Dr. Wilberforce Turkson

On April 10, 1957, in the vibrant atmosphere of a newly independent Ghana, Mrs. Rose Asubonteng held an Outdooring Ceremony for her f irstborn son, born just days earlier on April 2nd. She named him Wilberforce, a name echoing the legacy of abolition and symbolizing educational advocacy, responsibility, and courage. To those who knew him best, he would become Dr. T, Wilber, Abeh-abeh, Joe, Papi, Pops, Brethren and "Giggles"-but to all, he was the living embodiment of his mother's vision. Wilberforce carried the gravity of his name with grace and humility. Wilber did not merely carry his name; he activated it. In his professional life, the educational advocacy symbolized at his birth became his personal mission. He was often the first to arrive and the last to leave, treating his responsibilities not as a burden, but as a tribute to the sacrifices made by Mrs. Rose to ensure his success. Educationally, Wilber was a polymath in the making. He started elementary school at a very tender age. He excelled in every area as a child; his great thirst for knowledge paved the way for his early admission to the Koforidua Secondary Technical School where he later transitioned to the Mfantsipim School, an all-boys boarding school in Cape Coast, Ghana. His transition to boarding school was not just a change of scenery; it was the sharpening of a mind that had already outpaced its peers. In that environment, he cultivated the "Educational Advocacy" his name demanded, balancing the rigors of 2advanced study with the leadership qualities that would define his adult life. Whether he was navigating the complexities of high school as a twelve-year-old or mastering specialized subjects in his later years, Wilber approached his books not as a chore, but as a tool for the progress his mother envisioned at his Outdooring. This was further evident as Wilber received a highly competitive scholarship from the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to study abroad. In the early 1980s, Wilber was among the first batch of students who left their home in Ghana to pursue higher education at the University of Camaguey in Cuba. Along with being a scholar, he was multilingual. Wilber was a native English, Twi, Fante, and Ga language speaker. However, when he arrived in Cuba, he did not speak Spanish. Using the grit and determination he developed as a child, Wilber quickly learned Spanish, the native language of the Cubans. He learned that language, spoke it fluently, and understood it clearly. Thus, he was able to achieve the highest grade, a 5 on the university's five-point grading system, during his six years of enrollment and earn a degree in Veterinary Science. After completing his rigorous education, Wilber transitioned into the professional world in South Florida. Initially, he became a professor at Miami Dade College, where he taught his students Chemistry and Anatomy. After passing his Veterinary Board Exams, he worked for decades as a Veterinarian at Banfield Hospital. There, he cared not only for the animals, but also for the people who loved them. 3Wilber was more than his resume. He was also a catalyst for change. His career was a direct reflection of the "Educational Advocacy" and "Responsibility" promised at his naming. In every role he occupied, Wilber was known for mentorship. He did not just climb the ladder; he reached back to pull others up, often sponsoring the education of younger relatives, family members, employees, friends, other Ghanaians, co-workers, or community members. True to the Wilberforce legacy, Wilber was never one to stay silent in the face of workplace inequity, earning a reputation as a man of ironclad integrity. He ensured that every customer was treated respectfully and equally. Because Wilber had started his journey so young, he possessed a unique ability to see solutions that others missed, combining traditional wisdom with modern progress. He was a force to reckon with at his workplace. He was dedicated and even during his illness refused to stay at home because people relied on him. His Banfield family relied on him. The customers relied on him. The pets relied on him. And his family relied on him-especially his daughter, who leaned on him for his calm nature, his willingness to listen to the juiciest gossip, and his ability to talk about anything, including his favorite movies, the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, or his beloved chocolate ice cream. Wilber was never too exhausted or too far away to show up for the people he loved. 4Wilber can be described as a "quiet thunder"-a way of leading that did not require shouting to be heard. People sought him out not just for his intellect, but also for his compassion. Whether he was offering advice to a young student, co-worker, his brethren, his family, or standing as a pillar for the Asubonteng family, Wilber remained the personification of progress. His wife, Ilis Huggins Turkson, his daughter, Dwon, son, Kellen, and only sister, Joana, are true witnesses to the character and humility of this quiet and gentle giant. Wilber, Joe, Giggles, Pops, Papi, Uncle Wilber, Dr. T-as he was called by all-his mom, wife, sister, uncles, aunts, children, nieces, nephews, in-laws, family members, brethren, acquaintances, and co-workers paved a way and left shoes that would be too difficult for others to fill. His legacy will live on for a very long time. As stated by one of his nephews, "Uncle Wilber would give the last shirt from his back to ensure someone else would be comfortable and happy." His daughter, Dwon, supported his words. Giggles, as she affectionately called Wilber, made a sorrowful but powerful statement: "I feel like an orphan. God blessed my dad with a kidney 20 years ago. He worked hard and rarely took time off from work. He planned to retire last December, and we believed he had many years ahead of good health. Giggles, you are gone too soon." 5Kellen, his son, who is a man of few words, expressed the depth of his hurt and sadness in a similar manner. He had only one wish: "If I could have one last chance to dance with my dad again, I would be so very happy." Pops, the hurt cuts deeply. It does not seem real that you got seriously sick in October and by January you are gone. His wife, Ilis, cemented the entire family's loss and hurt with these words: "Oh Papi, you took care of everything. I had nothing to worry about-the household maintenance and upkeep you carried, family matters you managed, daily functioning of the family you undertook. I never had to worry because you made it all so simple. Papi, I am unable to do this by myself." Wilber, God knew best, and it is hard to see you go. He called you home on January 22, 2026, from all your pain and suffering. Rest in peace Papi, Joe, Pops, Giggles, Uncle Wilber, and Brethren until we meet again.