Rajeen Ali Cordwell, 51, of New Bedford, MA, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Rajeen attended public schools in New Bedford and received a Certificate of Completion in the Hotel and Hospitality Industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rajeen and his big brother Shawn were inseparable as children and continued their journey connected in the spirit of love. They traveled door-to-door for the Austin Diversified Marketing Company selling Miracle cleaning products domestically and abroad to the Bahamas.
Rajeen’s infectious smile reverberated in any room he entered, exuding energy and light. As called by many, “My Ra” was an avid reader of hundreds of books written mostly by revolutionary authors and game changers. His passion for the visual fine arts filled his heart with creativity. As a baby, Rajeen was very perceptive and sharp-witted. He could talk at two years old and have conversations that revealed his creativity and joy as a youth. Ra was full of surprises and equally mischievous as his curiosity always kept his mother laughing and guessing. As a brother, the love and trust shared between Rajeen and his big brother Shawn was unyielding. Although Rajeen was a nagging baby brother and asked Shawn, and all of us, too many questions to number, that bond between them was unbreakable. Their relationship and love created space for two special brothers Eric and Larry Gelmete, who entered their lives as young boys and those four brothers were bonded for life.
As a father, Rajeen knew that passing on the legacy of being raised by a strong and determined mother would be the best presents he could give to his children when he couldn’t physically be with them, and he did that because he loved them all.
Rajeen is preceded in death by his big brother Shawn “Big Sexy” Cordwell. He is survived by his parents R. Carleen Cordwell of New Bedford and Oak Bluffs, MA and Theodore Offley of New Bedford, MA; his sisters, Valerie Cabral, Ronette Barros, and Taryn Offley; his brothers, Dana Dias, Spencer Barros, and Michael Medeiros; his children, Jahyda Cardona, Cade Cordwell, and Jonathan White; and grandson Jah’syir Cardona. He also leaves his maternal aunts, Leslie Ferreira, Elaine Almeida, Terry Marks, and Sharon Andrade; his uncle, Tiny Tavares; several extended aunties; the mothers of “The Village”; many nieces and nephews; his extended family; and his friends to cherish his memory.
His memorial visitation and service will be held on Wednesday July 5th from 1-3 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.