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IN LOVING MEMORY OF CLLR. ROBERT NUMEHNI GBARBEA
LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, BROTHER, NEPHEW, UNCLE, DISCIPLINARIAN, PROFESSIONAL, FAITHFUL SERVANT OF GOD; DEDICATED WORKER
“ Soft and low, the mourners sigh we hear, from sorrow fount, will flow the falling tears, sad and sore, the heart by grief oppress when parting has broken the ties that love has blessed, yet that love in brighter realms shall bloom to charm the life beyond the tomb”(Handel Messiah)
Born unto the blessed union of Mr. James Y. Gbarbea Sr. and Ms. Mary Gonoe in Bong Mines, Bong County on April 17th, 1968 ( Both parents predeceased him). The late Cllr. Robert N. Gbarbea was raised by his mother Mary Gonoe and spent the majority of his adolescent years in Bong Mines, Bong County. He was brought up in a close-knit family of five persons, a mother, and three sisters. He took upon and adequately played the role of a big brother, which strengthened the bond among him, and his sisters, the late Gorma Gbarbea-Kweh, Kona Gbarbea-Dennis, and his surviving sister Zina. While in Bong Mines, a young and vibrant Robert embraced the Christian religion at an early age and was a devoted member of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Upon moving to Monrovia, he became a member of the St. Andrew Lutheran Church, then later the Remedy Chapel International and the Holy Spirit Ministry. During his stay in Bong mines and Monrovia, he made lots of life-long friends and acquaintances, whose goodwill and attendance were exemplified during his home-going.
Academically, Cllr. Robert N. Gbarbea attended the Bong Town School, in Bong Mines. He was an outstanding and decorated student who graduated as dux of his class. Being a man of immense wisdom, he quickly made it known that he was well ahead of time and was determined to create his own path. With a burning desire for success and an uncanny ability to take calculated risks, he initiated a bold step to enroll at the University of Liberia where he obtained a BSC. in Mathematics and a Minor in Physic. He also obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) Degree in 2001 from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, and was admitted as an Attorney-at-law at the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in June 2002 and in 2006 as a Counselor-at-law of the Supreme Court of Liberia in January.
Not being satisfied, he obtained several certificates; a certificate of Achievement in the Rule of Law course conducted in Sweden by the Folke Bernadotte Academy of Sweden and the Zentrum Fur Internationale Friedenseinsatze (Zif) of Germany, a Certificate of Achievement in Legislative Drafting course conducted in Monrovia, by the United Kingdom Royal Institute of Public Administration, where he obtained a certificate for successful completion in Oct. 2016. He also obtained certificates from the United Nations Civilian Staff Officers Course (UNCIVSOC) at SWEDINT in Sweden and a certificate of recognition in Conflict Management for Peacekeepers. A course conducted in Monrovia, by the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) based in South Africa and was a member of the Liberia delegation to the Legal Aid Conference in Argentina, in November 2016.
Cllr. Robert N. Gbarbea worked at several entities, ranging from the government, NGOs, and private sector. Amongst the entities that he worked for but not limited to are the following: City Construction Inc. as Acting Chief Executive Officer (Attorney-in-fact). The Gbarbea, Reeves, and Associates (GR&A) Law Firm as its Managing Partner. He also worked for the Kemp & Associates Law Firm, during his early days in the law profession. He works for the DAK, Inc. Law Firm, the United Nations Missions in Liberia (UNMIL), as Legal Advisor and Legal Associate/Legal Liaison Officer Assigned at the Ministry of Justice in 2010 – 2014. The Late Robert N. Gbarbea joined the Carter Center, where he was serving as Deputy Chief of Party & Senior Legal Associates, before his demise.
He was a towering family member in the Gbarbea, and Gonoe families who showed a depth of love, care, and concern for not only immediate family members but to many persons including strangers. He will certainly be missed. Oh yes, we will miss him for the values he showed us: - Showing love to everyone - Treating everyone equally with respect - Being receptive to everyone - Feeding the hungry.
With the home-going of Cllr. Robert N. Gbarbea, the family has lost a loving husband, father, in-law, brother, nephew, and uncle and his employer, a dedicated employee. He was a trusted friend to all, a genuine and sincere person who would always give his all; and Liberia has lost a Patriot who always believe and care for his country.
This sad event occurred in Liberia on Monday, June 21, 2021, at the hour of 4:30 am, at his home, on the Robertfield’s Highway, Baptist Seminary Community, with his loving wife Jackie at his side. He leaves to mourn his loss, his beloved wife and soul mate, Mrs. Jackie McCauley-Gbarbea whom he married November 25, 2012; Children; Tommy, Abraham, Ernest, Clarice, and Clarence. Sisters, Zina, Gradia, Leemu, Venus, Bendu, Gbowoe, Demanie, Masue, Peggy, Marilyn and Musu; brothers James, Emmanuel, Kwenah, Sumo, Sackie, and Mulbah; Several uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a host of other relatives and friends in Liberia and abroad.
The Funeral service was held July 13, 2021, at the Liberia Christian Mission and burial at his wife's family plot in Crozierville, Liberia.
May the soul of my darling and beloved husband Cllr. Robert Numehni Gbarbea, “rest in perfect peace” and light perpetual shine upon him.
Rest on sweetheart, till we meet on that great getting up morning where pain and sorrows will be no more.
Family Contacts
Jackie McCauley- Gbarbea- USA Contact 2404704552 and Liberia Contact 011231 778286171
Zina Gbarbea- 011231 777568528 |
