His well-written and all-encompassing eulogy, printed in the elaborate Funeral Brochure, said it all at the mass National Funeral held for him at the Church of God (Holiness) on the Queen Elizabeth Avenue in Anguilla on Sunday, March 22.
One paragraph of that eulogy stated of the late Oliver Lionel Gumbs, popularly known as “Father” and “Shaft”: “Mr Gumbs is regarded as one of Anguilla’s greatest heroes because of the incredible impact that he had on the island and his unique appeal. He was a Stalwart Freedom Fighter who travelled to St. Kitts in an attempt to overthrow the St. Kitts Government during the 1967 Anguillian Revolution. He was a fearless man when it came to standing up for what he believed in. Oliver received many accolades in his lifetime, but the most prominent award was the Certificate of Honour bestowed upon him by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll in 2007, in recognition of his efforts and active involvement in the revolution that led to the separation of Anguilla from St. Kitts in 1980.”
At the same time, at the Official Parade for Anguilla Day 2007, Mr Gumbs was also presented with a Medal of Honour by the then Chief Minister of Anguilla, Mr Osbourne Fleming.
The National Funeral was accorded to Mr Gumbs by the Government of Anguilla, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of its policy to officially recognise deserving freedom fighters of the Anguilla Revolution. Accordingly, flags were flown at half-mast; there was a Royal Anguilla Police Guard of Honour and Parade at the funeral, accompanied by the Police/Community Band; his casket, draped with the National Flag of Anguilla, was borne inside and outside the church by a police contingent; and there was a gun salute, of three rounds, at the graveside at the Sandy Hill Cemetery where he was laid to rest.
A large crowd, from throughout Anguilla, and from St Thomas, where Mr Gumbs, also called “the Revolutionist”, lived over the years, attended the National Funeral. The programme included glowing tributes by a number of family members and friends, in song, word and music. Ministers of Government, the Opposition, and other officials, were among the gathering paying last respects to the departed freedom fighter. Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Jerome Roberts, spoke on behalf of the Government and Mr Victor Banks, Leader of the Anguilla United Front, delivered the eulogy.
The service, in celebration of the life of Mr. Gumbs, was conducted mainly by Minister Connie Brooks and there were pastoral remarks by Pastor Philip Gumbs.
The National Funeral was facilitated by Two Sons Funeral Home at North Hill, whose Owner and Director is Mr. Allister Richardson. Oliver Lionel Gumbs, known for his admirable and stylist attire and matching trappings, largely appeared in that manner in his casket, attracting much attention as many filed past for their final goodbye.
