John "Dotto" Ngongoseke

DOTTO NGONGOSEKE

John (Dotto) Sinsika Ngongoseke, born on November 22, 1963, died suddenly on October 14th at 59 years of age. 

He is survived by his loving wife Ina von Wunsch and his three sons, Sonda, Lyuba and Nyanza, and his extended family: Peter Sinsika Ngongoseke, Dorothee Mbasha Ngongoseke and Deogratius Ngongoseke, Rose Ngongoseke, Ambrose Lukanguji Ngongoseke, Julius Kwalwinzi Ngongoseke and wives and children, Lucy Tabasamu Ngongoseke and her children Regina and Reginald, Jaqueline Ngongoseke, and Baby Rose Ngongoseke. 

Dotto will be reuniting with his predeceased family members in spirit: Dotto’s parents, mother Wilumva Roza Sinsika and father Staika Sebastian Ngongoseke, his twin brother Kulwa Paulo Ngongoseke, sisters Anna Shijia Ngongoseke and Sikitiko Ngongoseke, Catherine Wilumva Ngongoseke, and Hilary Ngongoseke. 

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The son of fishermen on the shores of Lake Nyanza (now Lake Victoria) near the Serengeti in Tanzania, Dotto grew up as one of 10 siblings in a tight knit community.  He was very cared for and loved. He often stated, "My mother was my mother but she was also my best friend".  Entrepreneurial and creative since a young age, Dotto made his own fisher net, grew his own cotton, helped his mother in the kitchen and tended to his father’s 400 pigeons.  He was much adored by his grandmother whose name was also Dotto, which means “twin”.  He often told the stories of his grandmother’s traditions, such as walking from village to village and making her own salt.

Adventurous, with a thirst for new experiences and knowledge as well as great passion for soccer, Dotto moved to Great Britain after being recruited as a soccer player.  But then he returned to Tanzania to help with a family emergency and ultimately moved to the United States at age 30.

Dotto first worked in the electronics field and then shifted to a career in healthcare.  He worked at San Francisco General Hospital (now Zuckerberg) for 17 years as a certified nurse assistant.  He was much beloved by patients and staff alike in this very challenging work.  He lovingly cared for patients in the very intense environment of the “Covid Station” during the pandemic.   

Deeply loved and loving, always incredibly generous and giving, with a highly developed emotional intelligence, Dotto was a very compassionate person, forgiving, kind, supportive and warm.  He taught us all how to love and care more deeply – this was his gift to this world. 

Resilient and freedom-loving, Dotto travelled a lot until meeting his beloved life partner, wife and soulmate Ina von Wunsch. Together they shared the deepest connection a couple could have.  As a husband he was an affectionate, faithful and generous partner who was able to forgive quickly and love deeply. 

The birth of his first son Nyanza channeled this love into a new joy. His sons Nyanza, Lyuba and Sonda were the stars and the sun of his every day.  He was devoted to his "dream team" as he called his family of five.  Dotto was relentless in his efforts to create a loving environment at home, create chef-worthy family meals and tend to his childrens’ many sports pursuits.

Dotto also helped raise and nurture his younger siblings, his late sister’s children, his niece and nephew, and stayed in touch with many childhood friends.  His warmth, generosity and joyful spirit overflowed to his family, his extended family and his community.  Dotto’s life was dedicated to being of service to others.  His family came first, but every person was someone who mattered, whom he treated with love and respect, and in so doing he made all feel like family.

He loved music, had a beautiful voice and wrote some songs in his native language Sukuma.  He was also a passionate photographer, and took beautiful photographs at every family event.

Dotto’s love was always expressed in action and most often by cooking delicious foods for his family, friends and extended family. From French cuisine to traditional Sukuma dishes, there was always a delicious scent coming from the kitchen.

A Celebration of Life will be held by the ocean in Tiburon with a ceremony at the Tiburon Yacht club on Sunday, November 19th at 3pm.  Anyone who would like to give Dotto their last respects is welcome to come.  Additional information will be posted shortly on the Go Fund Me link: Marin County Family Tragedy- Dotto Ngongoseke, organized by Carisa Harris

San Francisco General Hospital will have a memorial service on Friday, November 3rd at 10:00 a.m.

A small intimate gathering for family only will be held on Dotto’s birthday on Wednesday, November 22nd at Hearts Desire.

PERSONAL LETTERS TO DOTTO FROM HIS FAMILY:

Dear Dotto,

This is really hard for us.  I always loved how you were there for us.  You were such a good, loving, passionate and grateful man.  You were always my soccer coach and always watched my games.  But I know that you will still be watching my games and you will always be watching over me.

Sonda, son age 10

Dear Dad,

Thank you for always being the best you can be and always making amazing food for us, even if we didn’t ask for it.  You always went out even late at night just to get something we wanted.  Thank you so much for making me the person I am now.  You are the one who taught me how to clean up after myself and how to play soccer.  You always wanted to help me with my homework even when I didn’t need any help.  I am a much better person because of you, thank you so much.

Lyuba, son age 14

Dear Dotto,

Thank you so much for everything. You were the light of our life, like a beacon leading us forward. Without you we now have an empty hole in our hearts that we must fill with thoughts about you.  As a father, husband, caretaker, chief, electrician, worker, and doctor there will be nobody able to replace you. You taught us how to become more responsible and how to be a kind, loving man in this society, and now without you we have to forge our own path while imagining what you would say to us at any given moment.  There are no words for me to describe how much I love you and I just wish you were here one more time.   May you hear this prayer and start your new journey wherever you are now.  Thank you dad for everything.

Nyanza, son age 15

Beloved Baba Wimbi,

You taught me how to love.  You would say "We are like teenagers growing up together" as we learned how to love each other more and more over time. You had such a big heart and your arms were always open.  You were so forgiving and you always kept track of the truly important things in life.  You showered me with affection and gentleness and even after 12-hour hospital shifts you came home with a smile.  You always put "the human" first.  You never cared about things or money.  All your actions were directed by your heart.  You never discriminated against anyone -- whoever stood before you was met with warmth, showered with attention and offered fresh, homecooked food.  I never wanted to leave your side. In 16 years we only spent two nights apart and that was only to watch the kids sports. You were and are my forever love.  You know my heart and you taught me to love myself because you love yourself in such a beautiful, sharing way.  All who know you are heartbroken.  We miss you so much.

Ina, loving wife

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