Sebastiao De Oliveira Jr

Sebastiao de Oliveira, Jr., a Viet Nam war veteran and dutiful follower of Christ, was called to his rest on the morning of Wednesday, September 26, 2012. He was sixty-two years of age.A native of Brazil and long-term permanent resident of the United States, he made his home at 1 Bartlett Court in Newport, Rhode Island.Known to his friends and associates as Sebastian, he was born Sebastiao de Oliveira Filho on October 31, 1949, in Bella Horizontes, Brazil to his his mother Maria Mercedes de Oliveira, a singer,dancer/ entertainer and costumer and his father Sebastiao Albino de Oliveira, Sr., a telegrapher, circus owner, real estate investor and Christian pastor. Baptized Roman Catholic, Sebastian was the eldest of seven children. At the age of four, Sebastian learned early discipline by climbing to the top of the performance tent. His father referred to him as a little drop of gold,' balancing himself on his father's outstretched palm. Sebastian grew into the roles of gymnast/acrobat, forward-backward contortionist, performed clowning, juggling, magic, ballet, entertainment telepathy and hosted as show announcer. With younger Augusto, "Yogi," his brother acrobat, his sister Margracy, a child of the highwire and their parents, the troupe toured Brazil as Los Albino.Sebastian and his family held the rapt attention of Brazilian audiences until 1964, when Los Albino received invitation to audition for the Ed Sullivan Show in New York City. With Margracy remaining home with Maria and the younger children in Brazil, the troupe was abbreviated to a performing trio for the trip to NY. Following their audition, which coincided on the evening of the Beatles debut in America, "Los Albino" began finding their way throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic states seeking a foothold for the family in America. Sebastian, Augusto and their father worked, schooled and toured independently at Portuguese-American clubs throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.By 1969, the three had raised sufficient funds to bring Maria and his other siblings to America. It was sensitive timing with a kiss and rushed embrace that his mother arrived on the steps of her new home in the Bronx as her son was stepping out to meet his military orders.Sebastian attended James Munroe High School in Bronx, New York, excelling in swim, dive, soccer and handball teams. Following high school, Sebastian studied linguistics at the Berlitz Language School in NYC, where he became proficient in French, Italian and Spanish. With his native Brazilian Portuguese and English, Sebastian spoke and sang in five languages. While studying and interning as a student/ instructor and interpreter, he was called to military service in Vietnam, where he also gained a working command of Vietnamese. Inducted into the United States Army on June 16, 1969, Sebastian completed Pioneer training and served in Vietnam with the 169th Engineer's Battalion through December 21, 1970, stepping into his family home for a joyful reunion on Christmas Day. Transferring to the US Army Reserves based in Fort Lewis, Washington, he extended his military service as a reservist and received an honorable discharge on June 15, 1975. PFC de Oliveira earned several decorations and medals including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, an O/S bar and was authorized as an M-14 marksman.Following the war, Sebastian found love with his former wife and fathered the precious lights of his life, his daughter, Gwendolyn and son, Jonathan. Upon relocating from New York to Las Vegas, Nevada, Sebastian worked as personal assistant, caretaker/landscaper for Sebastian Myers Realty. Commuting between Las Vegas and Australia, he also managed operations of the Myers cattle ranch, directing work crews herding beef cattle on horseback and motorcycle. Sebastian returned to the Las Vegas full-time upon the incapacitation of his employer, and stretched himself in varied directions. He taught dance for the Arthur Murray Dance Studio and the Alvin Alley Dance Troupe, offered services of boat fiberglass repair, landscaping, brickwork, commercial and residential improvement. Settling in Newport, Rhode Island several years ago, Sebastian became a RI licensed general contractor, most recently operating Sebastian's Contracting, a sole proprietorship. Retiring in 2010, Sebastian volunteered much of his time and gifts of language as a private translator and interpreter for many friends and associates, and helped neighbors whenever he saw an opportunity. Helping out and assisting those in need came as a spontaneous instinct for Sebastian and this grace shone early. It is a touching family memory that as an eight year old, he began volunteering as a child pallbearer for funerals at his home church in Brazil, and encouraged his brother Augusto to do this also. He is loved for his efforts and deeply appreciated by many friends, neighbors and war veterans to whom he offered his time and generosity. Helping veterans was especially important to Sebastian and he often referred to it as his ministry.An enthusiastic singer/dancer/entertainer, Sebastian loved to play piano, handmade flutes and all types of percussion instruments, often springing up for karaoke or joining in with musical ensembles at various venues in Newport. Most often, his first song would be Brooks and Dunn's 'Neon Moon,' invariably followed by Neil Diamond's 'My Way' and 'Coming to America.' Sebastian's charisma, deep baritone warmth and the memory of his intonation will continue to fill the hearts of many. He also enjoyed racecars, cooking, dominoes, the art of Berta Hummel and Renoir and his most recent favorite book he had been reading and sharing is "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." Sebastian loved being surrounded by people and encouraged them to smile, laugh, sing and dance, but foremost above all, Sebastian cherishes his two children and treasures his family. It was a great joy and an amazing surprise for him to be reunited with several siblings, a brother-in-law, a niece and a grandniece at a spontaneous family reunion at his home in August. Altogether, Sebastian in spirit prays for and watches over his daughter, Gwendolyn de Oliveira Mentzel, his four grandchildren, Destiny, Gypsy , Gage and Legend of Las Vegas, Nevada and his son Jonathan de Oliveira, also of Las Vegas; his sister Margracy "Gracy" and her husband Rolando Zapata, his niece Shiloh and nephew Isaac of Miramar, FL; his brother Augusto "Yogi" de Oliveira and wife Marcia, his nephew Augusto Jr. and his niece Raquel of Manhattan, New York; his sister Luziana "Lulu" de Oliveira and her children, Emilie Ann Esposito, grandniece Sophia and nephews Carlo and Mohamed of Bella Horizontes, Brazil; his sister Osminda "Mindy" de Oliveira of Manhattan, New York; his sister Belinda de Oliveira Weiss, her children Timothy, Lauren and Danielle Wheeler and Eric Weiss of New Milford, New Jersey; his brother David de Oliveira and his wife Jodie, his nieces Rebecca, Melissa, and Isabella of Brooklyn, New York; and his father Sebastiao Albino de Oliveira, Sr. who resides in Minas Gerais, Brazil.On a family trip, Sebastian's ashes will be carried by family members to Brazil and interred with his beautiful mother, Maria Mercedes de Oliveira who is laid to her rest in Bella Horizontes. He also watches over and prays for an extended family of many aunts, uncles and cousins in Brazil and his many friends in the Newport area and around the world. His lively, courageous and free spirit will live eternally in all who knew him, and for all who love him, Sebastian leaves 'a little drop of gold' forever in their hearts.A family service was held for Sebastian and his family on Monday, October 1 at Memorial Funeral Home on Broadway in Newport.Kind words of spiritual hope and encouragement toward prayer were shared by Deacon James Dunbar of Jesus Saviour Church in Newport. Daughter Gwendolyn conducted the remainder of the service in which many family members shared, prayed, read poetry and sang. Music of Kenny G and OLA played intermittently and Sebastian was softly lullabied by his nieces in Hebrew prayer.Sebastian will remembered on his birthday with prayer at Daily Mass at St. Joseph's Church on Broadway in Newport on October 31, 2012 at 12:05 pm. All are welcome and family members are invited to bring up the altar gifts.Condolences may be sent to the Family of Seb, c/o Canoll, 12 Lincoln Street, Newport, RI 02840. In the spirit of his ministry, flowers sent in Sebastian's loving and living memory will be welcomed at the RI Veteran's Home, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809, and/or gifts to the American Heart Association are encouraged.