatia, in the Eastern Region of Ghana, on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. He was 72 years old and died of complications resulting from a massive stroke that he suffered over a period of three days, according to Ms. Comfort Akua Animwaa, wife of the deceased.

Born in 1936, to Ms. Adwoa Ohenewaa and Mr. Kwadwo Mante, of the Akwaside and Akowie clans of Akuapem-Adukrom, respectively, the late Alfred Kwaku Larbi attended the Asamankese Presbyterian Primary and Middle schools between 1942 and 1952 and briefly worked as a retail trader, before taking up farming as his full-time occupation.

His eldest son, Mr. Martin Kwabena Larbi, a popular Bronx, New York businessman (alias Black Jew), described the late Mr. Alfred Larbi as one who was deeply committed to his family and also ensured that each and every one of his children had the opportunity to develop their skills and talents to the best of their abilities. “Black Jew” also cited the fact that his deceased father had opted to pursue a monogamous relationship with his wife, Ms. Comfort Animwaa, as an admirable mark of responsibility, both as a husband and a loving father to his children.

“You see, my father came of age in a generation in which it was quite common for fairly well-to-do men like my father to have two, three or even sometimes four wives! And yet, my father absolutely saw no need to have any other woman in his life besides his wife, my mother,” Black Jew said and promptly added, “What is also admirable about my father is that, unlike many of his peers, he never fathered any child out of wedlock or an extra-marital affair.”

Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2008, at Akuapem-Adukrom, where the late Mr. Alfred Kwaku Larbi will be buried. His burial will be preceded by an all-night vigil on Friday, August 29, 2008, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., after which a memorial service will be held at the Akuapem-Adukrom Presbyterian Church. There will also be a Thanksgiving service at the Akuapem-Adukrom Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 31, 2008.

Besides his wife of 52 years, Ms. Comfort Akua Animwaa, and his eldest son, Martin Kwabena Larbi, or “Black Jew,” the late Mr. Alfred Kwaku Larbi is survived by five other children, namely, Emmanuel and Comfort, of Accra-Ghana; Gladys, Samuel and William Larbi, all of New York City, USA.

One of the deceased’s two daughters, Gladys, described her father as “a very indulgent and doting father.” But Gladys was also quick to add that she was primarily and exclusively speaking for herself: “I can’t deny that I was my father’s favorite child. Now that he is gone, I feel a big hole in my heart. But I am also consoled by the fact that Papa is with God.”

Also surviving the late Alfred Kwaku Larbi are five siblings, namely, Akua Prah, of Koforidua-Ghana; Amma Agyeibea and Abena Ohenewaa, both of Asamankese-Ghana; and Gladys and Emmanuel Larbi, educators, of Kade- and Mepom-Ghana, respectively.

The deceased is also survived by 12 grandchildren, as well as legions of cousins, in-laws and other clan and extended-family members and relatives, as well as friends and associates.