Rehuel Alameda Jr.

Rehuel Alameda Jr., who was known to all as Ray, was born on April 12, 1954 to Fannie Rodriguez and Rehuel Alameda Sr. in Manhattan, NY and passed away on July 7, 2021 in Greensboro, NC. He was the oldest of 10 children, 5 brothers, George Alameda, Jose Alameda, Pedro Alameda, Emanuel Alameda, and David Alameda, and 4 sisters, Flora Ayala, Maria Alameda, Ana Capers and Mikki Pace. He spent his early years in Bayshore, Long Island, New York and then, later, his family relocated to Philadelphia. There, he met the love of his life, Elena Villafane, who he later married and had 3 children, Delia Alameda, Sarah Alameda and Joseph Alameda. He also had 4 grandchildren, Pedro Roldan, Anthony Roldan, Mercedes Rodriguez, and Hakim Robinson.

Ray was a gymnast in high school who specialized in the rings and was being considered for the Olympic team. He instead opted to join the Marines, where he received a medal of recognition as a sharpshooter. After being honorably discharged, he continued to build a life with Elena and his children, whom he loved very dearly.

He worked various jobs throughout his lifetime, each one offering new skills to acquire or knowledge he could use, and he rose to the challenge of each one happily. He worked in the horse stables in Philadelphia where he loved tending to the majestic beasts. He learned construction by working on various building projects there as well, many of which are still standing, sought after and still in use. He put many of those skills to use when he worked at the Philadelphia Civic Center setting up for events and shows that brought joy to the attraction goers for years.

But his biggest passion was for cars as a mechanic. He could just listen to a car and tell you not just everything that was wrong with it, but fix it for you too. And when he couldn't work on cars anymore, he built models and collected them. Ray loved cooking and even attended cooking school to better hone his skills, coming home with tasty treats for his family and happily sharing his newly acquired knowledge with them, enjoying the smiles it brought to their faces. It was the combination of these things that allowed him to help anyone in need, which he always tried to do, proud that he could be of help to others.

Ray loved to fish. He had a passion for all kinds of music and film and had a movie catalog that would rival most video providers that you better make sure you returned or you’d never get another. He loved Bruce Lee and taught himself how to use nunchucks to a pro level. He loved stargazing and enjoyed the night sky.

He had a great sense of humor, a perfectly sarcastic personality, and a passion for life that few could match. He always found ways to lighten harsh situations and bring back the happiness to the room. And although he loved to instigate something just to ‘stir the pot’, it was always just to get a good laugh in with everyone. Traits he managed to instill in his children and grandchildren.

He loved spending time with his family and friends and was loved dearly by them. He will be truly missed.

Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services of Greensboro is assisting the family during this time.