Dr. Emmanuel James Nsien of Port Saint Lucie, Florida died on December 16, 2016 at St. Lucie Medical Center following a brief illness. He was 91 years old.
Dr. Nsien is survived by his wife and soulmate of 62 years, Eyo; children, Dr. Ephraim Nsien, James Nsien, Janet Nsien Gayden, Victor Nsien and Mark Nsien; siblings, John J. Nsien and Enobong J. Nsien, both of Eket, Nigeria. Dr. Nsien is preceded in death by siblings, Moffat J. Nsien, Adiaha J. Nsien, and Alfred J. Nsien, all of Eket, Nigeria.
Dr. Nsien was born on May 5, 1925 in Eket, Nigeria to James and Rebecca Nsien. As a young man, he served as a missionary and in 1954, he married the love of his life, Eyo Asam, a midwife and registered nurse. The two of them lived in Akwa Ibom where they started a family and, for the next 15 years, he worked as a teacher and later headmaster of a local private school. He moved to the US where he graduated from Lincoln University in 1967. He then went on to earn a Master of Public Administration degree from Temple University as well as a PhD in Education from University of Pennsylvania.
Over the next 26 years, Dr. Nsien worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a high school teacher, served as headmaster of a small private school in PA, and was a professor at the Community College of Philadelphia until he retired in 1996. The following year, he moved to Florida where he and his wife made Port Saint Lucie their home. He chose Port Saint Lucie because it reminded him of his native home. His children remember him as a strong man of conviction who encouraged them to pursue their goals and to persevere in spite of life's challenges.
Dr. Nsien was a generous and dedicated man of strong faith who enjoyed watching wrestling, football and soccer. He was passionate about education and serving in his church. He was an active and dedicated member of Morningside Church where he served as an usher and church elder. He was also an active member of the Gideon's International.
Dr. Nsien's life will be remembered during a funeral scheduled for Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 10:30AM at Morningside Church. He will be interned at Rolling Oaks Cemetery with a reception to follow in the Fountain Room at Morningside Church. Pastor Anthony Bruno will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dr. Emmanuel James Nsien's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Morningside Church at 2180 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL. Condolences can be sent to www.treasurecoastseawinds.com