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Kefas Ali Caleb

December 6, 1972 - October 12, 2017

Kefas Ali Caleb passed away in hospital in Jos, Nigeria on the night of Thursday, October 12, 2017.

He was surrounded by his family and his dear wife, Angela. He was 44 years old.

Kefas was predeceased by his mother Ramat, and is survived by his wife Angela, daughter Bellaku, his father Caleb, siblings Ruth, Rahila, Cornelius, Kenan, Samuel, Mabe, and Jeremiah, and nieces and nephews Grace, Mercy, Precious, and Samuel.

Kefas was born December 6, 1972 in Maiduguri, Nigeria to Caleb Wange Tutu Ali and Ramat Damara. He grew up in Maiduguri and Bauchi and received a diploma in 2006 in Business Administration and Management from the Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi.

He was a talented program manager and youth worker with the YMCA of Nigeria when he met his first wife, Christine Parsons, in 2008. They married in July 2009 in Nigeria and Kefas immigrated to Canada in April 2010. Their daughter, Bellaku Ramat Maryam Caleb, was born October 14, 2010 in Revelstoke General Hospital.

In Revelstoke, Kefas worked for CPR and the sawmill, as well as City Furniture when he first arrived. He became a dedicated member of C3 Church, and contributed to the Multicultural Society. Later he joined Titan Environmental which took him to project sites around BC and western Canada.

While working, Kefas completed a post-graduate certificate in project management from Royal Roads University in Victoria.

Kefas became a Canadian citizen in May 2015. 

Kefas always remained dedicated and closely connected with his family and community in Nigeria. He supported his nieces Grace and Mercy, ensuring they received the best quality of schooling, and was a board member of a children's charity there.

He met his soul mate, Angela Garba, on a trip home to Nigeria and they married in June 2016. Kefas and Angela were planning to settle in Victoria.

Kefas's memory will live on through his vivacious, bright, and caring daughter, Bellaku (whose name means "Praise God" in Kefas's native language, Tula), through his family and friends in Nigeria, and through the many lives he touched in his Canadian home of Revelstoke and beyond.

Kefas was buried in Bauchi, Nigeria on October 15, 2017.

A service to remember and celebrate Kefas will be held at C3 Church in Revelstoke on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 6:30 pm, followed by tea and coffee. All are welcome. He will also be remembered by friends at the Craft Bierhaus in Revelstoke on Saturday, October 21 from 3 pm. 

Donations are being collected to assist Kefas's family in Nigeria, particularly his nieces' school fees. Contact Donovan Gentles for information: 250-814-7808.