Gallery 2 — Remembering Alberto

The Oceguera family migrated to the United States of America on March 24, 1971 from Cuba. We were sponsored by our dad’s cousin in New York, Eugenia Loyola using a program called “Freedom Flights” which were terminated shortly after our entry to the U.S.A. We were held for about a week in a Miami refugee camp very nicely kept and fed well. I remember being vaccinated back then and Albert and me playing in the swings while our parents looked happy and concerned at the same time wondering what our future would be like since my dad only had a $5 bill in his pocket and nothing else. My brother Albert carried his cowry shells from his Santo Obatala around, he was crowned at a very young age of 4 years old in Cuba. Albert was always a happy kid, loved Bruce Lee Karate movies and baseball. At some point we were put on a flight to New York and lived with our father’s cousin in a one bedroom apartment in Washington Heights. Yikes! it was crowded but we made it work. Mom and Dad found jobs shortly after and then moved into our own apartment in the same building then later moved to Crown Heights Brooklyn and a few years later my family got to live the American dream buying their own home in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Albert used to spend a lot of time reading not just IFA books but reading about different religions, Buddhist writings and different mythologies and philosophies by one of his favorites Joseph Campbell and Alan Watts (who also died at 58 years old), and so many others I couldn’t even name them all. Living in Bay Ridge Brooklyn is where everything changed for us as a family. This is where I have the fondest memories of Albert’s “Plantes” and working till 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. Albert did so much charitable work for his godchildren that needed help and couldn’t afford to pay for his service. He genuinely cared for people and that’s something I always admired about him because I’m a bit more cynical. But he always saw the good in everyone even when they did him wrong he was always humble and Kind and left it up to Orumila to solve. These are enviable traits to have these days and he will be sorely missed not only by his family that loved him dearly but also by his Godchildren.

Albert was lucky enough to find the love of his life when he met Leila. I remember him being so excited when he told me about her the first time and he couldn’t wait for the two of us to meet. He was right about her she was perfect for him just the right woman to take on a larger than life person and give him the stability he needed. They had a child together Benjamin, who looks exactly like Albert and is a brilliant child filled with love and light. I have no doubt that Benji will follow Albert’s legacy of Kindness towards others.

Albert and I always ended our phone calls with “I love you and he would say “I love you more”….May you rest in Peace and Power my beautiful brother. I know we will see each other again and I will give you the biggest hug ever! Say hello to Mami, Papi y Abuela y Abuelo…

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