MR. CHRISTIAN TAY BROCHURE

BURIAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE TAYMR. CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI AGED 73 (aka CHUBBY CHECKER /GAZO) ON 4TH MARCH, 2023 AT HIS RESIDENCE ASOFAN CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

bold • jovial • passionate ORDER OF SERVICE OFFICIATING MINISTERS Song Ministration Rev Patrick Edusei Sermon Rev Jese Donkor 2nd Offertory Apostle Emmanuel Obeng Prayer for the Family Pastor Frederick Sowah Announcement Pastor Stephen Enning Benediction PART 1 PART 11 GRAVE SIDE Opening Prayer Prayer Praise and Worship Exhortation 1st Offertory Committal Hymn; Wreath Laying Through the changing scenes of life HYMNS: When I survey the wondrous cross BIOGRAPHY Abide with me TRIBUTES: Will anchor hold in the storms of life Children VOTE OF THANKS by Family Member Wife Benediction. Grandchildren Bros & Sis Etc CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 3 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

bold • jovial • passionate 4 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

BIOGRAPHY \"Now the laborer’s task is over bold • jovial • passionate Now the battle day is past KCHORBLISATVIAI TNAY Now upon the farther shore Lands the voyage at last (aka Chubby Checker, 9Gazo) Father, in thy gracious keeping Leave we now thy servant sleeping.\" (MHB 976, 1 TIMOTHY 5:18) Birth and Parentage Education and Training The late Christian Koblavi Tay, Christian started basic education at affectionately called Gazo or the Ho-Dome L/A Primary School at Chubby Checker by all, was Ho, in the Volta Region before he was born 18th Nov. 1950 at Weta, to taken to his mother's hometown Weta Mr. Rudolph Tetteh Akumani to continue. At Weta he was very Tay, and Madam Dadolor Yortuworvor, active in sporting activities, especially both of blessed memory. Gazo's father football and kept the goal posts for both Rudolph Tay was a carpenter who the school and hometown teams. worked with the late W.E Kpodo Tay Construction Company at Ho, while his On account of his skillfulness in the as a mother Madam Dadolor was a petty goalkeeper, the town folks nicknamed trader. (no siblings???) him Chubby Checker (after the then very famous American rock-n-roll Early Childhood legend) because he was able to stop i.e. \"check\" almost every shot at goal. Christian spent his early childhood at Ho, in the household of his paternal uncle, So that is how his nickname \"Chubby the Late W.E Kpodo Tay, Esq. He was Checker\" came about. Also, because later relocated to Weta in the now Some he was very tall and used his height District of the Volta region by the mother to great advantage in keeping the after both Christian's father Rudolph and goal posts and to intimidate short his elder brother called Agbenyegah opponents he earned another died suddenly in rapid succession under nickname ie \"Kɔkɔtɔ\" (Korkortor) very unusual circumstances. meaning the \"tall one\" among fans. At Ho he was called Koblavi to distinguish Because of his agility in goalkeeping him from an older Kobla who also lived his name quickly spread all over the in the same household at the time. Thus southern parts of the Volta Region and we have Koblavi and Koblagah who were thus, with time, became so popular that cousins and lived under the same roof at he became \"so-to-say\" the people's man the time. and the ladies favorite in his teens. This immense popularity came along with CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 5 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

bold • jovial • passionate its own issues in that Christian became Working Life a father at a rather very young age with all its complications and ramifications for After completing ATTC he established the young man in the conservative rural a mechanical automotive workshop setting in which they lived. at Asylum Down in Accra with his paternal cousin Thomas Amuzu Tay. It is needless to say that, happily, this They named the Auto workshop development did not deter Christian nor \"Nucleus Motors\", where they worked bring him down. He was brought back on almost every type of car for over to Ho and with sheer determination 12 years including German, British he completed school at the Ho Military and Japanese cars for over 12 years. As Barracks in 1968. Auto-mechanics they were both very highly skilled in repairing cars so the Leveraging on the artisanal skills of workshop became very popular in and both his late father and Uncle, Christian around Accra. progressed to Suhum Secondary Technical School to acquire technical Upon the invitation of his sister, the late training. After completion he decided Madam Lucy Abla Beckley, Christian to become an auto mechanic so he traveled to the United Kingdom in 1991. entered the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) at Kokomlemle to pursue In London he took on several jobs a course in Mechanical Engineering for 3 but finally settled in the medical field years. working as Clinical Support Officer at the Eden Psychic Hospital for the rest of his stay in the United Kingdom. Upon retirement he finally returned home to Ghana after over 25 years overseas in 2016. 6 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

On account of his skillfulness bold • jovial • passionate in the as a goalkeeper, the town folks nicknamed him Chubby Checker (after the then very famous American rock-n-roll legend) because he was able to stop i.e. \"check\" almost every shot at goal. Family Life Christian was a family man and left behind six children, namely Sarah, Angela, Silvia, Emmanuel, Samir and a wife, Mrs Akua Boahenemaa Tay. Religious Life In his bid to find true salvation, Christian practiced several religions, starting with Christianity, then to Islam, Harikrisna and finally back to Christianity and conclude that there is no true salvation expect in Christ Jesus. Last Days Christian Tay got sick and was flown to London for treatment. He got better and returned to Ghana only to fall sick again. He was then taken to Achimota Hospital where he sadly passed away on 3rd December 2022. Mr Christian Koblavi Tay aka Gazo, Chubby Checker will be dearly missed by all he left behind: his wife, children, siblings and family, friends and dear ones. May his Soul Rest in perfect peace. CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 7 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

bold • jovial • passionate TFRIRIBSUTTEWBYIFE Madam Beatice Mensah Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him... I Thessalonians 4:13-17 Ihad the opportunity and rare understood the true meaning of our privilege of being the wife and living. His life taught me unconditional partner of the wonderful, loving, love and his death taught me kindness. I kind and God fearing man Mr, CK am grateful that I had the opportunity to Tay. share his dreams, hopes, love, friendship and much more. Life could not have been better than that because I was living every woman’s He was a man of the people. A man who dreams. The best of every thing was at stood by his family throughout A man my disposal whether I asked for it or not. who was a hero to all who knew him. A We had our problems like every family man who love unconditionally. A man but making up and resolving our issues who believe in sharing and caring. A was magical. man who put a smile on people’s faces. A man who was so full of life. A man who I was blessed with the best husband and was a bigger star in his own right than father to all my children and his name most of us. was Ahmed Nurideen Tay ( Baba ) which name was changed later to Mr Christian You will always be in my heart and the Tay.. love I have for you will never ever die. Your last words to me still echoe in my Tomorrow 5th March 2023 is going to be ears and I will always remember them 3 months since you departed and it is still until we meet again. \"peoples lover\". The very fresh and painful. children and I will always remember and pray for you. He was the love of my life, the one who did everything humanly possible to May Allah grant you Jannatul Fridous. protect me even in the face of all sorts Your Dear wife and friend Beatrice..as u of misconceptions, he was the one who always mentio Beaaaa.. 8 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

WTRIIBFUETE BY bold • jovial • passionate MRS. AKUA BOAHEMA TAY Listen, I tell you mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.’ in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed”. (1 Col 15:52-55) My late husband Mr. prayed for his return to Ghana fully Christian Tay, who is lying recovered. But God knows best. He came in state here before us, back not as expected and later passed away came into my life about 6 on 3rd December 2022. His death shattered years ago when we were my heart into pieces. I said to myself I have joined together in holy matrimony. lost a great a gem. I will forever remember him for his loving kindness and care. When he came into my life, I realized that I had gotten a very loving, caring, My dear husband, though you are gone, I protective and an adorable husband. will forever remember you and I hope we And taking him as a father, he always meet again when the good Lord calls us on gave me sound advice throughout our the second coming day. relationship. I didn’t lack anything, he always cared for all my needs. He would May your soul rest blissfully in perfect always approach me with loving words peace. I lo ve you. Fare thee well my darling. and never hesitated to reprimand me when I went wrong with loving words. When he came into my life, I realized that I had gotten a very loving, caring, Though he was far older than me, I protective and an adorable husband. regarded him as my beloved husband, And taking him as a father, he always always obeying his instructions, caring gave me sound advice throughout our for his needs, especially his favourite relationship. I didn’t lack anything, he dishes. He later taught me how to prepare always cared for all my needs. his native food (ewoapkle) which I have also learnt to eat and has become my favorite food too. At a point, when he fell sick, he was flown to London for treatment, and I fervently CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 9 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

bold • jovial • passionate CHTIRLIBDURTEEbNy “Lives of great men All remind us we can make our lives sublime And, departing leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time” -HENRY LONGFELLOW Mr. Tay, Baba, as we affectionately call him, was understanding in everything we did with him as his Children. He was very instrumental in our wellbeing and made us do what was expected of us as Children. He trained us to be hardworking as there would be no food for a lazy person. Baba, admonished and cautioned us anytime we went astray. He was critical in our upbringing to become responsible Men and Women of substance. We thought Baba, was cruel to us, however today, we are glad that the training we went through under him, has really transformed us. He was very active in praying for us all to succeed in life. He has played his part by making sure we grow in good health and in the fear of the God. He has supported our mothers and us through good and bad times. No matter what, we will always remember you Baba, because there will never be another Baba to replace you in our hearts. You were honest, loving, kind, clean in heart and body and in mind, so we have also learnt from you. Baba, we really miss you, we never knew you would leave us so suddenly, you were a good man, you did your best to provide for my siblings and I and also for some of your family members. You did your best in helping and showing love to people you didn’t even know. We are really saddened that death has taken you away from us so soon. 10 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

TATYRIBFUATEMBIYLY bold • jovial • passionate \"Humans are expected to be physically brought into this world once, live one life and depart through death once, and after that attend a universal award ceremony in the next world, where our eternal destiny would be determined according to the results of how we manage that one life\". (Hebs 9:28, Amplified Version) OUR BROTHER \"GAZO\" HAS FINISHED Before leaving Ghana, he established HIS ASSIGNED ROLE ON EARTH himself as an efficient and reliable auto mechanic. He was very well known In the light of the above-quoted as a fantastic goalkeeper since his biblical truth, we cannot argue school days. In addition to that he was our case against our brother’s a very good traditional drummer and transition. How can we exercise therefore participated very actively in our human rights, while God is our cultural activities. exercising his Godly rights? He is the one who brought our brother into this Whilst in Britain he continued with world, and he is the one who has called his cultural activities as a member of him back home, based on reasons we the \"Novi Ha\", the Eʋe Union of Great don’t have the right to appeal. Britain. One of his most important roles in the Union was to pour libation when We do not have any power or any VIPs from the Aŋlɔ State came visiting questions to ask, we only have many including the HM the Awoamefia, the lessons to learn from it. In his own way, Aʋadada, the Late Mama Mieɖoaƒe and our brother Christian Koblavi Tay many more. In this way, he held high whose mortal remains lie here before us our family name in the UK. In this way today was truly a very valued member he contributed a great deal to the good of the Tay family. name of the family both in Ghana and abroad. CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 11 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

On another score, he always played On this sad occasion we are reminded of host to all family members who went Paul’s words to Timothy: “I have fought to Britain, offering them a place to lodge the good fight, I have finished the race, I or stay, accompanying them to the have kept the faith”. places they wanted to go and generally ensuring that they had a comfortable Fare thee well brother Christian Koblavi! and pleasant stay. Gazo, Chubby Checker Hede nyuie! Yi Upon his return home to Ghana, he na dzudɔ le aƒetɔ la nutifafa me! continued with his activities in the local Novi Ha and in the family, participating actively and regularly in family meetings and events in Accra, Anyako, Ho and elsewhere. Not only that, he also contributed very generously to funerals and celebrations of the family. Indeed, there is no doubt that we have lost a very reliable, useful, affable and important member of our family and he will for ever be sorely missed by all of us. We who are alive now, only have Indeed, our brother lessons to learn from how he lived and Christian Koblavi Gazo was where he reached in his life's journey very active and prominent and then pick up the mantle and move in all family activities during the wish of the family to completion. his lifetime. And now that he has finished his assigned Indeed, our brother Christian Koblavi roles on earth, we have also Gazo was very active and prominent learned the hard lesson in all family activities during his that everything that has a lifetime. And now that he has finished beginning also has an end. his assigned roles on earth, we have also learned the hard lesson that everything that has a beginning also has an end. So therefore, let's let the life and sudden demise of our brother Gazo be a constant reminder to all of us to accomplish our mission effectively, not only in our families but also in the society as a whole. 12 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

GRANTRDIBCUHTEILBYDREN bold • jovial • passionate \"If we live, we live to the Lord If we die, we die for the Lord. So, weather we live or die we belong to the Lord\" (Romans 14:8) Today we are very sad as your grandchildren to bid you farewell. We do not understand why you left us this early but our ways are not God's way. We know he is keeping you safely in his bosom for us. Even though you have left us, your present is still with us and you are watching over us all the time. We wish RIP meant Return If Possible but unfortunately, it does not work like that and we cannot question God. Sometimes we have to cry just to get the dust out of our eyes so that we can see the Good thigs God has in store for us. You fought so hard even on your sick bed and that is a great motivation for us to keep on fighting no matter what. Oh, how we still remember your beautiful and infectious laughter as if it was only yesterday. Grandpa, you are an epitome of unconditional love. It hurts to have lost you at his undue time but we accept that God has decided to return you home. We shall never forget the precious moments we shared together. Your memory will forever remain fresh in our minds but we take consolation in the fact all is not lost and that mortal that we are, we shall surely meet again. So until we meet again, we say goodbye and may the Good Lord give you peaceful rest. Amen CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 13 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

MEMORIES bold • jovial • passionate 14 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

MEMORIES bold • jovial • passionate CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY 15 (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)

bold • jovial • passionate Appreciat ion Our heartfelt gratitude to all who have stood with us and supported in diverse ways to bid farewell to our beloved CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY DESIGN & PRINTED +233 244 829 339 16 CHRISTIAN KOBLAVI TAY (aka Chubby Checker, (Gazo)