In Memory of Hirofumi Ando(1957 - 2018)
- Name
- Hirofumi Ando
- Spouse
- Sonia Ando
- Children
- Hiroyuki, Misaki, Yuri
- Birth Date
- February 21, 1957
- Blessing Date
- July 1, 1982
- Ascension Date
- September 27, 2018
Hirofumi Ando was born on February 21, 1957, in Gifu, Japan at his family house. He was the youngest child of Yukio and Kaku Ando. He grew up with an older brother, Kazuo who survives him, as does their mother.
As a child, he dreamed of becoming a professional golfer and a rally car racer, but from the moment he discovered the Unification Movement and the Divine Principle, he would take on a new mission, to help people, to save his fellow man. Though he joined the movement in his native land, the Providence would lead him to America, where he became a fundraising team captain traveling across the breadth of this country.
Later he would be matched and Blessed in marriage at the New Yorker Hotel with his wife, Sonia Gracia, a native of El Salvador. He moved to Dallas, Texas, both as a church missionary and also to start his new role as Sonia’s husband and hopefully become parents. Over the nineties, they would build a Blessed Family, having three beautiful children—Hiroyuki, Misaki, and Yuri.
Many of his friends would describe him as hard working, kind, and hilariously funny. He possessed an uncanny ability to remember roads, highways, and recall people’s names and faces, even if he had not seen them for over 20 years. Most recently he worked at True World Foods in Dallas where he made many good friends, and prior to that, for many years as a deliveryman for a floral company—Flower Man—of Irving.
In June 2018, he was diagnosed with a very rare, rapidly growing bile duct cancer at a somewhat advanced stage. When doctors told him there was nothing more they could do, he did not fear, but instead smiled and said he would rather be cared for at home. His family and church community loved and supported him during this difficult time. He would often remark that the many visitations he received were so uplifting and gratifying. He fought his cancer for four months and ascended to the spirit world in the early hours of September 27, 2018, in his home surrounded by his family.
His love and his spirit continue to live on in the people he has met and the friendships he created. He will be missed and loved always.
His Seonghwa Ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at 3:00 PM at the DFW Family Church located at 1710 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062.
Letters can be sent to his family at 1003 Bannack Drive Arlington, TX 76001.
- Time
- 3:00 PM
- Date
- Sunday, September 30, 2018
- Location
- DFW Family Church: 1710 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062
Steve Kille
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Hirofumi, you set a beautiful example of sacrificial effort for the sake of Heaven. You shed your blood, sweat and tears. My brother, we are eternally grateful. Shine brightly in your new eternal home!
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Jim Caron and Family
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Dear Ando family. we are so sad for your great loss. We are putting your dad in our daily prayer. please let us know if we can help in any way. jim caron
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Kazuyoshi Ikeno
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Dear Sonia
I am so sorry to hear your beloved husband passed away.
I pray for his peaceful ascension.
I hope you will be strong to raise your wonderful children until you will have many grandchildren.
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Sydelle Enyeart
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We have one member here from El Salvador. I will inform her. He sounds like a person I would have loved to have known. God Bless the Ando family. IMON, Robert & Sydelle Enyeart
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Jean Gomis
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Condolences to Mrs Ando and Family on the Ascension Of Hirofumi.
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Danilo Covone
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I work with Ando for many years in MFT in Texas for my year and I was so lost when I see the is picture is past on the spirit world .My heart look like stop and very cold. So my memory whit Him we have very good time.I will missing is determination and motivation. I love you Ando san. Thank you for all your hard work for God and TP.
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Misaki Ando
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Dear Mr. Danilo Covone,
Yes my father was a very hard working man. And he was always positive about life. My father remembers everyone he’s ever worked with so I am sure my father remembers you very well. Before my father passed away he would talk about his younger days in the church and I remember him mentioning an Italian brother he worked with.
He cherished all the good and bad experiences in his life and always stayed positive. I hope you can do the same.
Thank you for remembering my father. God bless
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