His story
A life remembered.
A prince from Ejigbo
Ben Adebisi Oyekunle was born on May 1, 1952 in Ejigbo, Osun State, Nigeria — a prince of Ika-Orangun, where his father, Oba Abraham Iwaloye Oyekunle, reigned as the traditional ruler. A proud Yoruba man, Ben completed his schooling in Ghana, always top of his class, before making his life in the United States.
Education and career
In 1972 Ben secured a scholarship to MIT, graduating with distinctions in Electrical Engineering and Management. He went on to earn an MS in Computer Software Engineering from Columbia University. Ben built an illustrious career across financial services, telecommunications, and technology consulting. In the latter years of his career, he turned his focus to education — completing a Master's in Teaching and teaching math in Worcester Public Schools. He retired in 2023 to focus on his family and faith.
Faith, family, and the things he loved
Alongside his wife, Pastor Bukola T. Oyekunle, Ben co-founded Cross of Light Ministry in Worcester in 2005 and was ordained as a Pastor in 2010. He founded the Bethel Bible Institute, educating the community on the Word of God. He loved the Celtics, tennis, Arsenal, Jeopardy, and 60 Minutes. His taste in music ran wide — from gospel to Kenny Rogers, Bob Marley, and Herbie Hancock.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, his children Remi, Yomi, Funmi, Ronke, and Deji, his grandchildren Reina and Micah, and a wide community who will miss him deeply. A warrior who triumphed over many odds, Ben ultimately passed in peace — a gift, his family believes, from God.