Bartholomew Tumbu Fomanka - Online Memorial Website

Grand Tholo, sports lover, socialist and promoter of football in Mbetta. We love you but the cold hands of death have permanently separated us. May your soul rest in peace.                                        Fotabong Etem Jean Fotindong

Tholo or Gabon , that is what I often call you . You are one of the sources of my success in life after GOD. You help me to make one of my first success in life by helping me to get a visa to Europe and then to America and some other countries. My coming to America with my family was a very big attribute of yours; you were there and you had always been there, you had a good heart and that was a gift nobody could ever have taken from you. You have always been a true friend that me and my family respected . We are glad u left somebody behind which we shall remember you through her( Carole). You left behind a lady you truly loved who had been by your side at the most painful moment of your life, especially now .you were a legend and you remain a legend , by helping many families who can now boast of a good living and good health because of what you did, mostly to the youths, you have helped people in many ways that words can't explain . Adieu Gabon.  
                                                       AKONJANG BRYANT VICTOR (Papi Victor)

TRIBUTE TO A HERO II, THOLO

Tholo, as we fondly called you, you are my true friend
Gabonais, as we fondly called you, you are my confidante
Careca, as we fondly called you, you are my brother indeed
You always call me Ndem. Tell Ndem this or tell Ndem that...
You are, and will always be, my personal person

We understood each other like no one else
We laughed together in good times and bad times
We traveled extensively together all over
You always went for the best and finest
You made sure I enjoyed same whenever and wherever

Your generosity was limitless
You gave all to help all who came your way
When I was penniless you always came through in big way
"Ndem how far? Di man take de wan hold ya skin dey!"
In my tragedies, you stood by me shoulder to shoulder

We did many many things together
We went through thick and thin together
You were never down, always optimistic, even when in trouble
"Ndem, forget, na small!"
We had disagreements, but always made up in laughter

Tholo too talk
Tholo de expect too much from people
Tholo this...Tholo that...
Who is perfect anyway? We are all the same
Only Christ Jesus is perfect

You looked out for my family in my absence like they were yours
You visited me in my dream recently
And I asked "Di man, nobi dem say you don die"
In your normal parlance you responded "na wetti noh de man, die watti?"
We hugged each other, we hung out and we 'freed' as usual

The joy on your face tells me you are  truly reborn
You have attained your salvation and you are in heaven
ADIEU MA BRODA

We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast, but when we say this we imagine that hour as placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun or that death could arrive in the early hours of 12/ 22/ 2014, that morning which was so certain and which has every hour filled in advance. He was a free-spirit who lived in the present, on his own terms. He was very optimistic.

My mother and many called you my Boss. From my growing up as a little boy to an adult many in Kumba and around the world knew I was the last child of the Fomanka family; reason being you never introduce me as your nephew but your ‘Small Man” that’s why even today many still don’t know I was your nephew. Hundreds of us are able to live a better life and look after our families back home because you made it happen and for that we say THANK YOU AGAIN. It’s a very big shock you gave me and the entire family but we say in every situation we give thanks to God.

Go ye well uncle and extend greetings to all the faithful departed in the family.                                                   
                                                     Evaristus Nyambi (USA)

Dear Tholo, Gabonaise, Always calling me Bosco Pac Fatima. Who will call me that name again. Uncle, your sudden departure has created a vacuum in my heart. It is hard to believe that you are no more. Fare thee well, Gabonaise. We love you, but God loves you more.                              Nkie Gwendoline Nyambi

Nil nisi Divinum stabile est.  Requiescat in pacem Tholo.  Farewell brother till we meet again.

My sincere condolences to the Fomanka´s family especially to Fr. David Fomanka on the loss of Tholo Fomanka. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. Our faith in the Lord sustains us in such moments like these because we know that we shall all meet again with our deceased loved ones on the last day. May God grant him eternal rest. Amen.               

Grand Tholo, It came to me as a shock when i heard of your demise. Thank you for reminding me of the shortness of my life as highlighted by the psalmist.

You will be remembered as an icon with a big heart, a heart which welcomes all and sundry. U gave me financial support several times in the course of my seminary training.

when I was studying nursing in buea, your benevolence and magnanimity heightened to me and my friends. You were truly the Chaucer's Franklin with your doors always opened to whoever cared to come inside.

As you journey beyond, you take the form of an angel; Let God grant you remission of your sins and give u a deserving and befitting place in His eternal Bliss.
 
I hope I can be able to make it so as to be able to pay my last respect to you; You deserve it. No amount of my sacrifice will equal your goodness to me since from my seminary days.

Go ye well. RIP Grand