Wednesday, February 25, 2015

HE LIVED

Oswald Gould (Ossie) was born on December 18, 1972 in Port of Spain Trinidad. He was called home to his Lord on February 21, 2015 after an “intense” battle with stage 4 Nasopharyngeal cancer, a rare form of cancer located at the back of his nostrils underneath his brain. Ossie migrated to the United States in 1995 and joined the United States Navy shortly after. He was an avid runner and logged many miles each week. His love of running led to him competing in the Wounded Warriors games even while battling cancer. Running was his therapy.

Ossie was a dedicated young man. His work ethic was exemplary and he was often referred to as the sailor you can count on. “I know I can count on Gould. Even if it’s a holiday, once I call he shows up” was one of his chief’s favorite comments when he talked about Petty Officer GouldPetty Officer Gould had a reputation for being reliable, hardworking and the one who always was about getting the job done.

When Ossie was initially diagnosed with stage 4 Nasopharyngeal cancer, he made up his mind to fight the greatest battle of his life. He held firmly to his faith in God and with the loving care of his mother he triumphed demonstrating that he was an over-comer in Christ. He fought cancer the first time around and became a changed man. Ossie became a vegan believing that he needed to improve the care of his temple and dedicated every breath he had to holding on to God. He discovered“what really mattered” in life – faith in God. He became an inspiration to all who knew him. He sent Face book messages and texts every day to family and friends reminding them to “never give up on God but keep believing in Him.” It was this message he consistently conveyed, and in doing so he helped others rise above their own daily and life challenges.

Ossie took great pride in being a father. He loved his son, Lebron, and wanted to help him become a better man than he ever was. His biggest regret was not having enough time to teach Lebron the life lessons he had learned. Ossie was a loving husband. He devoted his life to providing a loving and caring home.

Ossie leaves behind his wife Avalon Gould, his son Lebron Gould, his parents Jacqueline Douglas and Inniss Gould and his siblings Curtis Douglas, Kathleen Douglas, Anthony Gould, Esmond Gould, Petra Henry, George Douglas, Patricia Gould and Petra Masson and 17 nieces and nephews (Gerard, Nicole, Nikiesha, Stacey, Kwame, Damian, Glenda, Camille, Dario, Tennille, Donna, Debra, Solano Shirelle, Olivia and Brooke) and many cousins.

THE VIEWING
Day/Date:         Sunday March 1, 2015 
Time:                from 3pm to 5pm
Where:             Metropolitan Funeral Home
Address:          120 West Berkley Avenue Norfolk VA 23523.

THE FUNERAL SERVICE
Day/Date:           Monday March 2, 2015
Place:                 Metropolitan Funeral Home
Time:                11:00 am (burial immediately following)
Where:               Albert G Horton Memorial Veterans cemetery
Address:            5310 Milners Road Suffolk VA 23434.

CONDOLENCES:
Please forward condolences to his wife Avalon Gould at 745 Hunters Quay Chesapeake VA 23320.

FAMILY & FRIENDS:
For out of town family and friends the hotel being used is Courtyard Norfolk Downtown at 520 Plume Street Norfolk VA 23510.

CHARITY:
In honor of Ossie we are raising awareness of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying active by donating to our favorite charities by logging miles. You can get started by going to the link and download the app to your phone and log your miles: www.charitymiles.org/

WOUNDED WARRIOR GAMES:



Participating in the Warrior Games in the midst of his battle with Nasopharyngeal cancer, Ossie dared to live, to fight, he challenged himself and ran after 33 days of radiation and five sets of chemotherapy.


21 comments:

  1. Oh cous, you will be missed. You were well loved, though at times like all of us you probably didn't always feel it as much when the family dynamics came into play. That's life; we all have our story to tell on that score.

    I was the baby in my branch of the family but among all 9 of us kids Ossie was the baby. He was very handsome, ooh child you know God took his time molding him from beginning to end. He got the lion's share of masculine beauty plus the guy behind him in line, the guy in the middle of the line and the guy at the end of the line. He was cute as all get out. A gift I think at the times he felt was more of a curse than a blessing because whenever we had events Ossie use to have to hide from girls, they literally plastered themselves on him while others flock to him like bees to honey. It was hilarious to see the “help me” look skitter across his face as he anxiously span the crowd looking for Tantie Jacqueline. My dear sweet handsome cousin was terrified. We all laughed at his expense of course kids being kids but he was seriously scared. He would run behind Tantie Jacqueline to hide sometimes begging her to protect him and keep him safe. When I think of those days I smile as I am smiling now.

    Face forward eons later, he the grown man, me the grown woman, living worlds apart we managed to keep a connection through long phone conversations and mini texts back and forth, it wasn’t ideal but, it’s what family does, make the effort to say connected.

    If you reading this cous (Yeah am talking to you), you are not off the hook brother, you are on angel duty now so check in, stay connected and lemme know what’s ahead when I hit a blind spot.

    Peace
    Love you much,
    Hitting it straight from the hips as per usual…..D

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  2. Ozzie and I became friends while we attended the Laventille Open Bible Church, Trinidad. I remember him as being a funny guy always "talking stupidness" to make us laugh and always clowning around. We got disconnected when he migrated to the US and reconnnected via fb a couple years after. We talked via skype when he told me about his illness. I was dumbfounded. Since then, our communication has been via whats app messenger where he would have sent me inspirational messages every morning at around 6:30 as a rule as I knew I wasnt the only one. Sometimes he would miss a day in sending it and I would say to him.. "ozzie you late" to which he would respond "girl, I woke up late". I would always miss him anytime he came Trini to visit which I regret now.. Ozzie, I will always remember the times we chatted/shared and to your son and wife, I'm sorry that I never got the opportunity to meet you guys. His life was a blessing and I know he lived it to the fullest. Safe in the arms of God you are.

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  3. Very humble man, I will miss him for wakeing me up early in the morning, with the word of God.

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  4. Sometimes we prepare for physical confrontation that exists in the world around us however sad as it may be, some of our fights exist internally, and rarely do we succeed. He will be missed, the fight was long and hard. GTS

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  5. I vaguely remember Ossie from when i was in Trinidad, however when I connected with him on facebook, he began sending me inspirational messages everyday except the weekend. I thought that they were a blessings and i looked forward to them. When the messages stopped i contacted him via message and asked if everything was ok because it was unusual to not get a message. For the time that I knew him, he Blessed my life so much that i was emotionally impacted by his death. I will keep him and his family in my prayers and it was a blessing knowing him.

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  6. My uncle fought a good fight and lived a good life. He impacted everyone that he came in contact with him and for that he will truly be missed. R.I.P uncle your baby girl loves you.

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  7. My friend for life when morvant also malick too remember walk with his crew class mate back in the 80 few years ago we began talking on the phone we share stories like it was yesterday I Will miss my early morning word of encouragement from him much love to his family

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  8. RIP my friend good friend is hard to find

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  9. Will surely be missed his inspirational messages every day and words of encouragement, I often tell him to be strong and fight to the end, to his wife keep the faith and dwell in good times and beautiful memories he left behind. RIP my friend

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  10. I remember how surprised and shock I was when I first read about Ossie passing on facebook, my shock was replaced by disbelief and a sense of sadness in knowing that I have lost a friend who always took the time to send me facebook messages every day which was inspirational and uplifting to everyday struggles, the last message I received from Ossie was on January 21st 2015 and I had no clue that Ossie was still battling cancer.

    I thought he was in remission/cancer free. Lebron I will like you to know not only was your DAD a great husband and father he also took time everyday to reach out and show concern and love for those people he considered a friend. He will be missed but never forgotten. Be proud in knowing he was your Dad and make your Dad proud

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  11. I met your dad on a very talented track team call Morvant Jets in Trinidad & Tobago. He was a very talented 400 & 800 runner. He was always a very humble, quite and funny person. Always with that smile. He will talk, but not much. We were so much younger then. I was in disbelief when I heard that had past away and heartbroken. Your dad Oswald Gould was a great man and I pray that you follow in his footsteps to be all that he will want you to be. Hold your head up. To you and your mom. God Bless.

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  12. Gone but never to be forgotten . He give and he take ,you are on your new journey . You left Lebron with wisdom ,knowledge and understanding he is in good hand a God fearing family to keep doing what was not yours to complete.we know he (God) don't make mistake.R.I.P. My friend until we meet again

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  13. Beautiful spirit, tender voice, loving heart...RIP

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  14. THIS MORNING I ROLL OVER TO A FACEBOOK MESSAGE THAT I HAVE LOST MY FIRST COUSIN - OSWALD GOULD - THIS HERE IS A TRUE GLADIATOR HE FOUGHT CANCER FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, HE LAUGHED, HE ENJOYED HIS WIFE Avalon Belfast Gould AND HIS SON, AND ALWAYS FOUND TIME FOR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. REST IN PEACE MY DEAR CUZ, AM GONNA MISS YOUR MORNING MESSAGES - TO AVALON, Patricia Gould, Anthony Gould, Esmond Gould, Jacqueline Douglas, Inniss Gould, Cammy Gould, Glenda Gillian Gould, AND HIS HEART TROB LEBRON- MY DEEPEST AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES FROM DANIEL AND I.

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  15. God knows best and has received His son home. R.I.P. Oswald Gould. Condolences to his wife Avalon Belfast Gould, his son Lebron, his brother (my husband) George Douglas his mom Jacqueline Douglas sister Patricia Gould other sister Kathleen other brothers Curtis, Tony and Edmond nieces Cammy Gould, Glenda Gillian Gould. All friends and family members to numerous to mention.
    The strength of God be with us during this time and the unifying power of the Holy Spirit!!!!

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  16. Last week my friend and business partner Oswald, passed away. We laid him to rest on Monday morning with a beautiful home-going celebration. As a cancer patient he started out as my loyal customer on the Greens to help energize and detox his body because he wanted to fight with every ounce of his being. He loved them so much he wanted to offer them to others. I remember his business launch in this pic. He couldn't do much, but he was so excited! His wife, my friend Avalon, was right by his side every step of the way during his journey taking care of him and supporting his vision to keep his mind active while he fight to live. What a hero. Remember what is important. Tomorrow is not promised. He lived and loved hard, and even though he was weak at times, he was still offering health and life to others. Wow! We have nothing to complain about, but everything to be grateful for. You will always be the champ Ossie!! We love you forever. Rest with Jesus now. Pray for his wife and family. ‪#‎YouRanYourRace‬ ‪#‎rip‬ ‪#‎youarehealedeternally‬

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  17. Veronica B RawlingsMarch 8, 2015 at 3:10 AM

    To Avalon and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Ossie was a very sweet and inspriational man. My life was richer because of knowing him. There are no words I can give to comfort your heart. You are in my heart and daily prayers. Love you.

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  18. Bishop Bernard WilliamsMarch 8, 2015 at 3:12 AM

    To the family and friends of Brother Gould, what a marvelous example of a God-centered and true warrior for Christ. I did not know Ossie in life, but he has taught all of us how to live and die by example. I thank God for his legacy and pray that those who knew him will emulate the lessons in life he taught through his unwavering faith. God bless you Mrs. Gould and Lebron.

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