Feb 25 2003: Fred Prescod writes: It is customary for us to report the death of persons who are well known in our community; but, in so doing, we tend to omit and ignore
those who were not so celebrated, but nevertheless well known. I'm sure it might interest you to note that "Mother Bakes" (Ernest Hamlett). died early this morning at the Kingstown General Hospital. Mother Bakes will best be remembered for his jumping-up in front of the Police Band and in front of the Salvation Army. Wherever there was music on the street Mother Bakes was up front. He was indeed a national character in his own right. Farewell "Mother Bakes"
October 25, 2004 4:47 AM
Fr Ulric Jones writes:
News has reached me of the death of Louise Plato, formerly of Calliaqua and sister of "Miss Goodie" and aunt of Bingsby, Monty, Jean & Peggy, who died on September 1st , which occured on Friday, October 22nd in Brooklyn. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 29th at St. Mark's Episcopal/Anglican Church at Brooklyn Ave & Union Street off Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn at 7:00 p.m.
William "Uncle Rob," "Willie" Robinson, my cousin, of Glen and formerly of Rathomill died in SVG on Saturday, October 23rd. Funeral Service at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Calliaqua on Saturday, October 30th.
Phoebe Peters (Miss Chrish's) daughter formerly of Calliaqua died in NY on Saturday, October 23rd. Funeral Service takes place on Thursday, October 28th at House of Hills Funeral Home at Brooklyn Ave. & St. John's Place, Brooklyn. Burial on Friday, 29th in NJ.
We pray for the repose of their souls. Again, they have gone on before us.
Hope to see some of you at the two NY services and especially at Phoebe's. Hello Villagers!
We extend our deepest and prayerful condolences to the bereaved families.
Yours in HIS service.
Nov 12th 2004: Cheryl King writes: Hi Folks, It is with deep sympathy that I pass on two messages from June (Isaacs) Mascoll and Elsa (Stephens) Jones re the passing of Michael Odlum and Henry Williams (see below) Thanks, June & Elsa.
June, please accept and pass on our sympathy to the Isaacs and Odlum families and especially to Charmaine (Isaacs) Odlum & family. May his soul rest in peace. Many of us remember him as one our our Rectors at St.Paul's, Calliaqua during the sixties and of, course, he married our very own Charmaine Isaacs of Ratho-Mill. We keep you all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Cheryl & Erlene please accept and pass on our sympathy to the Williams family and especially to your Mum . Henry was a true Vincentian patriot who will be remembered amongst other things for his many contributions to SVG. May his soul rest in peace. We keep you all in our thoughts and minds at this sad time.
Feb 15th 2005: Cheryl king forwards the following:
From: The Toronto Star
Classifieds > DEATHS Classifieds > DEATHS
CUMBERBATCH, Volney (Vic) - (Long time employee of DeHavilland Downsview) Formerly of (Calliaqua) St. Vincent, West Indies. Peacefully at Etobicoke General Hospital on Sunday, February 13, 2005 after a 3 year battle with leukemia, in his 59th year. Beloved husband of Annette. Dear father of Jessica and Leanne. Cherished son of Marie. Loving brother to Noel, Gloria (Gord), Trevor (Luana), Beverly (Horst) and Cheryl (John). Brother-in- law to Keith (Pat), Glenda (Brian), Judy (Sid), Neil (Val) and Ian. Vic will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home, 2035 Weston Rd. (north of Lawrence Ave.), Weston, from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday and 2-4 and 7-9p.m. on Thursday. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. from All Saints Church, 1415 Royal York Rd. Interment Riverside Cemetery. In Vic's memory, flowers accepted or donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to volney.cumberbatch@wardfh.com
Date Posted: 2005-02-15
Ercelle Cummings passed on Feb 24th 2005 and her funeral was March 1st 2005. in St.Vincent.
:
12 March 2005: Eloise Phills:
Hello Everyone,
Thank you very much for your uplifting sentiments, kind thoughts and support. My Mom was laid to rest on Saturday 3/19/05. The Viewing on Friday and the Funeral Service on Saturday were well presented and well attended. Her memories will always be with us.
Regards to all.
Celebrant: The Rev. Audrey Bailey, Guest Preacher: The Rev. E. Ulric Commissiong-Jones
Organist: Mr. E. James Reid
Order of Service
ORGAN PRELUDE
RECEPTION OF THE BODY................ Pg. 466
THE OPENING SENTENCES.............. Pg. 491
INTROIT HYMN.............. "How Great Thou Art"#60*
THE COLLECT....................................... Pg. 493
Claristine Eloise Aroer Phills, nee Walker, fondly called "Moths" by her grandchildren and "Doll" and "Aunt Elo" by her many nieces and nephews, was the ninth of eleven children of James Henry and Millicent Valeria (Drayton) Walker. She was born on February 4, 1916, on the Island of St Vincent, and received her elementary education at the Belair Anglican School, under the Headmastership of her father. She was a teacher at the Belair Anglican School and Postmistress at the Calliaqua Post Office. She married Charles Rupert Phills on August 12, 1942 and this union produced five children, namely, Arthur, Cheryl, Vincent, Asquith, and Hazeldene. Following the death of her beloved husband, Charles Rupert Phills on September 4, 1954, Eloise worked at the Banana Growers Association in St. Vincent. She was active in her community at St. Paul's Church in Calliaqua as a choir member and a member of the Mothers Union Guild. She was also a Girl Guide in her youth and was a member of the Mechanics Lodge as an adult. On February 27, 1960 she immigrated to the U.S.A. In her pursuit of higher education, she graduated from Monroe Business Institute in New York, and worked for the New York City Retirement System for 28 years. She was a member of the congregation at St.Luke's Episcopal Church in the Bronx where she was a member of the Daughters of the King.
Eloise gave generously of herself and expected nothing in return. Her spirit of generosity transcended the confines of family boundaries and touched the lives of many who came to know her. Entertaining was a way of life for her and she welcomed all with open arms. Her home was a home to all. However, it was the love of family that ignited the fiber of her being and stirred the passion of her soul. Throughout her life, she remained keenly involved in all of the activities of her children and grandchildren in whom she instilled the value of education and religion. Fellowship and bonding were of paramount importance to her.
Eloise was an extremely unselfish person who cared more for others than she cared for herself. She is best characterized for her outpouring of love and affection for all. She has lived a good life, filled with love, not just for her children, but for her extended family and friends. She will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, a contagious smile, pleasant demeanor and forgiving nature. She was devoted to her God, her family and her friends. These qualities have been the hallmark of her life. The positive legacy she has left is reflected in the many messages of condolence received by her family. She is now resting peacefully. Her spirit will live on in our hearts and minds. She was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. How blessed we all are to have experienced her love in our lives.
Left to mourn are her children Artie and wife Sylvanie, Cheryl and husband Dr. Baldwin King, Vincent and wife Val, Asquith and wife Christine and Hazeldene and husband Wendell Hercules. Grandchildren include Reisha and Daryl Phills, Bryan, Dr. Cherene and Debra King, Janel and Jonathan Phills, Cameron and Adrian Phills, Michelle, Nicole and Colin Hercules, Nakia Eldridge, Charelle Sanford and Johanna James. Also left to mourn are sister Edna Dougan and sister-in-law Sarah Stephens in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, sister-in-law Leila Walker in New York. Also Carmen Phills, Marcia, Colville, Rochelle, Alicia and Shayne Richards, Andre, Carol, Andrea and Anthony Lewis, and Jennifer and Kevin Brown, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.
Acknowledgement
The family of Eloise Phills would like to thank everyone who sympathized with them at this sad time.
We pray thee, O Lord, that thou wilt keep in thy tender love this life that we hold in blessed memory. Help us, who continue here, to serve thee with constancy, trusting in the promises of eternal life; that hereafter we may be united with thy blessed children in the glory of thy Presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Artie Phills
Alvin Leroy Commissiong, 71
Alvin Leroy Commissiong, 71, of Citrus Springs, died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005, at the Brentwood Health Care Center in Lecanto. He was born to Leseline and Eustan Commissiong on March 6, 1934, in St Vincent, West Indies.
After finishing high school in St Vincent, he became a primary school teacher. Leaving the school system, he became an immigration officer in Kingston, later becoming a commissioned police officer in Owia, West Indies.
He was a political activist, a member of the St. Vincent Police Force Choir and also a self-employed import-export businessman.
After leaving the West Indies, he came to Brooklyn, N.Y., and then to Boston, Mass. He moved to Florida from Boston, where he started his own business, The Package People, in Silver Springs Shores.
Mr. Commissiong was an active member of the Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Citrus Springs, the Lions Club in Ocala and he was on the board of directors of Munroe Regional Medical Center.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Milton Commissiong.
Survivors include his wife, Mehernim McLean; the mother of his children, Eurina Commissiong of Westbury, N.Y., four children, Maureen LaVern Commissiong and Lennox Commissiong, both of Westbury, N.Y., Ewart A. Commissiong of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Sharon N. Commissiong of New Hyde Park, N.Y.; three brothers, Bertram Commissiong and Samuel Commissiong, both of Kingston, St. Vincent, West Indies, and John Commissiong of Toronto, Canada; four sisters, Estelita Browne of Montclaire, N.J., Muriel Manners of North Arlington, N.J., Gertrude Byam of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Amy Samuel of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and six grandchildren.
Lois Athline Mitchell-Baynes (April 5th 1912 - August 18th 2005) was the mother of four children including James ' Son" Mitchell.James Mitchell's father died early on, then she married Mr, Baynes, a brother of Rudolph Baynes. He got a job in St.Lucia and the couple moved there to live. She returned to live in Bequia in retirement and died on 18th August, 2005.
Sept 3rd 2005:
Dougie Cambridge, born 1941, died 3rd Sept. 2005. attended SVGrammar school 1954-1960, Victor Ludorum in 1960, died of a heart attack.
Sept 3rd 2005
Mrs. Gwen Creese Mathis passed on this morning Sept. 3, 2005 in St. Vincent . Gwen was the sister of Leon, Jimmy, Vibert, Peggy, Dolly, Barbara & Val. We keep them all in our prayers at this sad time. May she rest in peace.
17 Sept 2005 - Miss Wilma Weekes
It is with much sadness that I inform of the passing of Miss Wilma Weekes of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (formerly of Mesopotamia, SVG). Wilma passed on at about 3:30 pm yesterday at the St Boniface Hospital. She is survived (here in Winnipeg) by sister Annette Williams (wife of Oliver "Bruno" Williams), brothers Alexis (Bros) and Vinford (Vin) Weekes and nieces and nephews. At the time of her passing, Wilma was a member of the Council of Caribbean Organisations of Manitoba (CCOM) and a Board member of Caripeg Carnival Committee of Winnipeg (Caripeg) and the Black History Month Celebration Committee (BHMCC). For many years, she served on executives of both the SVG Association of Winnipeg (SVGAW) and the National Council of SVG Associations in Canada (NCSVGAC).
Funeral Service will be held next Wednesday from 1 pm at the Pilgrim Baptist Church (Manitoba's oldest Black Church - founded in 1924) where Wilma was a member of the Choir and Church Board.
2nd Oct 2005
Mrs. Hermine DeFreitas of Richmond Hill died on Sunday 2nd October, aged 90 years.
The beloved mother of Patricia, Edmund, Yvette, Stanley, Marcus Elizabeth, Joy, Douglas and Suzanne. Devoted grandmother to 20 grandchildren and great grandmother to 8. A devoted sister to Helen Sayers, many nieces and nephews here in St.Vincent and the Grenadines and abroad. Mother-in-law to the late Eddie Griffith, Merma, Leroy, Jack, Sylvia, Natasha, Aftab in Trinidad, Dahlia and Bill in Canada. Caregiver Celia Jacobs, and many other relatives and friends. The Funeral Service will be on Monday 10th October, 2005 at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Kingstown at 3:00p.m.
3 Oct 2005
Toney, this gentleman deserves a mention on your obituary site. He was a popular character in his own right. Was famous for his one-man protest in his younger days.
MR DAVID DUDLEY ANDERSON better known as BANDYWAIST of Upper Edinboro died on Monday October 3rd at the age of 76. The funeral takes place on Tuesday 11th October at the St. Georges Cathedral, Kingstown at 4PM. Burial will be at the Kingstown cemetery.
One writer e-mails that "He was a popular character in his own right. Was famous for his one-man protest in his younger days".
17 Nov 2005
It is with regret we announce the death of Mr. Fred Phillips (not Sir Fred Phillips) who died on Thursday, November 17. Mr. Phillips served as President of the St.
Vincent and the Grenadines Association in 1975. He leaves to mourn numerous relatives and friends. Viewing and Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Viewing: Friday, November 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Paul O'Connor Funeral Home, 1939 Lawrence Avenue East at Pharmacy.
Funeral Service: Saturday, November 26 from 10:00 a.m. at Agincourt Pentecostal Church, 2885 Kennedy Road at Finch. Burial will be at Pine Hill Cememtery, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough.
30 Nov 2005: Aberdine "Freda" Browne (56) She had just returned from Africa where she was on a contract on behalf of the UN. The death was sudden: it was a heart attack. Glenroy Browne is her husband. The funeral took place on Saturday 26th November at the New Testament Church of God at Wilson Hill at 3PM. Burial was at the Kingstown cemetery.
29 December 2005
Joan Robertson (Clarke), formerly of Layou, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, loving younger sister to Dotsie Agard, suddenly passed away at the Scarborough General Hospital on Wednesday December 28, 2005 after a short illness. In addition to Dotsie and her daughter Patrice, also here in Toronto, Joan leaves her only precious child Mark and devoted husband Ottley Clarke, aunts, uncles, many relatives and friends.
Joan is resting at the Ogden Funeral Home, 4164 Sheppard Avenue East (at Midland Ave) (416-293-5211) where friends are invited to visit with the family on Monday January 02, 2006 from 5-9 p.m. The funeral service will take place at the Anglican Church of St. Luke's, located at 904 Coxwell Avenue (at Cosburn Ave) (416-421-6878) on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 at 11 a.m. followed by Internment at Pine Hills cemetery.
Should you wish to make a donation in Joan's memory, the family requests you do so to her parish church of St. Luke's, or to the charity of your choice.
re Eric Alexander.
Mar 21st 2006
News reached me tonight of the death of Mr. Eric Alexander. I called and spoke with his son Hendrick (The Hon. Speaker) who informed me that he died at about 6:45pm. Many of us remember him as our Sunday School Teacher at St. Paul's Church, Calliaqua. Others as the Organist at St. Paul's. Yet, others as a member of the Calliaqua Town Board, then Chairman of the Board. He was also a Justice of the Peace J.P., and a member of the Calliaqua Day Nursery in it's infancy. and I can go on.
On a personal note, he was a tower of strength to me in my early years of ministry in my first cure at St. Philip's, Mesopotamia, with SS Matthias & Joseph by assisting us at our Annual Harvest Festivals and other major Feasts when he prepared our parish choir and played the organ. I recall the days when with Miss Marie Prince, Fr. Huggins, Mrs. Mandeville, Iso. Pemberton, etc., they will organise "Tableaus" with live animals in the church at Christmas time and the likes of me participating. "Those were glory days"
Mr. Alexander was a man of great Faith in God and a dedicated Christian, who gave of himself for the building up of our community in Calliaqua and the church community of St. Pauls.
I wish to extend to his children, Marquita, Julian, and Hendrick and their families our sincerest condolences with the assurance of our prayers.
May He Rest in Peace.
There are yet no details of his funeral.
(Fr.) Ulric Jones & Family
April 3rd 2006
Dear Friends:
I returned to NY last evening after attending the Funeral Eucharist fon Wednesday, March 29th at St. Paul's Church Calliaqua for the late Eric Alexander.
The church was packed to everflowing with many standing outside and others taking a glimpse through the windows. The entire townsfolk of Calliaqua turned out to pay homage and respect to one who served our community in so many capacities. Also present were His Excellency the Governor-General and members of the SVG Cabinet.
There were five Clergy men officiating. Canon Huggins was the celebrant, Dean McIntosh received the body, Dean Ulric Smith read the Gospel, Fr. Skerrit assisted the celebrant, yours truly was the preacher. The rector, Archdeacon Regisford presided over the proceedings.
With regard to the tributes you sent to me they were read by our own Joel Toney and passed on to the family. On their behalf I thank you for your kind sentiments.
May He Rest In Peace.
Ulric Jones
Mak Richards
Fr. Jones,
Like most of us who grew up in the greater Calliaqua area, I feel a great sense of loss at the passing of 'Tailor'. Whether it was through his music, Sunday school or his wizardry with a sewing machine, we were all somehow touched by this humble man. He was truly one of our treasures, and one more golden link with my childhood. My family and I extend heartfelt condolences to Hendrick, Marquita, Julian and their families.
27 April 2006: Douglas Grant (87) UK
It is the end of an era. My beloved husband Douglas Grant (or to give him his full name, Walter Douglas Haig Grant) died on 27 April 2006 here at his home in the UK at the age of 87. His funeral ceremony featured an SVG flag amongst the flowers on his coffin, a cricket bat and West Indian hat and we played calypso (Victory Test Match) and had a poem read by Doug's great niece Laura Brisbane-Settle about St Vincent called Island in the Sun by Erica Standen.
He was the last of Walter McGregor Grant's children - having a half brother, Gregor, brother Alex Grant, and sisters Dorothy Date, Nora Peacocke and Freda Allen.
Tony Durrant reminded me to tell you of this so that you can post it on your website. You will remember the picture of the sea scouts that I sent you?
Kind regards,
Hilary Blumer (Mrs Douglas Grant)
31 May 2006 - Martina Gonsalves:
From Patsy Hadley Corea: She died on May 31, 2006 and was buried June, 3 2006 in Toronto. I thought I would also mention that the charity she supported was the St. Benedict's Children's Hospital and Day Nursery in Georgetown, St. Vincent. In lieu of flowers donations were collected for the much needed renovations of this building. Any one wanting to remember her in this way can contact Ceszie de Freitas at Layne's in St. Vincent [lvdefreitas@edlayne.com]
From Joan Gonsalves:
Dear Tony
I am not sure if you are aware of the death of Martina (Marty) Gonsalves formerly of Paul Over but lived with her daughter Patsy Hadley-Corea for the past 24 years in Canada. She was very involved with her community in Scarborough. She is also my aunt and aunt of PM of SVG (Sister of our father Alban (Smiles) Gonsalves) Should you require further details you may contact Patsy email patcorea@rogers.com
Mrs. Jacqueline Wynter (nee Antrobus) died peacefully at home in Kingston on June 16, 2006 after a long illness. She will be deeply missed by her three children Astrid, Brian and Colin and also by grandchildren Benjamin, Nicolas, Emma, Eva and Brian Jacques, daughters-in-law Sonia and Claire, sisters Shirley, Clare and Marcella and her extended family of friends in Jamaica and across the globe. The beautiful memories of her will always remain in our hearts - her happy, infectious personality, her wit, her character, and most importantly the manner in which she touched other people's lives and enhanced them with her own unselfish wisdom.
A service of thanksgiving and celebration of her life will be held at University of the West Indies Chapel on Saturday, July 1, 2006 at 3.30pm. Soft colours are welcome.
In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted for the Fund for Needy Students of the University of the West Indies. Brian Wynter 2006 June 21
