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Joseph T. Apedo Obituary

Brought to you by Frank J Barone Funeral Home

Joseph T. Apedo

Brooklyn, NY

May 5, 1951 - July 7, 2021

Joseph T. Apedo Obituary

Joseph Tennyson Apedo also known as Abalo was born May 5th 1951 in Accra Ghana. He
graduated from the school of hard knocks. A musician and the last child of William Apedo and
Mary Afasime Adjogle. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

Abalo was skillful and talented. He was born with the gift of gab and connected with people
through his ability to speak. Joseph had a trained ear, he was a self-taught guitarist, who praised
musicians such Carlos Santana and the late jimmy Hendrix. You could catch him enjoying a
range of music from The Beatles to The Commodores to Peter tosh. He enjoyed music packed
with feelings, he listened to music that triggered emotions he never spoke of. Music was a part of
him as his left rib.

Abalo challenged the social norms at every turn, testing the waters and pushing the limits. His
wit and resilience brought him from Ghana through Europe to Brooklyn NY, where he leaves
behind his legacy. His journey from Ghana to the United States is a testament to his character. A
defining moment in his life he often shared with his wife and children.

In 1985 he arrived in NYC. He reunited with Ghanaians from his childhood and began
navigating the city to build his life. The excitement, hustle and mysteries of the city was all too
familiar. Once arriving he committed to living in Brooklyn. He worked as a courier in Manhattan
and soon was introduced to his wife. In addition to 30+ years of marriage, this union birthed 4
children they dedicated their lives to raising. He described this as his greatest accomplishment.

After more than 15 years as a courier, he retired and continued his lifelong profession as a
philosopher. His personality and can-do attitude kept him sharp, consistently reading, debating,
and discovering new perspectives on life. He visited the park frequently and enjoyed the
company of his family. When the grind slowed down, it allowed time for reflection. Slowly he
began to loosen the reigns, speaking with you and not at you.

Abalo was a food connoisseur. With a very sophisticated and cultured palette, he reiterated the
importance of food and how he will spare nothing to eat “good food” also known as Ghanaian
food. My mother took care of the cooking for us kids. Abalo was a cook as well, but it was an
unspoken rule, what he cooked was to wait for him. When he did cook for the family, you knew.
It was a like a special occasion, he would pick one of our favorite Ghanaian dishes and that was
dinner for the night.

As a retiree, he expressed his affection through food, insisting you cook with him. A bonding
moment I’ll cherish forever. From Light soup to FuFu to Okra and Jollof, you name it. You
could always make a special request and he delivered every time. I am whole heartedly going to
miss that, along with a stiff drink before eating because it “opens up the appetite.”

Abalo never stopped learning, never stopped being of servitude and rose to the challenge each
stage presented in his life. As his health began declining, he was comforted by his family. He had
the uncomfortable conversations, but never an uncomfortable attitude. If you didn’t know, you
couldn’t tell, most people didn’t. He did not walk around with a why me attitude furious at the
world. Maybe it was his pride, maybe he didn’t want people treating him different, maybe he 
was content and found peace in what was. I’m not sure but I do know he was easy like Sunday morning. He continued as the talkative, brash, no non-sense, unapologetic and can-do Abalo and I watched admirably at his strength, courage and fight to end.

Joseph Tennyson Apedo was 70 years old, born May 5 th 1951. On July 7 th 2021. Abalo was
called home. While there is pain for his absence, there is unexplainable gratitude for his
existence.

He leaves behind to mourn, his loving and committed wife, his loving and caring daughters, his
loving and honorable sons, and his loving and innocent granddaughter.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Joseph T. Apedo hosted by Frank J Barone Funeral Home.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Joseph T. Apedo.