Yetref Makonnen

On any given day, in Dama Café’s Community Table, as usual Yetref “El Doctor”(a name he earned from many of us after being healed from various ailments by his traditional herbal medicine) would be sitting at his designated seat at the corner.

Over 15 years he came to Dama nearly everyday. And on each of those days he would manage to always be surrounded by friends. The discussion of the day could be anything - politics, sport, history, food, health,pre-revolution life in Ethiopia, high school life and so on.

Most of the time the conversations would be amicable and full of laughter . But when it came to the matter of Ethiopian history and politics there was no compromise with Aba Yetref - whatever the consequences. He was so passionate. But he also made sure to break any impasse on any discussion by including his trademark humor and making all in the conversation laugh by the end.

One thing that always amazed me was when he conversed with the younger generation. They were all so at ease and comfortable with him. Through his disarming and magical personality they must have found he was the easiest person to approach and get along with.

At the same time the elders would also come to him with whatever was on their mind to hear his opinion and thoughts.

He had an amazing ability to understand both the younger and the elder community and engage with them meaningfully.

On Soccer many of us have become the fans of the French national team because of him.
He was able to convince us they were an African team and we must support them.

We became Le Bleu and tried to sing La Marseille along with him.

On Saturday nights in the fall and winter a group us would sit at our Situation Room corner in Dama to strategize on our picks on Sunday American football. We have all lost some potential winning because of his rule that we can’t under any circumstance pick against his beloved San Francisco 49ers.

He would just shut the idea down by telling us don’t you dare try it against the team of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.

One year ago today we lost him but his memory is still fresh and we reminisce about him every day and how he made our lives so much richer.

He is still alive with us today.

“How time flies” is perhaps a cliché but there is no other way to express how it is already One Year since you left us :-( Your untimely departure left a void in each of us that is impossible to fill. On November 6, 2024, we will all gather to honor the memory of my brother who has been a part of my life since kindergarten. I very frequently reflect on the joy and laugher we shared, on the heated discussions we had and the countless adventures and bond that survived the test of time. Though you are no longer here, your presence lives on in my heart.
I miss you deeply and hold you close in my thoughts.

I still think that you went on a long trip and that you will come back soon and that I will find you sitting at your usual corner when I come to your house.

My favorite quote that helps me deal with difficult situations like you no longer being with us:
“Faith is trusting God, even if you don’t understand His plan”

እግዜር ደግ ነፍስህን በመንግስተ ሰማያት ያኑርልን

Que la terre te soit légère Yetref et que Dieu t’acceuille dans Son Royaume.

Dad, Saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I’m not sure when I will come to terms that you’re no longer here in physical form but— I know your spirit will fill all of our broken hearts and give us the comfort we need. I gained a guardian angel who will forever be watching from above 🤍
I will miss your kisses on my forehead and your artistry in the kitchen. I will miss the sound of your laughter and seeing you on the dance floor at any event, you were always the life of the party. You brought so many people together, with your jokes, your hospitality and your pure joy for life. I will hold dear all the memories we’ve made the last 33 years. There won’t be a single day that goes by that you’re not on my mind.

I love you, Dad
Rest in heavenly peace 🕊️

“Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one’s gone. Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, far as long as there is memory, they’ll live on in the heart.”

There are not enough words in the world to try and express who and what Papa Yetref was to all of us. One of my best friend’s father who took us all in as his own. Reprimanded us as his own. Held secrets like we were his own. And Accepted us like we were his own. An amazing and lighthearted spirit. Someone who knew how to make others laugh and feel joyful, no matter what was going on. I remember so many memories at my friend Meron’s house, always received with LOVE and most importantly, good vibes. Yetref was the dad we all wish we had. A Sagittarius/ a fire sign who loved life and everyone/ everything around him. At the very young age of 15 I met Yetref and so many events after that cannot even be described adequately. I am just grateful to have known someone of this caliber. My friend Meron is the spitting image literally and figuratively of Yetref. All her pranks, jokes and sense of humor I believe she stole from her father (LOL). This is the type of energy that cannot be replicated but Meron did it well! When I first met Meron’s family, It really cleared my lens on who she was as a person and I loved her more for it. And I don’t believe anyone else in this world is as lucky as her! Having such an accepting and big loving beautiful family. It Makes me so happy! I can’t believe it has already been a year since Yetref is no longer with us physically… but I know that his energy and legacy will live forever. Peace and love to his family and all loved ones who miss him. He will never be forgotten and that’s on God!

My beloved Big Brother I mised you so much 😢 but you are still alive in my memories . there is no one like You .you are the beautiful thing that happened to me .love you 🤗 ❤💛💚 Yetref'ye RIP 🙏🙏🙏 today we are celebrating you.
🍻 ma men .

Dear Yetref
“Our hearts are broken. “ My mind still doesn’t believe you are not with us anymore. I miss our conversation and your advice.
“Yetref You always welcomed everyone with open arms, cooking and feeding with passion.”
“Your laughter and jokes are missed in the family.”
I Love you.

A pillar of the family, respected and loved by all, you brought sunshine to every gathering. Your giving and loving nature touched the young and old alike, leaving a legacy of warmth, wisdom, and joy. Rest in peace dear Yetref; you will be forever missed.
Benyam and Dehab

Yetrefeye (Papa) as I call you. I have no words to express how much I miss you. We had lots of plan but God wants you for himself. You are in my heart ❤️. I miss you every day. May you rest in peace 🙏

You were one of kind. I miss your laugh, I miss our banters, I miss your hugs. I am so grateful to have called you my uncle and to have shared all the memories over the years. I love you so much and miss you everyday.
Rest easy our guardian angel 🪽

Yetref I miss you so much and I miss your jokes and laugh and your famous Lasagna

Heart Now Still, A Light Still Bright
A brother, a friend, a guiding star,
Gone too soon, though near, no matter where you are.
Your laughter echoes in the memories we hold,
A warmth that lingers, a story yet untold.
In gentle breezes, your spirit takes flight,
In the sun's soft glow, your smile shines so bright.
Though tears may fall, they're mixed with love's embrace,
For in our hearts, you'll always find your place.
We'll carry your kindness, your spirit so true,
As we navigate life, remembering you.
Until we meet again, on that distant shore,
Your memory lives on, forevermore.

May God be with you!

November 6, my birthday. A day that now holds even more meaning for me. Every year, this day will not only be one of celebration, but also of remembrance for a man who meant so much to us all. My uncle Yetref was truly one of a kind- someone who was always there to listen, laugh and lend a hand. His presence filled the room. He could light up any gatherings with his stories in his teasing and his big smile. I will always carry with me those moments when he would ask me out to lunch and ask me about my imaginary boyfriend, teasing me in a way that only he could. I miss him deeply, but I know his spirit lives on in the kindness he showed and in the love he shared with all of us.

I love you.

Please read the attached card "Broken Chain" it explains my feeling about Yetref. It was taken from a website.

Yetro, was more than a friend to me, he was like a brother since we grew up together at the boarding school of the Lycee Guebre-Mariam in Addis Abeba. We shared great memories of our teenage years at the boarding school. We continued to share memorable moments in our adulthood when he and Denny moved to Virginia.

Yetro's humor was infectious, making fun of everyone including of himself. The memories of his silly jokes still bring a smile to my face. Besides his humor, he possessed an unwavering honesty. He wasn't afraid to tell any of us how he truly felt, but at the same time he showed empathy and compassion. His kindness was felt by all those who knew him and the reputation of being “የዋህ” followed him.

When at his house, Yetro would welcome any of us by preparing delicious meals. He had a passion for cooking, and I often think of him when preparing the leg of lamb using the recipe he shared with me.

Denny and Meroniye will undoubtedly carry on his legacy of kindness and joy.

Though his physical presence is gone, the warmth of his friendship and the echoes of his laughter will continue to resonate in my heart. Rest in peace my brother.

Yetref,
Thank you for blessing us with your love and friendship.

Atsedie’s family

Yetref was my brothers' friend from Lycee', but more importantly, he was my mother Atsedie's adopted son. So he was the triplet to her twins, Sammy and Danny. What we loved about you Yetref was your joy for life and love for family and friends. No matter what the circumstance, you found a way to be positive and found humor in the situation (and share your deep laughter with eye brows raised). What we admired about you is how you nurtured many relationships, no matter age or background. You may be gone, but you are not forgotten. We know for sure that you are hanging out in heaven, keeping Atsedie company and probably talking about politics and family drama. We thank and love you for the love and friendship you shared with us for many decades.

Yetrif, we miss you and know you are still with us all in spirit. Love you always. Martha

It's hard to believe that a year has already passed since we lost our dear friend Yetref, yet the love and joy he brought into our lives still feel as present as ever. We often find ourselves reflecting on the countless memories he left us with. Both Elly and I remember so fondly how he welcomed us—along with all of you—into the IFC family with such a warm heart.

We miss him deeply: his kindness, his laughter, his quick jokes, and, of course, his love for dancing. We miss his legendary barbecues—the zilzil tibs, the gored gored—and how he’d always make sure Ergebe prepared the lentils, the miser wat, with a special wink as he packed it up for us to take home. Yetref had a rare ability to lift everyone’s spirits, and his love for Ethiopia’s unity was something he shared with us all, unwaveringly and passionately.

Though we cannot bring Yetref back, we can continue to honor his memory by living with the kindness and generosity that he showed us every day. His legacy lives on in each of us, and in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know him.

Deni and Mya, may God’s strength surround you. We will always keep you and your family close in our hearts and prayers. We love you very much.

With all our love,
Elly & Teddy

Yetref,

I am incredibly grateful to have met you through my friendship with Mya. You were such an integral part of an important chapter of my life. I have so many memories with you, and I am sitting here deciding which ones I should share. Of course, the best ones are probably the ones I should keep between you, me, and Mya, but in true Yetref fashion, I will speak my mind so others can read about how amazing you are.

As a teenager, getting permission for sleepovers at your house was like getting a round-trip ticket from North Korea to the Caribbean. If you add up all of those vacations, I was an extremely rich girl. Not rich in money, but rich with so many memories—the best memories, the ones you’ll never forget. And so, with that said, most of my memories of you, where I smile big and laugh hard, all have a revolving theme: trouble. Getting in trouble. Getting in trouble and getting caught by you. What a gift from God that was as a teenager living with Kim Jong Un. It’s funny, actually, because if we rearrange the letters in his name, we could just almost spell K-O-N-G-I—damnit, we are missing the T. Almost. Just kidding, mom, you were not that bad, and I love you dearly.

Anyways, my all-time favorite memory with you is when you came to pick up Mya and me from visiting Leila at GW. Leila had just begun her freshman year of college, and Mya and I were absolutely ecstatic to take a little look into what college life was like since we were still in high school. The problem was, we took more than a look; we completely immersed ourselves and had way too much fun. It was our first time getting drunk. Thankfully, that night, Kim Jong Un did not pick us up. It was you. You came to get us, and we foolishly got into your car with zero prep work. We didn’t know any better; we didn’t know that we probably reeked of alcohol. Within minutes of us getting in the car, you yelled out, “Are you guys drunk?!” All I remember is us laughing, and laughing, and laughing uncontrollably. We eventually confirmed with you that, yes indeed, we were, but it was the next question that made this night so special: “Are you guys hungry? Do you want to go to Barnside?” What could have ended terribly turned into one of the most memorable times, and you never told on us. We ate, and we laughed, and you taught us how to successfully end a night out—with pancakes and waffles. There were many times after that when Mya and I went out with friends, and at the end of it all, we found ourselves at an I-Hop or Barnside Diner, but none of those times will ever be as special as our first time with you.

So I thank you for all the good times and for being like a second father to me. I am eternally grateful for your existence. Love you so much.