Emmillio M. Chanda

EMMILLIO MULENGA CHANDA, 65; Emmillio was called to rest on November 29th, 2025, in the embrace of his loving wife and family, after facing colon and prostate cancer with remarkable courage and grace. He was the beloved husband of Martha Mwale Mulenga, loving father of Bruce Mulenga, Dr. Musunga Angela Mulenga, and Chilando “Cheech” Mulenga; dear grandfather to Dasha and Ariele; cherished brother, uncle, cousin, mentor, and loyal friend to many.

Born on May 20th, 1960 in Kawambwa, Zambia, Emmillio was raised in a deeply Catholic home by his parents, Mr. Vitaliano Mulenga and Mrs. Rosaria Chilufya. He grew up in Chililabombwe, where his extraordinary athletic talent first became evident. He played soccer at Mufulira Primary School and later qualified for Kafue Boys Secondary School, where he was recruited by Nitrogen Stars Football Club. He continued his athletic excellence at the University of Zambia (UNZANDO) in Kitwe, where he studied Business Administration and met his wife Martha , herself a standout basketball athlete. In 1986, they made university history when they were awarded Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year in the same year. “While at UNZANDO, he signed with Vitafoam United, becoming the only university graduate in the Zambian Premier League at the time. He played three celebrated seasons and remains part of the proud legacy of Vitafoam in Zambian football” (Ponga Liwewe).

On May 26th, 1990, Emmillio married Martha in Lusaka, beginning 35 beautiful years of partnership rooted in faith, mutual respect, and devotion. Together they were active members of the World-Wide Marriage Encounter, strengthening not only their own marriage but also supporting countless other couples. Emmillio was a committed educator and pillar of opportunity within his extended family, supporting several relatives through high school and college. Together with Martha, they owned and operated Sunga Nursery School in Ndola, Zambia, known for high-quality early childhood education. Emmillio also founded the beloved annual “Fly Over Day,” giving preschoolers the chance to visit the airport and take flights with local pilots , an unforgettable experience for generations of children.

His career took him to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in California in 1995, where he trained as a Graduate Gemologist, gaining expertise in gemstone appraisal and fine jewelry design. He later immigrated to the United States with his wife and children, where he continued to serve his church communities and eventually established Precision Jewelry Appraisal LLC.

The family first lived in New Jersey, where he and Martha served as premarital counselors at St. Andrew’s Parish in Voorhees. They later relocated to Colorado to be closer to their daughter during her medical training and to continue his cancer treatment with the full support of family.

Soccer remained one of Emmillio’s greatest joys. He coached the Berlin Blizzards in Berlin, NJ, and St. Joseph’s High School in Hammonton, NJ. He proudly passed on his love for the sport to his son Cheech, who played at East Carolina University and later for West Chester United.

One of Emmillio’s deepest sources of peace was the beach. The ocean was his sanctuary ! A place where he felt closest to God, grounded in faith, and fully at ease. Whether walking the shoreline, watching waves, or simply sitting with the breeze, the beach was where he prayed, reflected, and reconnected with his spirit.

Despite his illness, Emmillio never allowed cancer to define him. He remained a dedicated, kind, warm, and deeply respected husband, father, businessman, neighbor, and community member. He loved celebrating life, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, fireworks on the Fourth of July, and a braai (BBQ) on Zambia’s Independence Day. He was also an exceptional and passionate cook. Most recently, he delighted in hosting Thanksgiving for young resident physicians in Colorado, bringing joy and warmth to all who gathered in his home.

If you asked him, his greatest pride was his family: being married to his best friend Martha, and being a father to Bruce, Musunga, and Cheech, and a grandfather to Dasha and Ariele. He celebrated his children’s accomplishments, in medicine, economics, athletics, and community service, with endless love and humility.

The memory of Emmillio’s love, light, kindness, faith, and incredible strength lives on in all who knew him. We know that God has received him in heaven and that he is now among the angels, watching over us in eternal peace.