Obituaries

YONATAN MESFIN RETTA

Our beloved brother Yonatan Mesfin Retta suddenly passed away at the age of 55 on September 3, 2021 at his residence in Edmonton, Alberta. Yonatan is survived by his sons Jarome and Jacob(mother: Melanie) and daughters Mercedes and Sabina(mother: Cheryl), brothers Sefany of Norway and Eskemaezenu(wife: Asmeret Kifle) of Winnipeg, sisters Genet of Sweden and Eleny and Albab of Toronto. He is survived by his niece Selena, nephews Simon and Selom(mother: Senait Eyob) of Norway, nieces Maliya and Hannah of Winnipeg and cousin Tigist Abraha(mother: Tsega) of North Carolina.

Yonatan is predeceased by our dad Mesfin Retta and mom Tsigehanna Gebresilassie.

Born on February 22, 1966 in Asmara, Eritrea, he grew up in Ethiopia where he graduated high school from Tegbared(Technical Vocational College) as a machinist in 1983. After graduation he was hired at the age of 17 by government owned textile factory in Aqaqi, Ethiopia where he remained employed until he departed for Nairobi, Kenya in 1990. He moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991 and started working at Palliser Furniture until he decided to further his education. He enrolled at Red River College and graduated in CNC programming. He later started working at State Industry as lathe machinist/CNC programmer/operator until his move to Edmonton in April 2006. Yonatan was academically gifted and had numerous talents. As a teen and young adult he built himself krar(Ethiopian/Eritrean stringed musical instrument) and taught himself how to play it, along with guitar and piano. He also enjoyed drawing and was excellent at it.

Yonatan developed lifelong friendships wherever he went and was loved by many. Yonatan did not judge people and he did not like being judged. He marched to the beat of his own drum.

Yonatan is leaving behind numerous family and friends from Winnipeg and Edmonton, among other near and far places, who deeply loved and cared for him. He will be deeply missed by everyone with whom he crossed paths.

Viewing will be held on Friday September 17, 2021 from 1:00-2:15pm at Wojciks Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main St, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2W 3R1

Funeral will be at Brookside Cemetery at 2:45pm