Frank Justin-Mensah Darku

Frank Darku was born on March 5, 1937, to James K B Darku and Yah Mercy Nonor in Koforidua, Ghana. Although a longtime resident of the United States, he spoke fondly of his time in Ghana and carried throughout his life a deep pride in the achievements of the Ghanaian people.

Frank’s early education took him to Togo and other countries in Africa, and he later began working in the shipping industry, which gave him the opportunity to travel to many countries in Africa and Europe. A man drawn to words and to writing, he studied and learned several languages, including French, English, and German. His travels brought him to the United States, where he pursued educational and business opportunities, ultimately settling in Philadelphia. There, he became a U.S. citizen and spent the latter half of his life.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Frank welcomed the births of his daughters, Helena and Senia. In 1988, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he volunteered in many capacities, most recently as a church usher. Frank became well known in his church congregation and in the Overbrook neighborhood where he lived.

Opinionated at times, Frank had great confidence in himself and was always devising new ideas for inventions and business ventures. He enjoyed sharing tales—perhaps with a few embellishments—with friends about his travels, educational pursuits, and interactions with politicians and other well-known individuals. A talented cook, he enjoyed creating various stews and other dishes for his friends based on old family recipes and had a particular love of fish and seafood. He would happily debate the merits of salmon versus whiting and enjoyed sharing photos of prize catches with his friends. He also took pride in his appreciation for herbal medicine and was quick to offer a home remedy to friends and neighbors troubled by illness.

Frank enjoyed robust health into his late eighties, but ultimately succumbed to illnesses related to cancer in 2026. He joins his grandson Julian C. Darku, who preceded him in passing, and is survived by his daughters, Helena Darku-McClarence and Senia Lewis; his son-in law, Carlton McClarence; and his grandchildren Malachai Z. Darku, Quadeah Morris, Dashawn Morris, Daivon Morris, Iesha Morris, Isaiah Morris, Quahzeem Morris, Nybre Washington, Nyjae Washington, Nevaeh Washington, Syheed Marshall, and Tysheed Marshall.

A Daughter’s Tribute

By Helena Darku McClarence

My father was not a perfect man, and our relationship was not always an easy one.

There were times when he was absent—when I needed him and he wasn’t there in the way a daughter hopes her father will be. He had his flaws, his struggles, and his battles, and I would be dishonest if I said they didn’t leave their marks.

But people are complicated, and so are the bonds we share with them.

When life became frightening, when I felt I had nowhere else to turn, my father found his way back to me. He may not have always known how to be the father I needed in the ordinary moments, but when the moments mattered most, he showed up. He stood beside me when the world felt too heavy and reminded me that, despite everything, I was still his daughter.

That is the part of our story I will carry with me.

I won’t rewrite our past or pretend it was without pain. But I also won’t let the difficult parts overshadow the times he was there when I needed him most.

Sometimes people lose their way. Sometimes they wander through life trying to find their place, and sometimes they find their way back to the people they love.

My father did that for me.

For that, I will always be grateful.

I say goodbye not to a perfect father, but to my father—a flawed, complicated, sometimes absent man who still left an imprint on my life that I will carry forever.

I hope that wherever his journey takes him now, he has finally found his way home.

And I hope he knows that, despite everything, his daughter loved him.

Your daughter,

HDM

For Dad

By Senia Lewis

Dad I kno we didn’t always see I to I

but I am very greatful for the time I got to spend wit u

& give u all the love by & embrace & hugs & kisses

& u even got to meet some of my kids which

I am so happy u got to meet them

when we got back in touch & they got to meet u I was talkin to u,

u was smilin & my kids was tlkin to u

u was smilin & tlkin bck tlkin to me

we build a bond tht I wanted to last longer

but I miss u so much & I love u so much

need u to be there to watch over me

cuse I am lost wit out u bein here

& need my dad confort

i took so many pictures of u & me & the kids

to see how much I look like u

I feel u wit me when I sleep & a wake

when I sit alone I think bout how we use to tlk & laugh

then u use to tell me thing to hlp me & I didn’t listen

but I learned from wat u tld me.

Thank u for bein my dad no matter wat

& givin me life to be a daughter to u.

I needed u a little

Longer

to be here wit us

always love & forever

Your daughter Senia

Quadeah, Dashawn, Daivon, Iesha, Isaiah, Quahzeem, Nybre, Nevaeh, Nyjae, Syheed, Tysheed