BIRTH AND PARENTAGE
Attorney Thomas AkoliOgar, Sr. was born in AkrehaIyala in the then Ogoja local government area Cross River State of Nigeria on January 6, 1956 to late OgarOgbaji of Akreha and Martina Odey of IjeYache- both of the then Ogoja local government now Iyala local government.
EDUCATION
Tom began his primary school education in Lagos, while living with his maternal uncle John Ayide. He later transferred to St Francis Primary School AlifokpaYache where he completed his elementarysix certificate in 1969. He briefly attended Mary Knoll Secondary School OkukuOgoja then completed his WASC in Jos in 1974.
He came to the United States in 1976, and attended Hofstra University in New Yorkwhere he met his first wife Paulette. He graduated from Hofstra in 1980.He then went to Glasgow, UK to do his Masters and received an MS in Social Work. In 1989 he graduated from Columbia Law School. He had a knack for flying, andbecame licensed pilot in 2000. He further studied naturopathic medicine in Pennsylvania and received a doctorate in it in 2017.Tom, being a lifelong learner, received a Doctor of Integrative Medicine in 2018 and the MMF Master Class in Plant-based Clinical Nutrition in 2020.
The length and breadth of Tom’s scholarship and attendantbrilliance underscore his determination and hard work, discipline and focus, versatility and quest for self-development through acquisition of knowledge and its right application to the service of humanity. Yet the great servant who spent years acquiring knowledge of different shades and from a variety of disciplines remained humble.
WORK AND CAREER
After finishing secondary school in Jos in 1974 he came back to Ogojaand became a teacher in WankadeIyalaOgoja. Due to his excellent work as a teacher, he was later transferred to the local school board office where he worked until his departure to the United States in 1976.
After his first degree, Tom worked in Washington DC with Child and Family services Agency where he developed substance abuse programs for children and pregnant women suffering from the effects of drug use. The abuse program helped alleviate the substance abuse problem in DC and the surrounding communities. As a program developer, he originated a pilot program in collaboration with Columbia University to prevent children from using drugs. The ultimate goal of the program was to help reunite children in the foster care system and their families together in a timely fashion.
He taught family law at Arizona State University. He alsotaught criminal justice at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. His student reviews were excellent.
As an attorney, his law practice included: elder law, estate planning, wills and trust, family and personal injury, and civil litigation. He was very passionate about the law and helping people, and believed that the purpose of law is to serve humanity and community of people’s need. He was nominated for Probate Judge, and according to GOP Kronen,“Ogar was uniquely trained in the law and social policy and in the best position to understand the difficulties and challenges facing elders and families as they navigate the Connecticut’s probate court system.” Whatever the circumstances, he strived enhance his clients wellbeing.
Tom was also interested in politics. He ran for the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2012 with the slogan “Politics of Common Sense”. Although he lost, he used the loss as a lesson and later ran for mayor of East Hartford in 2015 which he eventually lost.
RELIGIOUS LIFE
Attorney Tom was a devout Roman Catholic. He worshiped at Cathedral of St Joseph, Hartford, CT. He spared no opportunity to remind his people that being a good Christian lies in good exemplary action, and in being prayerful and hard working at the same time. He was consistent with his faith until his death.
MARITAL AND FAMILY LIFE
Tom was married to Paulette Felder, his first wife whom the met at Hofstra University. They had a son,Thomas AkoliOgar, Jr. and daughter, Crystal IyajiOchuelOgar. He later remarried Mary Ogar in 2006, and had two wonderful children Adrienne and Ian. He also had a son Sunday who resides in Nigeria. He epitomized a good husband, a humble and loving father who stood firmly by his family. Tom was a very caring person who touched the lives of people he interacted with and always put a smile on their faces.
Travelling was a great passion of his, having left Nigeria through an exchange program to explore the world from Scotland to London to Canada and all over the U.S. His enjoyment of new experiences and places is a trait he passed on to his children. He loved soft rock music of all decades, especially 70’s,80’s,90’s and would listen to it often with his family while going on road trips.
DEATH
He had a massive stroke and was admitted at St Francis Hospital Hartford CT on Saturday March 6, but on Saturday March 13,2021, he died, and thus the curtain was drawn on the phenomenal life of great consequence and impact of Attorney Thomas Akoli Ogar, Sr.
He is Survived by:
Wife Mary
Children
Son Thomas Akoli, Jr.
Daughter Crystal Iyaji
Daughter Adrienne
Son Ian
Son Sunday
Siblings
Brother Chris
Half Brother Ogbaji
Half Sister Aru
Mother Martina OdeyOgar
Grand Children Four
“You will remember me when the west wind moves upon the fields of barley. You will forget the sun in his jealous sky, as we walk in fields of Gold”-Field of Gold, Sting. Yes, we will remember for the difference you made in the lives of many, for the smile you put on faces, and for your kindness. You will be missed, but your legacy of love and kindness will live on. Adieu!
Visitation will be Saturday morning from 8:30a.m. to 10: 30a.m in the chapel of the Hartford Community Funeral Home 380 Maple Avenue, Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at t the Cathedral of Saint Joseph Church at 11a.m. 140 Farmington Avenue in Hartford. Burial will immediately follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.