In Memory of

Isaiah

Oyedijo

Obituary for Isaiah Oyedijo

In the early hours of Jan 16th 2018, a pillar of the Brooklyn Nigerian community, Isaiah Adebisi Olayemi Oyedijo passed from this world after a brief illness, to rest in anticipation of Christ’s return.
Elder Oyedijo was born September, 26th 1938 in Inisha, Nigeria to his parents Marian Towobola Oyedijo (Oyagberi) and James Olubaji Oyedijo who preceded him in death. Isaiah attended Methodist School, Modern School, and Seven Day Adventist Nursing School in Ile-Ife. He married Elizabeth Olayemi Oyedijo (Tugiybele) October 4th, 1968.
In 1969 Elder Oyedijo left his beloved Nigeria to immigrate to New York City. In 1971, his small family followed him. Always an achiever, he furthered his education pursuing a second degree in Pharmacy through Brooklyn College of Pharmacy located on Lafayette Ave in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. He went to school during the day and worked as a Nurse nights. In 1977, Isaiah graduated from Long Island College of Pharmacy. He completed his working career as a Nursing Administrator, He was affectionately referred to as “Mr. O” by his colleagues at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.It takes courage, determination, dedication and a strong will to pursue the American Dream. Elder Oyedijo was a role model for so many younger Nigerian Pharmacy Students of his time. His will to succeed is worthy of emulation.
Elder Oyedijo worked tirelessly to build his life in the United States but never forgot his family in Nigeria. He continued to support numerous relatives and loved ones abroad to his dying days. He also built several homes in Nigeria for his hoped for eventual return.
Elder Oyedijo was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2002. With the help of a nephew he was referred and treated successfully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He beat that disease to the glory of God and went on to enjoy the next decade and a half.
Of all Elder Oyedijo’s many achievements in this country the one that brought him greatest joy and pride was being one of the founding member of Calvary Seventh Day Adventist church in Brooklyn, NY a place where he found community with fellow ex-pat Nigerian Americans.
Elder Oyedijo is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth, his sons, his daughters, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and many grandchildren. He is also survived by the many relatives, family friends, community members who in the Nigerian custom knew him as Daddy, Uncle, and Elder.
Elder Oyedijo’s US services will be held 10 am the first of February 8th, 2018 at McManus Funeral Home in Mill Basin. It will be followed by light snacks of traditional Nigerian foods and a time to reminisce with each other. His final burial will be in Nigeria, as his lifelong wish to return to the country of his birth, March 22nd, 2018.
The family would like to specifically thank those who visited Isaiah during his final days -- those who drove, or flew, or dropped their plans to come from Canada, New Jersey, Texas, Pennsylvania and Manhattan just to see him. This was a great comfort to him in his final days. It’s a testament to how much he was loved and respected that there are too many people to thank individually in this space. We do want to acknowledge our cousins Bisi, Aderemi, and Femi who rarely left his bedside or the hospital in those final days. We also wish to acknowledge the staff of Downstate Hospital who helped care for him, especially Drs. Joseph Osho, Miguel Ramirez, Aaliya Burza, and Harjinder Gill whose patience and kindness during those final days gave the family great comfort.
We welcome charitable donations in his name to his church in Inisha, Nigeria through the Isaiah Oyedijo Memory Fund set up through Calvary Church, details available on his remembrance page.
Daddy, we will miss you and we will never forget you.
Sun re o.