A short Biography of Berhe Dorry Biru

Berhe Dorry Biru was born in Sobeya, Agame, Tigray to his parents Fitawrari Dorry and W/o Abraha on September 12th, 1947. After grade 5 in Adigrat, he had to go to Mekelle to complete his high school. He taught Junior high school in different parts of Ethiopia. He immigrated to the United States on August 26, 1986 with some family members after living in Sudan for some time. Once in the US, he worked in different fields and received his associate degree in computer programming.

He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. He was a kind hearted man, who truly cared about his community. As many of his friends would affirm, everybody from the Agame region is in some ways related to him. He would always call everybody "wedi haway, gual haway, wedi haftey, gual haftey". Berhe went to visit his homeland and family in early May 2010 after several years in the US. After visiting his family and friends in Agame, Tigray, he returned for a brief stay in Addis. He then planned to return back to Adigrat. However, just a few days before his trip, he suddenly died in Addis on June 16, 2010. His body was returned to Adigrat and was buried in Sobeya.

Berhe was among the founders of Agazi School Alumni Association in North America and one of the few who attended most of the last 14 annual events. This year, he was already in Ethiopia and his planned return to Adigrat was for the Agazi's event in July. The Agazi Association meant a lot to Berhe. He was always very dedicated towards it, and truly believed in what the ASAA-NA was doing for his home country. One of his greatest wishes was to better his people, and his community. Berhe is survived by his wife w/o Wahid, his five children Yoseph, Negusu, Gedamnesh, Halefom, and Khaliya, and his five grandchildren Hailom, Yohanes, Robel, Samuel, and Nahom, all in the U.S. He is also survived by his siblings Grazmach Kahsay, Tadesse, Asmalash, Zewdu, Woldeyohannes, Zenebech, and Mitslal Dorry in Ethiopia.

Our condolence to Mr. Berhe Dorry's family

The Agazi School Alumni Association in North America Board and its members are saddened by the death of our member, Mr. Berhe Dorry. He was a loving and caring father, husband, brother, and a friend to many who cared about his community.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and siblings. May God bless his soul and rest in peace and give his family the strength to overcome their loss.

ASAA N.A. Board

==============================================================

The following are some messages sent from fellow Agazi Alumni. We all will miss him.

Berhe was one of the few Agazi Alumni members who have attended almost all of our annual events. He was very active from the start in 1996 in contacting all those he knew and tried to persuade them to join ASAA-NA or support the school in any way they can. He was a behind the scene driver from the beginning. Although his children Yoseph, Negusu, Gedamnesh, Halefom, and Khaliya together with their mother w/o Wahid missed the opportunity to say goodbye for the last time and be present at his funeral, they are comforted by the fact that he had accomplished all of what he wanted to do when he went back home a few months ago to visit his family and friends. It looks like God was behind his plan to visit home. For ASAA-NA, we will miss him in one of our biggest events, celebrating a reunion at home and a new chapter for ASAA. I know he would have loved and enjoyed the homecoming. But then, he did part of it during the last month he was in Tigray and Addis. May God bless his soul and give his family the strength to overcome their loss.
Michael

It is indeed a sad day for Aga'azians and all Agames. He was the pinnacle of love for his people, his fellow brothers and sisters. He will be missed by all of us, but his love and dedication will live along. My condolences to all his family members and all of us.
Desta

Please give our deepest condolences to Berhe's family. His graceful presence at Agazi will be greatly missed.
Daniel

May his soul rest in eternal peace forever! My Condolences to all of his family and friends. May God give them the necessary strength when they needed it the most!
Hagos

I am so saddened to hear about Berhe this morning. I know him for a long time starting from his birth place Sobeya in Agame, in the Sudan and then in USA almost every year in Agazi reunion. He was the kind of person to do the best he can for Agazi and for all people he knows but never wants anything in return. He was always practical. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and all of us. The loss is to all of us and we cannot replace him. In a way, I am happy that he passed away at his loved home.
Kahsay

Yes in deed the passing of Berhe is very sad and painful news; especially for the ASAA-NA. I never remember any ASAA-NA annual event without Berhe Dorry. He was a caring father, brother and friend. He cared about his community and Agazi. In his mind everybody is related to him. He calls everybody "wedi haway, wedi haftey ...” Every body from the Agame region is in some way related to him". He will be remembered as one of the originator of ASAA-NA. Berhe; we will miss you; Agazi will miss your gentle presence. May God rest your soul in peace. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his families and all who morn his loss.
Ogbazghi

It is very sad to hear the passing away of our dear and incumbent brother Berhe Dorry. I have not seen him for the last 35 years, but I have a vivid memory of a handsome, very long and strong senior from my days at Agazi. I left Agazi in 1964 since there was no high School at the time. He was one of those traditional Woldu-Sebagadis images who transferred pride and joy to the environment of Agame. May God bless him and his family.
Berhe, Sweden

Yes, indeed it is very sad news to hear the passing of Berhe Dorry, a person who loved his community so much so that with all the health problems he had; he was able to attend almost all Alumni events. It is an irony that he had to go back home, visit his home town and the people he loved and then depart to another life. Aside from being great Alumni member, when he was able and strong, Berhe has helped many people and change their lives. Others who lived close to him may be able to tell his story better. Nevertheless I can say Berhe was kind by nature and he loved his community. I wish he could attend Agazi Alumni's Festival in Adigrat, but God has his own plans. May his soul rest in Heaven and may God give his family the strength to cope their loss.
Hagos

We are terribly sorry to hear that we lost our brother, we know that we cannot take away the pain from his family and friends but our thoughts and prayers are with them and may God rest his soul.
James & Abeba