Relatives, friends and well-wishers in Anguilla have paid their last respects to the late Fabian Augustine Bede Richardson. Among the various vicissitudes of his life, he served as the first Air Traffic Controller at what was then Wallblake Airport. Over the years his name was virtually a household one on the island.
Originally a resident at George Hill, and a member of a well-known family, Bede, as he was generally called by his middle name, was born on May 28, 1941. He departed this life on October 21, 2016, in the United States where he had been receiving treatment. A Service of Thanksgiving was held at St. Mary’s Parish Church on Friday, November 25. The officiating clergy were the Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks and Rev. Menes Hodge.
A family friend, Palmavon Webster, and an Attorney-at-Law and Opposition Leader in the 
Anguilla House of Assembly, delivered the eulogy. She spoke about his outgoing personality, love of life, laughter, caring friendship, other characteristics, and provided some biographical information. Following his secondary education, Bede spent considerable time residing and working outside Anguilla. This included seven years in England and ten years in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
On his return to Anguilla he was sent to Tr inidad on an Air Traffic Controller’s cou
rse. Back home, he served at Wallblake Airport from 1974 until his retirement in 1992. In the years that followed he busied himself with various pleasurable chores including his love for restoring vehicles and furniture, and his involvement in various social and communal activities.
Ms. Webster related that in 2009 he became ill and, after travelling to the Dominican Republic and Cuba seeking assistance, he eventually took up residence in the United States in March 2013. There, he continued his medical treatment until he passed away.
The memorial service was preceded by a brief period of tributes involving family and friends. That period was led by Mrs. Janice Hodge who was among those having fond memories of his life. They included members of the Lions Club in which Bede was one of the first affiliates of that community organisation.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Freda Richardson (who bore the urn with his ashes in and out of the church), children, a number of siblings and other close family members to whom The Anguillian offers its condolences.
