Since it’s establishment in 2010, NCOSHA served the following members to rest by supporting their family and friends in various circumstances. In future, we will write their biography on this page.
1. Mr. Berhanu Chala
Our dear brother Berhanu was the founder of our NCOSHA association. He helped the association by writing the first bylaw and by solving all legal problems.
Berhanu was born in Ethiopia. He graduated in law degree and he practiced law both in Ethiopia and in United States until he departed us. He was remembered as humble, honest and kind person. He survived by his daughters, grand children and wife.
He was the first person that our NCOSHA members helped.
2. Dr. Bekele Anisa
Our dear brother, beloved husband, father, and community leader Dr. Bekele H. Anisa has suddenly departed us in the morning of January 4th, 2022. This tragedy has devastated his family and shocked his friends. He was known to his friends as a humble, honest, and a kind person. Dr. Bekele survived by his wife, and two children.
He was born at Kurfo Gutee Kebele near Waliso town, Ethiopia. After completing his high school education in Bishoftu, he moved to Germany where he received a Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine from Leipzig University. Until his departure, he had worked as Associate Veterinarian at Banfield Veterinary Hospital of Sacramento, California and prior to that he had worked at University of California Davis.
NCOSHA members supported his funeral and memorial service.
3. Mr. Abera Shokicha
Our dear friend, beloved husband, loving father, brother, and a local church and community member Mr. Abera M Shokicha has sadly lost his 3-years battle with an illness and passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The early departure of Abera has devastated his young family and everyone who knows him as a charming, kind, humble, respectful, and disciplined man. He survived by his amazing wife, a wonderful son, and a beautiful daughter.
Abera obtained his degree in Biochemistry in 2014 from San Francisco State University. He worked tirelessly to provide a bright future for his children and even worked during the toughest fights of his illness to ensure the wellbeing of his family.
NCOSHA members supported his funeral and memorial service.
4. Mr. Gemechu Tesema
Our community member and our father Mr. Gemechu Tesema was born in 1942 in Ethiopia. He gets educated in theology and served as ministry leader and teacher in various part of the country.
He moved to Sacramento, California area from Ethiopia and he spent much of his retirement time living with his children, grandchildren, and extended family until he departs us on December 2, 2020, by the age of 78.
He was a man who had the utmost reverence for God; a man who lived in faith; who constantly prayed; who always gave thanks to the Lord; who cared deeply about his family, his country, his people, and peace.
He survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters, and grandchildren. He was remembered as kind, loving, and caring father.
NCOSHA members supported his memorial service.
5. Mrs. Zewde Abebe Beyan
Our community member and our mother Mrs. Zewide Abebe moved to San Jose, California in the year 2008. She spent much of her time living with her children, grandchildren, and extended family until she departs us in October 1, 2022.
She was a woman who had the the utmost reverence for God; a woman who lived in faith; who constantly prayed; who always gave thanks to the Lord; who cared deeply about her family, her country, her people, and peace.
She survived by her sons, daughters, and grand children. She was remembered as kind, loving, and caring mother.
NCOSHA members supported her memorial service.
6. Gedewon Bussery
Our NCOSHA founder Gedewon was born on January 28, 1950 in Arsi Zone, Zeway Dugda Woreda, Ethiopia. Born to his father Mekonnen Bussery, and his mother Gabi Hamda. He grew up among six sisters and five brothers. As the firstborn of his mother and a cherished member of a large extended family, from a young age Gedewon stood out for his intelligence, gentle spirit and commitment to learning.
He began his academic journey at Addis Ababa University, studying Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. However, political unrest in Ethiopia interrupted his studies and forced him into exile, a life-altering moment that demanded courage and resilience. Rather than allowing this disruption to define him, Gedewon adapted with quiet strength, eventually finding his way to the United States, where he rebuilt his life from the ground up.
In California, Gedewon continued his education at San Jose State University, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1989. He went on to build a long and respected career in electronics and computer engineering at IBM and Thermo – Fisher Scientific.
Beyond his career, Gedewon’s true impact was felt in the lives he touched. He was a calm and thoughtful presence, a man whose advice carried weight because it was always rooted in care and honesty. Many newly arrived Ethiopian immigrants found in him a mentor and guide someone who offered help freely, without expecting recognition or praise.
Gedewon also had a sharp sense of humor and a gift for storytelling often blending wisdom with wit in a way that brought laughter and connection to those around him. Conversation with him were lesson in patience, curiosity, and reflection.
Gedwon survived by his wife Almaz Ketebo along with many relatives and friends. He passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, at the age of 75, surrounded by love.
NCOSHA members supported his memorial service.