Antoine Nsang O’Khan Kabwasa passed away peacefully on August 20th in Toledo Ohio at the tender age of 85 surrounded by family and friends. He was loved and will be missed.
Antoine was born in 1939 in a little town called Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He had four brothers and two sisters. He went to the Kinzambi Catholic School in Kikwit. He was among the first scholars selected by the newly independent Congo to go to the United States to study.
He came to the US to study at the University of Michigan where he obtained a Certificate in Communications. He continued his studies at the University of California, Los Angeles and University of Redlands in California, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Government International Relations and Economics in 1964. He received a Master’s from the University of Wisconsin in 1973. He completed a two-year Ph.D. program in Education at the University of Ontario, Canada where he completed all courses but the dissertation in 1976.
From there, Antoine had a rich career, working for the United Nations, UNESCO branch. Antoine’s assignments were dear to his heart because they would lead him to participate in the development of African populations whom he loved. As a UN diplomat, he visited many countries throughout every Continent. One of his missions was to work for the Economic Commission for Africa, in Addis Ababa Ethiopia as the Program Specialist and Senior Officer for Manpower and Training Development in 1977. After his retirement from UNESCO, he also gave various lectures in the Humanities Department at the University of Toledo.
He spoke five languages, KiKongo, Lingala, French, English and Spanish. He was also a storyteller, a poet and an author. One of his works, Pali-Pali, the Bird, and the Mask: a tale from Zaire 1979 received a L’ Harmattan award. It is a story that will be enjoyed for generations.
Antoine was the patriarch of the Kabwasa family. When he left for university studies as a young man in his twenties, it was always important for him to uplift his siblings and fulfill his father’s dream to see the Kabwasa family travel throughout the world. Antoine supported his whole family.
He took care of his late mother Therese Ntesh Olol – Mulolo and father Francois – Nkum Abui, his late brothers Etienne Ngom Otem and Michel MbungMpash as well as his late sister Ampyng-Marie. He also took care of his surviving siblings Constant Nga-Ambun(Madeleine), Janvier Ngun-Etiet and Eugenie Anzang-nkie.
Antoine was married to Angele Kadima-Nzuji, with whom he spent 38 beautiful years. He passed away two days before their wedding anniversary.
He is survived by his spouse Angele, seven daughters: Florence Kabwasa-Green (Richard), Celine Kabwasa Woods (Brian) Andrea Kabwasa, Yannick Mubenga Lubamba (Bob), Sandrine Mubenga Lufungulo (Safari) Adole Kabwasa Krysewsky (Daniel) and Soleita Kabwasa,; two brothers: Constant (Madeleine) and Janvier, one sister Eugenie, his 12 grandchildren (Troy, Taylor, Amara, Kasem, Brison, Etienne, Nahano, Imanga, Osime, Hanah, Nathaniel, Nyota), his 27 nieces, nephews, and great and great- great nieces and nephews.
Antoine passed away in peace and now he is with the Lord.
Visitation was held at the Coyle Funeral Home on Friday, August 23. Funeral Services were conducted on Saturday, August 24, in the mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass at Corpus Christi University Parish. Interment followed at Resurrection Cemetery.