Benjamin A. Kotey Jr.

He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God. himself will be with them; [4] he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away. Rev. 21 3-4 Benjamin Amon Nikoi Kotey Jr, affectionately known as Bra Nikoi or Ben was born on April 10, 1947, in Accra Ghana West Africa to the late Mr. Benjamin Amon Kotey and late Madame Elizabeth Dedei Aryee of Nikoi Olai family of Asere Djorshie and Ayi Deki family Gbese Anaje We, respectively. Bra Nikoi was the eldest son and second born of 12 children to an electrical engineer father and a mother who was both a housewife and entrepreneur. Bra Nikoi started his early life at Adabraka Asylum Down but at age six, together with his younger siblings, moved to the family house at Kaneshie Estates. At Kaneshie, Bra Nikoi grew up amongst several extended family members. This formed the foundation for Ben’s love of family and social interactions. Bra Nikoi began his basic education at Hansen Road, (Korle Gonno), and finished at Kaneshie Awudome Cluster of schools under the watchful eyes of the renowned disciplinarian Teacher Kotei. Bra Nikoi rounded up his second and third-tier schooling by attending Tarkwa Technical and Takoradi Polytechnic University where he obtained an HND in welding mechanics and metallurgy. Ben was a longtime member of the charismatic Kwame Nkrumah’s Young Pioneers. In the summer of 1964, Ben was among the group of the selected few known as “Youth of Excellence” within the Young Pioneer movement offered the opportunity to visit Russia. As like most Ghanaians, soccer was his first love, Ben was an excellent soccer player and played for the local Kaneshie Black Pool. It was rumored he caught the eyes of one Gifty Naa Darkua because of his spectacular soccer field presence. He was also an ardent supporter of the Phobians, Accra Hearts of Oak and would proudly don the rainbow colors of the team, singing the anthem with his buddies on Sundays. Ben started his professional career with the Ghanaian-British Steel company, Dorma Long and later joined the Volta Aluminum Company (VALCO). He bravely migrated to the USA in April 1973. Ben was a fierce competitor, a loyal, fun-loving friend, and very determined to set his own path in life. His decision to migrate to the United States was made despite the protestation of his father who was concerned about the racial tensions of the 1970s in the USA. Shortly upon arriving to the USA, he accepted a position with Krafft Service Corporation, an air conditioning company based in Alexandria, Virginia for several years. In addition to his HVAC background, he worked as a Shipping and Receiving Manager for the Smithsonian National Art Institute for over a decade. Prior to his medical retirement, Ben was the lead shop foreman for over 20 years at C.B. Lucas in Dumfries, Virginia. After years of long-distance dating, his childhood sweetheart, Gifty Dodoo, arrived in the US from London in 1977. The pair married on May 27, 1978. Shortly after, their union was blessed with their first child, Wanda Naadei Kotey on October 12th, 1978. They went on to have two additional children, Aaron Nii Kote Kotey, and Elizabeth (Lisa) Naa Kuorkor Kotey. After successfully putting all three children through school and watching them graduate, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Kotey were blessed with two bonus sons, Richard McAddy and Hassan Brown and a total of 6 grandchildren: Jesiah Kotey, Simone Stiell, Aiden Stiell, Noah McAddy, Ezra Brown, and Emory Brown. Ben loved many things, but his top choices of enjoyment were sports, fashion and having a good time with family and friends. Ben loved to watch professional sports, specifically, American Football, Soccer, Wrestling, Boxing and Tennis. His Favorite teams were Manchester United and the Washington Commanders (formally known as The Redskins). He enjoyed both Wrestling Federations, WWF & WWE. In addition to sports, Ben had a passion for fashion. He always dressed impeccably, and each ensemble would accompany one of his famous Kangol hats. The Kotey residence was known for hosting the best and memorable parties in the area. While Ben was a true family advocate, his generosity and spirit to help others flowed to extended family members and friends within the community. He and Gifty served as a gateway for others to establish a life here in the United States. He was a pioneer migrant who paved the way for our collective success. His courageous steps across new horizons planted seeds of hope and opportunity, ensuring that our family's legacy would be one of love, strength, unity, and perseverance. Through his acts of service and commitment to others he was adored and referred to often as “dad” by many members of the local Ghanian community. Ben was the epitome of a warrior. Since 2009 he endured many health battles in which he defeated. His last battle which occurred in March 2023 was the toughest of all and really showcased his strength and determination to fight. He fought a long two-month journey in the intensive care unit and caused every physician on the unit to be a believer of his strength. Ultimately, as his condition progressed, he chose to come home on hospice to spend his remaining days surrounded by his family and in the comforts of his home. Benjamin Amon Nikoi Kotey went to rest with his maker on June 26, 2023, Although, his death is difficult to accept for his family, siblings, the many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will sorely miss him, we are comforted by the knowledge that Bra Nikoi, Ben, died in the Lord and he is free from pain and suffering. He will rise with a glorious body at the resurrection when the saints go marching in. Rest in Peace Trailblazer, Yaa wo ojogbaa. *Please note: The family requests that those in attendance wear all WHITE to all services. **Hotel accommodations: Spring Hill Suites- cutoff date is 9 August 2023 https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriott.com%2Fevents%2Fstart.mi%3Fid%3D1690485848775%26key%3DGRP&data=05%7C01%7C%7C5d7e815cdf1144b8112408db8ed743aa%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638260827430807953%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GOTNgDYD73%2Bkf%2F7%2FboqdEHEZ0ieNNfNqmkjnZyajwcY%3D&reserved=0 Hilton Garden Inn - The cutoff date is on August 14, 2023. Reservation Booking Code: "KF23" Booking Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=DCAWBGI&groupCode=KF23&arrivaldate=2023-08-16&departuredate=2023-08-20&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Tributes

Benjamin A. Kotey Jr.

June 26, 2023