Obituary for Ibiju Bandele Asante
Ibiju Bandele Asante passed away peacefully on Monday, March 20, 2023. He was born on August 25, 1955, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. His parents were Rupert R. Tronchin and Nora I. Reddock. He was the second of four sons and from a young age took on many responsibilities for his family. Just before his twentieth birthday, his mother sent for him to join her in New York City. His mother was a big influence on him, teaching him to cook, bake, and tailor-- he was her “right-hand man.” He worked in the food business in New York and was a chef at one of the first successful vegan restaurants in Brooklyn, NY. Food brings people together, and through his job, he met many people.
In New York, he met his first wife, the late Beverly Cuencas, and had two sons--Kwame Mwanza and Kinshasa Cuencas. In search of a better life, and with the support of loving friends, Ibiju would move his sons and mother to Maryland. While in the DMV, Ibiju graduated from culinary school at the top of his class. In the years that followed his Ital is Vital brand produced tasty vegan food and nutritious beverages for every community that he was a part of. During this time he met his dear friend and spiritual advisor Nana Kweku, who he accompanied to Ghana, West Africa--thus fulfilling a long-held desire to visit the continent and prepare for his life partner--his “Warrior Queen,” Adwoa Bandele-Asante.
By the summer of 1998, they married in a traditional African way, surrounded by loved ones and family, in an outdoor natural setting by the water. This twenty-four-year-plus union produced four delightful daughters--Medasi Ajua, Makeeda Nzingah, Akua Maat and Isis Omega. After a brief stay in Virginia, the family moved to Connecticut to be with Adwoa’s mother for the remainder of her life. In addition to helping care for his mother-in-law, Ibiju took care of the house by doing work such as painting, laying foundation, cooking, cleaning, and gardening.
Ibiju was proud of his dual cultured children and credits them with teaching him how to be a good parent. He was a volunteer with places like the former Kente Cultural Center, F.R.E.S.H., and the New London Community Meal Center. He was a traditional percussionist and had practiced soccer, advanced yoga, and steel pan playing since his childhood. Ibiju had a positive view on life. He could always be found thanking the universe and living cleanly. He made artwork out of bamboo, coconut and wood. He liked to paint and write. Ibiju was a rootsman who believed in the teachings of His Majesty Haile Selassie I, and was very much in tune with his honorable ancestors.
He is survived by his wife and children, as well as, brothers Trevor of North Carolina and Anthony of Trinidad, and sister Debra of New York, and many other family members and friends. His Celebration of Life will be held during his birthday weekend, this coming August.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following Cash App: $BandeleAsanteHome
In New York, he met his first wife, the late Beverly Cuencas, and had two sons--Kwame Mwanza and Kinshasa Cuencas. In search of a better life, and with the support of loving friends, Ibiju would move his sons and mother to Maryland. While in the DMV, Ibiju graduated from culinary school at the top of his class. In the years that followed his Ital is Vital brand produced tasty vegan food and nutritious beverages for every community that he was a part of. During this time he met his dear friend and spiritual advisor Nana Kweku, who he accompanied to Ghana, West Africa--thus fulfilling a long-held desire to visit the continent and prepare for his life partner--his “Warrior Queen,” Adwoa Bandele-Asante.
By the summer of 1998, they married in a traditional African way, surrounded by loved ones and family, in an outdoor natural setting by the water. This twenty-four-year-plus union produced four delightful daughters--Medasi Ajua, Makeeda Nzingah, Akua Maat and Isis Omega. After a brief stay in Virginia, the family moved to Connecticut to be with Adwoa’s mother for the remainder of her life. In addition to helping care for his mother-in-law, Ibiju took care of the house by doing work such as painting, laying foundation, cooking, cleaning, and gardening.
Ibiju was proud of his dual cultured children and credits them with teaching him how to be a good parent. He was a volunteer with places like the former Kente Cultural Center, F.R.E.S.H., and the New London Community Meal Center. He was a traditional percussionist and had practiced soccer, advanced yoga, and steel pan playing since his childhood. Ibiju had a positive view on life. He could always be found thanking the universe and living cleanly. He made artwork out of bamboo, coconut and wood. He liked to paint and write. Ibiju was a rootsman who believed in the teachings of His Majesty Haile Selassie I, and was very much in tune with his honorable ancestors.
He is survived by his wife and children, as well as, brothers Trevor of North Carolina and Anthony of Trinidad, and sister Debra of New York, and many other family members and friends. His Celebration of Life will be held during his birthday weekend, this coming August.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following Cash App: $BandeleAsanteHome