Josiah's (Albert-Cockie)

LIFE SKETCH

"To every thing there is a Season and a time for every purpose under Heaven. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again…" Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2, 4, 20 KJV

Josiah (Albert-Cockie) was born to George and Mary Christian on June 11, 1953, in Ebenezer Village, Saint Mary Parish, Antigua, the youngest of ten children. From an early age he showed ambition and determination in civil service, sports, barbering and carpentry. As a teenager he made straw brooms that he would sell in town for spending money and to help his family. He attended Jennings secondary school and took woodwork classes. From there his passion for carpentry was born, and often times he was top of his class. After finishing high school, Albert learned carpentry under the guidance of his brother Thomas Christian's leadership. Hence, carpentry became his lifelong trade. While a carpenter, he learned barbering and was influenced by the love of art from his mother, Mary.

Albert had a keen sense of community and was always giving back. At the age of twenty-two years, he joined the Antiguan and Barbuda police force. Albert was very proud of this achievement; he upheld the law with a no-nonsense attitude when it came to civility and order in his community. On his days off he could be found playing the sport, cricket. He truly loved the game and would always state he was the "Ebenezer Vivian Richards".

Albert's charismatic personality and excellent work ethics propelled him to seek a more ambitious life. As a result, in 1982 he migrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA to live with his sister Lucille Ferguson. In Philadelphia he honed his carpentry skills and began working with a cabinetry company. After a few years Albert became his own boss as a self-employed contractor and expanded his work to include masonry and tile, flooring, carpet laying, roofing, windows and doors and construction.

Albert loved cooking, barbequeing, swimming, biking, dominoes, cricket, dining out, movies and his Philadelphia sports teams, the 76'ers and the E.A.G.L.E.S..

Albert loved and cherished his children, Simone, Althia and Kareem, and was proud of the adults they have become. His greatest joy was being around the family and taking care of his grandchildren. Albert passed away at 70 years of age.

Albert was pre-deceased by his parents George and Mary Christian, sisters Christobel Greene and Mavis (Iza) Stuart, brothers Uriah, Zephaniah and Lemuel Christian.

Albert leaves to cherish his memory his three children Simone Albert (Rudolph Albert), Althia Christian and Kareem Christian. His grandchildren, Tay'Jon Cruickshank, Amalia Morrison, Gianni Christian, Sumayyah Cureton, Mustafah Atkins, Amia Hosey, Amber Hosey, Legacy Albert and Kali Christian remain his pride and joy. He is survived by his siblings Thomas Christian, Eunice Isaac, Emmanuel Christian and Lucille Ferguson, a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends. He spent his last year with his best friend of over forty years Donna Holland, with whom he shared love and many fond memories.

Albert had the Love and Salvation of Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and knew that God the Father would never leave him or forsake him.