Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home
110 Limerock Street, Rockland, Maine 04841
207-594-4212
Serving Midcoast Families since 1830
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July 20, 1943 – October 9, 2016
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Obituary for Michael Sekou Silla
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On the afternoon of October 9, Dr. Sekou "Michael" Sylla passed away suddenly at his home on Vinalhaven, Maine. Michael was born July 20, 1943 in Boffa, Republic of Guinea, West Africa, the son of Mariame Camara of Guinea and Saidouba Sylla of Sierra Leone. He married Virginia Bailey-Olney in 1981.
Michael received a medical degree with honors from the Paris Sud University, Paris, France in 1970 and a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University School of Public Health, Division of Tropical Medicine in 1992.
In his years as a physician, he was an emergency room physician; a Research Associate at St. Luke's Hospital Medical Center, New York, researching metabolic diseases and nutritional-related disorders; Assistant to the Director, Associated Mission Medical Office (AMMO), Division of Overseas Ministries, National Council of Churches, New York, NY, investigating and preparing reports on nutrition, tropical viruses and filarial infections in Africa; a physician with the NY Board of Health; and Surgical Assistant, St. Clare's Hospital, New York, NY, assisting in Obstetrics-Gynecology Service.
He founded and was president of the Guinea Development Foundation, whose mission is to assist in the social and economic development of the country. He spent much of his later life trying to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to medically underserved areas.
Michael so enjoyed his summers spent in Vinalhaven, Maine that, in 2011, he and his wife Virginia retired to the island. He could often be seen fishing - seeking the elusive Stripers - or talking with his friends downtown.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother and sister, and is survived by a daughter Nathalie Stanislawska and her partner Edgard Coipel of Paris, France, as well as a son, Christofer "Mike Jr." Almen, his wife Saba and their two children, Erik and Elias of Stockholm, Sweden.
A memorial service was held at Union Church on Tuesday, October 18. Donations may be made to Islands Community Medical Center, Inc., Vinalhaven Emergency Services, Union Church of Vinalhaven or Vinalhaven Eldercare Services.
The family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to the Islands Community Medical Center, Inc., Vinalhaven Emergency Services and the personnel who cared for Michael.
Michael received a medical degree with honors from the Paris Sud University, Paris, France in 1970 and a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University School of Public Health, Division of Tropical Medicine in 1992.
In his years as a physician, he was an emergency room physician; a Research Associate at St. Luke's Hospital Medical Center, New York, researching metabolic diseases and nutritional-related disorders; Assistant to the Director, Associated Mission Medical Office (AMMO), Division of Overseas Ministries, National Council of Churches, New York, NY, investigating and preparing reports on nutrition, tropical viruses and filarial infections in Africa; a physician with the NY Board of Health; and Surgical Assistant, St. Clare's Hospital, New York, NY, assisting in Obstetrics-Gynecology Service.
He founded and was president of the Guinea Development Foundation, whose mission is to assist in the social and economic development of the country. He spent much of his later life trying to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to medically underserved areas.
Michael so enjoyed his summers spent in Vinalhaven, Maine that, in 2011, he and his wife Virginia retired to the island. He could often be seen fishing - seeking the elusive Stripers - or talking with his friends downtown.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother and sister, and is survived by a daughter Nathalie Stanislawska and her partner Edgard Coipel of Paris, France, as well as a son, Christofer "Mike Jr." Almen, his wife Saba and their two children, Erik and Elias of Stockholm, Sweden.
A memorial service was held at Union Church on Tuesday, October 18. Donations may be made to Islands Community Medical Center, Inc., Vinalhaven Emergency Services, Union Church of Vinalhaven or Vinalhaven Eldercare Services.
The family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to the Islands Community Medical Center, Inc., Vinalhaven Emergency Services and the personnel who cared for Michael.
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Phone: 207-594-4212
Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home
110 Limerock Street
Rockland ME04841
Fax: 207-596-0755
