Pascal Kabemba – June 6

Pascal N. Kabemba of Mount Vernon, New York, passed away on June 6, 2023. He was 59 years old. Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sept. 18, 1963 to Joseph Kabemba and Bernadette Mujinga, Pascal was the second oldest of nine children. Pascal came to the United States for the first time when he was five years old as his father completed his residency at Yale New Haven Medical Center. After his father’s residency in the States, the family moved back to the DRC. About 10 years later, in the late 1970s, Pascal returned to the U.S. where he attended boarding school at Milford Academy in Milford, CT. He graduated as valedictorian in 1981, and went on to attend Colgate University where he met his future wife, Teresa Delgado. The couple were married on September 2, 1989, at St. Catharine’s Church in Pelham, NY, and from their love they were blessed with four children: Francesca, Celeste, Josiah and Xavier.

Pascal was a brilliant man. At Colgate, he majored in physics and math.  After graduating from Colgate University, he worked in various fields of finance, including corporate and investment banking. He was very dedicated to his education and, while working full time, he received his MBA in 1996 from NYU Stern School of Business. Later in his professional career, he supported pastors and parishes in the Bronx as an Associate Director of Finance with the Archdiocese of New York; he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Marble Collegiate Church in NYC; and most recently served as Director of Finance for St. Thomas Aquinas College in Rockland County. Pascal was passionate about his work but always made sure family came first and enjoyed spending time surrounded by his loved ones.

Pascal was an avid photographer; he loved to take pictures and would always have his camera handy for family events. He loved listening to music, dancing, weight training/fitness, and being a family man. He coached Josiah’s flag football team, Xavier’s basketball team, and was the loudest cheerleader for Francesca and Celeste when they were high school cheerleaders! Pascal was known to start a family dance off and took dance lessons with his wife. Pascal was a brilliant, joyful, one-of-a-kind man. He was a loving, faithful, funny, family-oriented, and caring person.  In many more ways than his physical presence, he was larger than life.

Pascal will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother and wonderful friend. He will be dearly missed by so many whose lives he touched; however, his family finds comfort in the many treasured memories he leaves behind. His courage in the face of cancer through the last four years was astounding; and his legacy will live on through all who knew and loved him.Pascal is survived by his wife Teresa; his daughters, Francesca and Celeste; and his sons, Josiah and Xavier. He will be missed by his mother, Bernadette, and by his seven siblings. He will also be missed by many extended family members across the country and the globe. He is predeceased by his father, Joseph Biabululu Kabemba, as well as his brother Charles Muzadi Kabemba.

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.