Memorial contributions may be made via the link to Zelle:

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Tagbo Emejulu, Sr., age 88 years, of Clinton Township, NJ, died peacefully at home on Friday, April 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice. The following was written with love by his family:

Life of Sir. Tagbo Francis Theophilus Emejulu (aka MmadubuluChukwu)

It is with profound reverence and heartfelt gratitude that we celebrate the life and legacy of Sir Tagbo Francis TheophilusEmejulu, affectionately known as MmadubuluChukwu—a devout Catholic, consummate professional, beloved patriarchand a proud 4th Degree Knight of the Church. Born on October 16, 1936, in Nkolofia village, Awka Etiti, he was the youngestof seven children (five sons and two daughters) born to Theophilus and Agnes Emejulu.

Sir Tagbo’s early education began at St. Joseph Primary School, where his encounter with a seminarian, SylvesterJideofor, sparked his early vocation toward the priesthood. This calling led him to enroll in All Hallows Seminary in 1956.Although he would ultimately discern a different path, his admiration for priests and religious never waned. His unwaveringdevotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary became a guiding force throughout his life, deeply shaping the devout spirituality forwhich he was known.

Those who knew him intimately will remember his enduring faith in God’s divine plan. Whenever life took an unexpectedturn, he would often say, “If you have done your best, then it is the Will of God.” He gently encouraged others to offer theirsufferings and misfortunes to God for the remission of their sins and the benefit of the Holy Souls in purgatory.

He founded the Holy Family Society in the 1980s an organization dedicated to praying for priests, religious, and families.He ardently believed that the clergy, entrusted with guiding souls, are in greater need of spiritual support, and that strong,prayerful families are the bedrock of a virtuous society. He also championed prayers for the holy souls in purgatory,distributing thousands of devotional booklets such as Read Me or Rue It and the Pieta Prayer Booklet, encouraging a life anchored in faith, charity, and eternal hope.

Sir Tagbo pursued a distinguished career in printing and graphic arts. He studied Letterpress Printing at Yaba College ofTechnology (1960–1963), earning a London City and Guilds Intermediate Certificate with second-class honors. He beganhis professional journey at the Government

Printing Press, then Nigeria’s foremost press, where he later attained the Final Certificate from City and Guilds, again with distinction.

In 1965, he traveled to the United States to expand his technical expertise, enrolling at the Manhattan School of Printing inNew York City. There, he specialized in comprehensive photo-offset and screen process printing. After eight industriousyears abroad, he returned to Nigeria in 1976 and resumed service at the Government Press.

In 1978, Sir Tagbo co-founded Cecta Nigeria Limited, a pioneering enterprise that became the first private printing press inEnugu to produce full-color process jobs. As Managing Director, he led Cecta for 27 years with vision, discipline, andintegrity. In 2005, he established Frankphil Ventures, a business focused on heat-transfer printing on apparel andlamination services.

He formally retired in 2011 and returned to the United States with his beloved wife to be closer to their children andgrandchildren. Ever spirited and humorous, he was fond of saying, “I’m retired, but not tired.” He couldn’t stand being idle,so he took employment at Center of Education and Advancement in Flemington.

He was united in holy matrimony to Onyinye Emejulu in February 1970. Their union was one of deep love, mutual respect,and enduring faith, and was blessed with two children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Sir Tagbo Francis Emejulu leaves behind a legacy of faith, diligence, compassion, and unshakable devotion to family andChurch. His radiant presence, wise counsel, and kind heart will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowinghim.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Onyinye Emejulu; his children, Chinelo Akpunonu and Tagbo Emejulu; son-in-law,Marcel Akpunonu; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Emejulu; grandchildren, Esomchim Akpunonu, Nchedo Akpunonu,Somkene Akpunonu, Chibuifem Akpunonu, Nneifem Akpunonu, Treo Emejulu, Nneoma Akpunonu, Amarachi Emejulu,and Kaira Emejulu; and great- grandchildren, Jelani Clements, Mathias Williams, and Amari Clements as well asdozens of nephews & nieces, grandnephews & nieces as well as dear friends.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

A Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Church, followed by repatriation to his native Nigeria will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.  Everyone is invited to meet directly at the church on Saturday at 9:45 a.m.

You are encouraged to visit Tagbo’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions may be made via the link to Zelle:

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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