My Tribute to Chris: A True Friend and a Classmate!

By Sly Edaghese

I'm writing this with a heavy heart, as I've just learned of the passing of my dear friend Chris. We shared a special bond, forged during our time together at New York University in the 1970s.

Chris was a larger-than-life figure, with a commanding presence and a heart of gold. We met in our Economics class, where our professor, Melami, would often call on me to explain complex concepts to the class. Chris was impressed by my explanations and we quickly became inseparable.

Our friendship was built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared sense of adventure. We would often attend disco halls and punk clubs together, where Chris worked as a bouncer. He had a reputation for being fearless and would often intervene in disputes to protect his friends.

One of my fondest memories of Chris was his ability to make me laugh. He had a wicked sense of humor and would often tease me about my Nigerian accent. But he was also fiercely loyal and would defend me to anyone who dared to cross me.

As we grew older, our lives took different paths. Chris relocated to Nigeria, and later to Britain, while I returned to Nigeria and eventually moved to the US. We stayed in touch through Facebook, where Chris would often share updates about his life.

News of Chris' passing has left me devastated. I'll miss our banter, our laughter, and our deep conversations. My heart goes out to his family, including his wife, Dr. Ayo, and their children, David and Philip.

Rest in peace, my dear friend Chris. You may be gone, but your memory will live on in my heart forever.

Sly Edaghese

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

slyedaghese@yahoo.com