Dr. Ayele Yeshewalul

Obituary

Dr. Yeshewalul, Ayele (Ayuye) 87, of Toronto, Ontario, passed away on February 13, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Ayele was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Grazmach Yeshewalul Melke Tsedik and Woizero Yemugnushal Damtew on August 01, 1934.  He attended high school at Teferi Mekonnen in Addis Ababa.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in General Agriculture from Alemaya Agricultural College in Harar, Ethiopia. He then obtained a Master of Science degree (MSc) in Animal Husbandry and Pathology from Nebraska University, and a master’s degree in Economic Development and Public Administration (MPA), from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (USA).  He subsequently earned his doctoral degree (PhD), in Agricultural Studies from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

In his career, Ayele was an instructor at Alemaya and Jimma College in Animal Science before serving for several years as the Division Head and Vice Minister of Agriculture, in charge of Animal Production and Health in Ethiopia.  Ayele created the first Livestock and Meat Board within the Ministry of Agriculture, the creation of which greatly improved the agricultural economic sector in Ethiopia. Subsequently, he became the Director of Livestock Production within the Ministry.  After leaving Ethiopia, Ayele worked for many years as a Senior Agricultural Extension, Training, Education, Human Power Senior Specialist and Advisor for Food and agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in Rome, Italy, and in many countries in Africa, in South Asia, and in Papua New Guinea. Ayele enjoyed travelling, reading, singing (his favourite song was Amazing Grace), photography and engaging in adult continuous learning. Ayele strongly believed in giving back to his community and sponsored many orphaned children in Ethiopia who had lost their parents to HIV/AIDS to attend school.

Ayele is survived by his wife, Yitayesh Tegegne of Toronto, Canada, his brother in-law Professor Demissie Habte, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other close relatives.

Memorial donations may be made to University Health Network (UHN), Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital Foundation. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to UHN, Toronto Western Hospital Emergency Department and 3B medical teams, multidisciplinary teams, and staff for providing Dr. Ayele Yeshewalul with medical care and regularly communicating with his wife, Yitayesh, on his progress from the first day of his hospitalization until he passed away. Our special gratitude to Dr. Karen Ng for arranging regular visits by Yitayesh. We also extend our gratitude to Ayele’s night nurse, Yeshi, who advocated for Ayele’s life partner, Yitayesh, to stay by his bedside in his last hours. Yitayesh is grateful that she was able to hold Ayele’s hands, to reassure and comfort him, to tell him how much she loved him, to read him his favourite bible verses and songs until he took his last breath without fear, pain, and suffering.  Our heartfelt appreciation to friends and family who offered their ongoing support and prayers during the most difficult times. A special appreciation to one of Ayele’s nephew, Ato Yonas Hailu, and wife, Woizero Meseret Woldeselassie, and their family, whose ongoing support and love was critical for Yitsyesh. Our appreciation also extends to Ayele’s cousin, Weizero Mena Mengesha, and her husband, Ato Paulos Asrat, for their unwavering support. A special appreciation also for Woizero Taeka Wolde for her committed support and care. Many thanks to Dr. Haregua Getu and Dr. Gelila Tilahun for being present to provide care and support in Yitayesh’s time of need. We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mekbib Zegaye for his advice on how to process the required documents to repatriate Ayele’s remains for burial in Ethiopia.

Dr. Ayele Yeshewalul’s funeral service will be held at St. George’s Cathedral, a historical Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday March 12, 2022 with the internment to follow at his family mausoleum on site.

 

A Message from Ayele’s wife, Yitayesh:

My dear husband, my only friend and life partner, Dr. Ayele Yeshewalul. You were well-known and respected for being humble, loving, and down-to-earth. I promise to fulfill all our plans that we made together during our over thirty-three wonderful years of marriage. I am so proud of everything you have accomplished, and I will honour you until the day comes that I leave this earth. Thank you for every life lesson you have taught me, and for supporting me in all that I have done. Your impact and memories will forever live on in my heart and mind. Until we meet in heaven, I will miss you.

 

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