Albert Gooden

Albert George Gooden (Goody) was born on January 22, 1936 to Theresa Jestina Geohagen Kerr and Abel Williamson Gooden in Preston Oriente Province, Cuba. His mother Theresa migrated to Cuba from Jamaica in 1923. During her time in Cuba she gave birth to Albert. She passed away in 1995 at age 82. Albert migrated to Jamaica when he was 3 years old. As a young man in Jamaica, Albert was very good with his hands and was drawn to Carpentry. He was also interested in music and had dreams of becoming a singer. One of his songs was "Tell Me Why". His cousin Vilma would often serve as backup singer when he was writing and singing this song. Although it was never produced, it was a hit to them. To this day, she can remember all the lyrics he wrote to this song at least 60 years ago. As a result of his interest in music, Albert and his Aunt Daphne formulated a Nat King Cole Fan Club in Jamaica. He was then able to receive song books to practice from.
Albert migrated to the United States in 1965 and in 1967 began working at NYU Langone in the General Store Department where he spent the next 30 years of his life until he retired in 1997. Albert loved and enjoyed his work at NYU. Over the years he formulated a few close friends, and appreciated the support that he received from co-workers. In the end, he stayed, there was no reason for him to leave until retirement. Albert was married to Eloisa Dulcie Gooden who departed this life 17 years ago at age 70. Albert spent most of his life in New York, first in Harlem and then the Bronx. Upon retirement he moved to Orlando where he later married Rose May Gooden on July 3, 2006.
Albert had one son, Kenneth Gooden who currently resides in Kingston, Jamaica. Albert will be remembered for his lovingly, gleeful, embellished stories that he would often talk about in his experiences and interactions with family members, and others. He would often speak about the Hurricane of 1951 where he saved his 1-year-old cousin, Jimmy from the house on Maxfield Avenue where the roof of the house had blown off. He would remember "skulling" school to go to the parade downtown Kingston. and going to his cousin Sadie's father on Friday/Saturday to get 5 shillings to bring back to his grandmother. He would never forget his grandmother, Catherine Kerr (Mama) because she always told him "Never Give Up Your Rights". This was something he felt he lived by.
Albert was very proud of the way he lived his entire life. He was proud that he never brought any shame and disgrace to the family. He walked a narrow path. In recent years he was most proud of the relationship he had developed with his grandchildren. Over the years Albert has physically remained the same as we have all remembered him. He hadn't put on any extra weight as life would permit, he still wore the same size pants he did sixty years ago, and most of all he could still have a good laugh or try to crack a joke. Albert had a keen, eccentric kinda sense of humor.
Albert passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2023. He is survived by his wife Rose, son Kenneth, stepdaughters, Nadine and Stacy, grandchildren, Karanja, Shaneka and Kenny, and 3 great grands, his only living aunt, Daphne Fraser, 92, and a host of relatives including cousins and in-laws. May his soul rest in Eternal Peace.

Submitted In Love By
The Family