Stephanos Teklemariam Tesfamariam

October 25, 1940 - March 5, 2018

Stephanos Teklemariam Tesfamariam, 77, of Charlotte, under the care and blessing of hospice, died Monday, March 5, 2018, at his home surrounded by friends and family. Stephanos was born on October 25, 1940, in Ade Ngofom, Eritrea, the son of Teklemariam and Woletgabriel Hadera Tesfamariam. He grew up there until around age 7 at which time his family moved to Ethiopia. After school he went into the Ethiopian Air Force and then Ethiopian Airlines as an aircraft mechanic. He worked there and in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Arabian Airlines for 12 years. Finding the love of his life, he married Teamu Adhanom on December 4, 1977, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 1991, he and his family moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where he started his own public transportation business. In April of 2000, he and his family moved to California where he went back to work as an aircraft mechanic for private maintenance companies. Finally, he spent 12 years then working for Thrifty Car Rental. In June of 2006, he and his family moved to Charlotte where they have been ever since. When not working, Stephanos enjoyed reading and most of all, spending time with his family. He was a blessing to all knew him and he will be sadly missed. Stephanos is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Teamu; their children: Mikias Stephanos Teklemariam of Alexandria, VA; Daniel Stephanos Teklemariam (wife Alexis) of Charlotte, NC and their child Sarah (who was also grandpa’s therapy); and Abraham Stephanos Teklemariam of Charlotte; and his brother, Fr. Haile Teklemariam Tesfamariam of Asmara, Eritrea. He is further survived by his church family of St. Gabriel Catholic Church as well as numerous other family and friends. Stephanos was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Sebhatu Teklemariam and two sisters: Nigisti and Zegheweini Teklemariam. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday, March 10, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, and will conclude at noon. Following the Mass, Stephanos will be flown back to his original home in Ade Ngofom, Eritrea.