Nelson Emmanuel Segla Tamakloe, 76, passed away at home after a long illness on December 16, 2018, in Sandy Hook, CT.
He was born on October 10, 1942, in Lagos, Nigeria, to Gilbert Demetrius Adaleteh Tamakloe and Rhoda Kate Oyeyemi Bajulaiye. After graduating from the University of Ghana in 1965 with a degree in Administration, he came to the United States for what was supposed to be a temporary textile internship in Rhode Island, where he met his future wife. He studied at Columbia University and Baruch, obtained his CPA license, and began a long career in finance, working for CBS, Merck, Union Carbide and finally Praxair, from which he retired after more than 25 years of service.
In his social life, he was a former Rotary Club member, popular soccer coach, and longtime member of the Newtown United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school and was a lay preacher. A champion of higher education, he enjoyed mentoring young people both in the local community and abroad in Nigeria and Ghana, encouraging academic and professional success.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Sylvia, who cared for him faithfully throughout his illness, a son, Nelson K. Tamakloe, of Northampton, MA, a daughter, Rhoda, of Sandy Hook, CT, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Gift, Ernest, Cyril (Macaulay), Vidal, and Harold; and sisters Victoria, Jane, Ashia, Peace, Comfort, Beatrice, Grace, Caroline, and Doris.
Calling hours are from 6 p.m. to 8.p.m. at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, CT on Friday, December 28th. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 29th at the Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, CT. Burial will be private.