Girmai Kidane Mengistu

Today, we remember the legacy of our beloved father, husband, brother, mentor and friend Girmai Kidane Mengistu and his commitment to family, country and our greater community. 

He was born on January 10th, 1952 to his loving parents, Kidane Mengistu and Haregu Sebhatu, in Central Zone - Subzone Seregeqa Village of Defere in Eritrea. Girmai was the youngest of seven children: Tekle, Letay, Welday, Anday, Zere and Luel and had a standout personality amongst his siblings.  He was strong willed and a leader as a child, not afraid to direct tasks in the family.  He was school minded and helpful to his parents.  As the youngest child, he was showered with attention and he enjoyed being close with his father. He was confident, disciplined and a rule follower at home and school.  

Girmai Kidane Mengistu was an intellectually curious child who yearned for knowledge in all facets of life. Academically, he attended Azien Elementary School, Ginda Middle School, and Red Sea High School (formerly known as Quahze High School) up to the 10th grade. Upon arriving in the United States, he continued his educational pursuit by attending Montgomery Community College in Takoma Park, Maryland where he earned a technical training certificate. 

Prior to joining the Eritrean revolution, Girmai Kidane Mengistu worked as a Registrar at the Police Department in Eritrea. In 1975, compelled by his sense of duty to his country, he joined the Independence Movement to Liberate Eritrea. With his extensive police experience and military training, he served in the Intelligence Directorate as well as front-line combat until 1981. During this period, he met and married his beloved wife, Genet Yebio Ezra in 1977 in Defere, Eritrea. Prior to migrating to Sudan, they had two children, Amleset and Frehiwet. 

He lived in Sudan from 1981 to 1984 before immigrating to the United States. Shortly after arriving, their third child, Feseha, was born. While working and supporting his family he continued to serve his country’s fight for independence.  From 1991 until his passing, he was a member of the Washington, DC Area Chapter of HGDEF (PFDJ: People’s Front for Democracy and Justice). He was a committed member serving in a variety of roles including Chairman. Although he lived in America, his heart never left Eritrea.

While he led an exemplary life of public service, he was most dedicated to the success of his wife and children. He was an avid reader who invested a tremendous amount of time and energy into his children’s academic and career development. He challenged them to be critical and rogue thinkers who follow their own path in life. He supported his wife’s business ambitions and led a comfortable middle class life. Beyond his efforts with his family, he was an active member of his church and was growing in his faith. 

On January 20th, 2022, due to an unexpected and short battle with cancer, Girmai Kidane Mengistu passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, three children, five grandchildren Loukas, Yoseph, Sebenae, Zewdi and Bizen, his brother Zere, nieces, nephews and extended family. His children and grandchildren will proudly continue his legacy of commitment to family, country, and community. May he rest in peace and may we all, his friends, family and comrades, find comfort in God during this time.