Robel Tesema waged a valiant four-year battle against colon cancer and passed away on September 12, 2026, at the age of 39. He was born in Ethiopia and emigrated to the US in 2006. A proud graduate of Portland High School, Robel worked many years at Hannaford and the YMCA where he was a trainer who started programs for immigrant parents and children and organized special events for Ethiopian orphans. Later Robel found his niche during the Covid Pandemic when he worked for Abbott Labs, finding and training recruits to produce the newly developed Covid tests. He achieved the American Dream by putting all his hard-earned pay towards buying a house for his family. Just four months later, that dream was shattered when Robel was laid off as the pandemic wound down. Four days after his lay-off, Robel was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. He had a mortgage payment, 2 young children, no job, and a terminal illness. Through Go Fund Me and the wonderful Ethiopian Community in Portland and Boston, Robel received support to keep the family going. Too sick to work, he received full disability and was able to keep things afloat. When the cancer appeared to be winning, he traveled to Ethiopia to take the Holy Water Showers and eat a healthy diet. He came home stronger and his tumors had shrunk. After a short respite, the cancer started spreading to other organs making him sicker and sicker. He decided on a final trip to Ethiopia to try the Holy Water Showers again but was too weak to travel alone. His American “brother”, Kyle delivered him to his family in Addis Ababa and then turned around and came home. Robel spent several weeks with his brother, sister and other relatives but couldn’t reach the area of the Showers or the Tigrey area where his mother lived because of the on-going civil war. Robel, now so sick and weak, decided he needed to get back to Maine and he undertook the grueling trip home by himself. After being picked up at Logan Airport he returned to Maine Med and was soon moved to the Gosnell House Hospice in Scarborough where he peacefully passed away surrounded by loving friends and family. He has enriched the lives of many who came to know him through the years. His resilience, keen insights and faith will always be remembered.

Special thanks to Dr. Viveck Tchekmydian and his compassionate team at the Scarborough Campus Cancer Center who provided outstanding care for 4 years and to Portland High’s dedicated teachers and the Multilingual Center Staff who “adopted” Robel and taught and mentored him and helped him survive those early years in Maine. Also to Peggy at the Root Cellar and Robert from the mentor program who helped Robel so much.

Robel is survived by his two beautiful daughters, Arsema and Ark, who were his greatest joy. He would spend his days bringing them to library story hours and Get Air, doing homework, teaching them math, and attending all their appointments and events, all while undergoing his grueling cancer treatments. They were always foremost on his mind and in his heart.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to the American Cancer Society. Robel will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland where his life will be celebrated at a graveside service to be held at 11:00AM, Thursday, September 17, 2026.