In Memoriam
ESFNA expresses its condolence on the passing of Ato Fereja Seifu
It’s with great grief that we share the sad news of the passing of Ato Fereja Seifu. He passed away on November 25th at the age of 57 after battling illness for a while. Fereja affectionately called “Freddy” by many has been participating in ESFNA since 1991 for the Portland team, as a player and board member. He was a die-hard ESFNA member and supporter as he always had ideas to improve our organization. His friends will always remember him as a great person, friendly, sociable and one who loved soccer…. simply a man with a great heart!. Rest in peace Freddy! May God rest your soul!
Remembering Abi Muluneh
ESFNA MOURNS THE PASSING OF PORTLAND ETHIOPIAN SPORTS CLUB PLAYER ABI MULUNEH.
Abush Muluneh or “Abi” as he was affectionately called by many was an active soccer player of the Portland Ethiopian Sports Club since 2011 whose life was cut short at the young age of 20. Abi wasn’t ill nor did he he have any health issues; he simply passed away as he was taking a nap.
He will be significantly missed by his teammates, friends and family in Portland, Ethiopia and at ESFNA. ESFNA expresses it condolences to those that loved him including his brother Ayele, who is the club’s board member and an active player himself. May God rest his Soul and give him Everlasting Peace.
ESFNA Family
Remembering Dawit Berhe
ESFNA EXPRESSES ITS CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF DAWIT BERHE.
ESFNA is deeply saddened at the news of the untimely death of Dawit Berhe, affectionately known to his friends by his nick name “Jungo”, as a result of a car accident in Florida, where he resided. Dawit played professionally for various clubs in Ethiopia including Medhin and Mekelakeya. After coming to the US in 2005, he also played for multiple ESFNA teams including St Michael, and San Francisco.
Dawit was a friend to many and he will be sorely missed by so many friends he touched in ESFNA. May God rest his soul and we express our deepest condolences to his friends and family.”
ESFNA Family
Remembering Abel Dessalegn
ESFNA MOURNS THE LOSS OF A BELOVED PLAYER, ABEL DESSALEGN.
Abel grew up with his grandparents in Ethiopia and after he finished middle school he joined his mother in the U.S. He finished high school & graduated from UMD. He was very active in the Ethiopian Student Union while he was in college. He played soccer growing up in Ethiopian and played in every school he attended as well as in ESFNA tournaments for at least 15 years representing the DC EthioStars. He was loved by his family and his friends for his positive and respectful attitude. He was always cheerful when he played soccer on the field or on the bench. He will be missed….May God Rest his Soul!
ESFNA Family
ESFNA Remembers Tessema Dosho Shiferraw
ESFNA EXPRESSES ITS CONDOLENCES DUE TO THE PASSING OF THE DOSHO DESIGNS FOUNDER AND COMMUNITY LEADER.
Ato Tessema was a major sponsor of ESFNA clubs (the San Francisco Walias and LA Stars) for many years and ESFNA in 2006. All those that met him or had a working relationship with his company are deeply grateful of the support; recognize his contributions and imprint on society as the founder of Dosho Designs and as the honorable individual that he was. May he Rest In Peace!
ESFNA Family
Ato Tessema’s story is of the American dream come true. Shifferaw’s father was a general in the army of the late Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia. A socialist revolution overthrew the emperor and stripped Shifferaw’s family of nearly everything it owned. He came to America at age 17 with just $500 in his pocket and supported himself working as a cab driver.
While working on a student project at San Francisco City College, Dosho came up with the idea for the Bowflex exercise machine. He patented the concept and attempted to license the idea to fitness equipment manufacturers. Lacking vision, they all declined. He then wrote a business plan with help from the MBDA, and started marketing the product directly to consumers in the early 1980s. He led his company to a successful IPO, forming a public company called Direct Focus, Inc. (DFXI) with a market cap of over $1 billion. Millions of Bowflex units have been sold in the United State and abroad, and the brand is now owned and marketed by The Nautilus Group (NYSE:NLS). Dosho has 14 patents and 4 pending patents worldwide.
Dosho Design’s products are focused on making quick workouts worthwhile and efficient for people of all ages and fitness levels. The company designs and markets several products that offer cardiovascular, strength training, and core body workout. These products can be used at home, fitness centers, health clubs, and schools. Dosho Design is a privately held company located in Albany, CA.
In Remembrance
Fekadu Yohannes
L.A. Dallol