The cold hands of death once again stuck our SOBA America family on December 18th, 2020 when SOBAN Dr. Godfrey Fondinka was called home by the Lord. Dr. Fondinka, SOBAN number 2155 of the 1971 class died in Fayetteville, NC of complications from COVID-19. He leaves behind his dear wife Dr. Florence, four kids – Tuma(22), Ghinna (20), Babila (15), and Kahmali (12), many family, friends, and patients to mourn him.
As a family practice physician running an urgent care practice, Dr. Fondinka was at the frontlines treating COVID-19 patients. He fought a brave fight, but in the end lost his battle against COVID-19.
Dr. Fondinka was a registered member of SOBA America and SOBA Carolinas chapter. Our prayers go to his family during this difficult time. We also condole with the class of 1971 and SOBA Carolinas who lost one of their own. As a registered member of SOBA America, our fallen brother was honored with our official SOBA America Final Farewell protocol at his funeral.
Funeral services were held on January 29th and 30th, 2021 in Fayetteville, NC. It was a very emotional weekend. SOBANS joined family and friends in a socially distant farewell for our fallen brother. On Friday after the viewing, President Fote presented a SOBA America Memorial Shield in honor of Dr. Fondinka to his widow, Dr. Florence Fondinka. He also presented a check for $10,000 from SOBA America to her. SOBAN priest Father Nouck of SOBA Carolinas gave a heartwarming sermon during the funeral mass on Saturday. SOBANS gave our fallen brother a hero’s Farewell with a guard of honor as his casket, draped with a SOBA America memorial, was slowly wheeled out of the church to the hearse. In a solemn ceremony, the flag was folded and the President of SOBA America handed the flag to our fallen SOBAN’s widow. Another guard of honor was done as the hearse and convoy carrying the family slowly left the church premises. SOBANS, dressed in their official SOBA America outfit, lined both sides of the road, hands to their chest and sang our fight song – With St. Joseph ever near to guide us – as the convoy slowly left.
