 MONTEE GEORGE TOGBA TARPEH
(Sunrise: January 23, 1949 | Sunset: October 10, 2018)
MEMORIAL SERVICE
December 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM
United Christian Assembly Church (UCAC)
2401 Atlantic Avenue (22 Jardine Place), Brooklyn, New York 11233
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all”Psalm 34:19
Montee George Togba Tarpeh was born on January 23, 1949 in Monrovia, Liberia. He went to eternal rest in his 69th year on October 10, 2018 in Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA, where his remains were cremated. His life on earth was marked by love and care for those who came across his path. He was a towering figure, die-hard family man, great footballer, first-class gentleman, and a patriot of his native Liberia and adopted United States of America.
Montee was raised by a tightly-knit community of the Togba, Bropleh, Wreh, Worjloh, Julu, and Nimely Families. His early life was nurtured and influenced by his late grandfather Haven Togba Tarpeh, late grandmother Juah Wreh Bropleh, late mother Frances Togba Tarpeh, late uncle Wreh Tarpeh and aunty Edna Tarpeh, and late step-grandfather Ginger Kanteah, a confidant of Didwo Tweh ( a famed Liberian politician) .
Montee’s natural gifts of humility, dignity and sense of purpose were grounded in his belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His commitment never wavered in the Christian faith and Episcopalian denomination. He was a registered member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Monrovia, Liberia. His daughter Antonia and son Montee, Jr. received Holy Baptism at the St. St. Paul Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York City. At the behest of his brother-in-law Ishmael Marsh and Sister Blapoh, he occasionally attended service at the United Christian Assembly Church (UCAC) in Brooklyn, New York City.
Montee attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School ( now Cathedral High School) and graduated from Laboratory High School (now the William V. S. Tubman High School), both located in Monrovia, Liberia. After graduation, he worked at the Department of Agriculture (now Ministry of Agriculture) in Monrovia, Liberia.
Montee’s friendship, discipline, dedication to duty was shaped by his involvement with football (soccer). He excelled in practice and local, national and international competitions when he played football in the 1960’s and early 1970’s as a goalkeeper for the Jets Football Club, a junior team; Invincible Eleven (IE), a perennial first division championship team; and the Lone Star (the national team of the Republic of Liberia). At the tender age of 17, he played for a Lone Star team featuring the legendary “best” goalkeeper David Momo, high-flying goalkeeper William Nah, and magic hands goalkeeper Christopher Nippy. With his playing days behind him, he never said goodbye to Liberian football, as he continued to interact with former Liberian football players in Brooklyn, particularly Benedict Wisseh of Lone Star , I.E. and Bame, and Joseph Forkay Nippy of Lone Star and Mighty Barrolle. His superb goalkeeping, unselfish teamwork, fine sportsmanship, and enthusiasm for community service will forever remain indelible in the minds of Liberian football players, fans, and supporters in Liberia and the United States of America.
Montee resettled in the United States in 1971, residing briefly in California and then settling down in New York City. As a new immigrant, he worked for a number of small and medium sized enterprises in the City. He later worked and retired from Macy’s in New York after 18 years due to sudden illness. Montee was a member of the Liberian Association of New York, and Crowd One, a Liberian social club in New York. He coached a Liberian soccer team, a Ghanaian soccer team, and a young Italian team in Brooklyn, New York City.
Montee met and married Shirnette Shawn Blaine in Brooklyn, New York City, which union was blessed with sons Damion, Chadwick and Montee, Jr., daughter Antonia, and grandchildren Andrew, Morrisa, Yesel and Brooklynn; all of whom are alive and mourning the loss of their husband, father , and grandfather. Montee was the oldest of six siblings. He was predeceased by sister Juah Felecia Tarpeh, and brothers Victor Tweh Manneh and Toeba Toe. His surviving siblings are sisters Ruth Gbeh Jacobs of Liberia and Augusta Blapoh Toe Marsh of New York, USA; aunty Edna Tarpeh of Virginia, USA; his closest cousin, bestman and children’s godfather Anthony Nyenneh Wisseh of New Jersey, USA ; and a host of uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends in the United States, Liberia, and other parts of the world.
Family Contacts for Memorial Service:
Sister Augusta Blapoh Toe Marsh (Ishmael Marsh), 347-446-9348
Closest Cousin Anthony Nyenneh Wisseh (Octavia Wisseh), 973-432-6827
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