Chief (Dr.) Joseph Akpojevwe Owumi, Sr., 63, passed away peacefully at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston l on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. His final days were spent with his wife, children, friends and family by his side.

Chief Joseph A. Owumi. Sr. was born into the Urboho Tribe in Eruemukowharien, Ughelli, Delta State of Nigeria. He is the son of Chief Johnson Owumi Oteri of Eruemukowharien, who was a prominent Uhrobo Chief of the Ughelli Kingdom, and Mrs. Esabuno Owumi, a community leader and activist. Both of Dr. Owumi’s parents were devoted Christians and instilled in him Christian values, such as hard work, integrity, honesty, selflessness and kindness.

Dr. Owumi left Nigeria in 1976 to further his education in the United States. He arrived in Boston with a suitcase in hand and $100.00 in his pocket. After meeting his future wife, Claudia Leigh Turner in Boston, he scrapped his plans to study in Oklahoma, and instead enrolled at Boston State College, now the University of Massachusetts from which, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Economics and Computer Science. He later completed his MBA at Suffolk University and further went on to complete his Doctorate in Business Administration. 

In 1979, Chief Owumi married Claudia Leigh Turner of Cambridge, MA, a graduate of Lesley College with a BA in Education and a M.Ed. from Antioch College in Ohio. After completing their studies, the Owumi’s relocated back to Nigeria, where they raised their children and devoted themselves to education, health and religious causes.

After 22 years in Lagos, Nigeria, the Owumi’s moved their  family back to Boston, where he spent the next 25 years working as a Financial Administrator at Harvard University’s School of Public Health, Boston College, Boston Public Health Commission, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

In 2010, Dr. Joseph A. Owumi, Sr. was designated to highest honor as an Ughelli Chief of the Ughelli Kingdom. His elevation to Chiefdom Kingdom was the recognition of his professional accomplishments, his charity, and his dedication to his community and the Urhobo people. He is a beloved and accomplished son of the Urhobo Tribe of Nigeria and serves as a shining example for the sons and daughters of Urhobo land, and Nigeria.

Chief (Dr.) Joseph A. Owumi, Jr. leaves behind his loving wife Chief (Mrs.) Claudia L. Owumi, and seven children ,Mrs. Malinda Leigh Owumi, Chief Joseph A. Owumi, Jr., Chief Anthony, E. Johnson, Alexander, Chief Melissa Marguerite Ufoma Owumi Watson, and Justin), 11 beautiful grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

WITH LOVE, CHIEF (MRS.) CLAUDIA OWUMI

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5.6