The late Mr. Leslie Vernon Richardson, of Long Bay, Anguilla, was one of the island’s most patriotic citizens and his memory will continue to be etched on the minds, and even lives, of many for a long time.
He departed this world on March 1, 2019. The Thanksgiving Celebration for his life was held at the Immanuel Methodist Church on April 5. Those who officiated at the well-attended service were the Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Rev. Dunstan Richardson, Rev. Wilmoth Hodge and Canon Curtis Robinson. The organists were Mr. Vernon Gumbs and Mr. Percival “Roy” Romney.
Here, in this Formal Remembrance, his daughter, Ms. Marva Richardson, a Human Resource Assistant at the Anguilla Electricity Company, presented a picture of him that nobody else, but her, can accurately paint and describe:
I stand here before you with pride to present the formal remembrance of Leslie Vernon Richardson. Today is about him – A life well loved is a life well lived.
Leslie Vernon Richardson was born in San Nicolas, Aruba, on 18th November 1947 to the late Alma ‘Elma’ Richardson nee Hodge and the late Frederick Richardson. He was the eighth child of Fred and lucky number 7 for Elma.
At a tender age, Vernon moved from ‘One Happy Island’ to the beautiful Rainbow City, Anguilla, giving him the opportunity to connect with more of his family members, planting seeds of love and creating bonds that he would continue to cherish for the rest of his life.
Now, fast forward to one of his next big trips – St. Lucia. Picture it, the early 70s: afros, afro sheen and bell bottoms, can you dig it? A contingent from Anguilla out to perfect their teaching capabilities. Living and learning, the group made their home away from home in Peart’s Gap, the very same address of one Marcel Haynes…Mmmhmm… Leslie V. always abided by the laws of the land, his religion and the curriculum for his education but somewhere along the line he realized that he wanted to participate in the extra-curricular activities that he was missing out on, respectfully of course! That was the beginning of one hell of a cat and mouse game.
Let me interject here and share this…about 1 year ago, Daddy asked me “You ever hear your mother complain about her arm hurting? You know why? There was a time in St. Lucia when she put up her hand and hailed me but when she realised it was me, she jerked down her hand so fast. Ever since then her hand been hurting her my dear.” Mommy overheard this exchange, sucked her teeth and asked “I had know it was you?”. Daddy said “I know you thought you were hailing Mouse!” She admitted from a distance she thought it was Darwin ‘Mouse’ Hazell and exclaimed “I would quicker speak to Mouse than I would speak to you yes!!” Daddy just looked at me shaking his head making it seem like he was about to cry and said “Her arm never stopped hurting her since.”.
After 13 years of mostly a platonic friendship, Ms. Haynes succumbed to the dashing Anguillian boy with the charm and wit & became Mrs. Richardson. The two wedded on 5th May 1984 in St. Lucia and then travelled to Anguilla which was sight unseen for the new bride… okay, go ahead and call her crazy if you want at this point…is that what love does to people? Every time I brought that up, both of them would just look at each other, grin and express absolutely no regrets.
Since then, Grub was able to attain the position of Director of the Agriculture & Fisheries Department here in Anguilla, never leaving teaching behind. Mr. Richardson earned the respect of many for his knowledge, his understanding, his coolness still with a no-nonsense attitude & his giving spirit. Under his leadership, farmers and interested parties were able to get their slips, plants, produce, livestock, you name it. His rapport with his staff was ideal. They can tell you, Mr. Richardson was a boss but not bossy! An extremely important quality not managed by many.
Of course no good deed goes unpunished. He faced many conflicts and interfaced with people who sought to bring him down for doing what was right or speaking out against what was wrong. But enemies and back biters never deterred him from doing what was best.
Likewise, Leslie V. was a man, not too big to apologise when he was wrong or even to do it just to keep the peace. Perfect example: when I went home to tell my father how I was verbally accosted by a young lady he taught in school, I told him how I was told they could see that I really who I for, even worse when she found out that Elvet Hughes was one of my godfathers. When I gave my father the scoop on how this lady felt ill-treated, my father gave me a big smile and told me to tell Laurel for him that he was truly sorry for whatever she thought he had done to her and explain how he marked his students hard because he loved them, how he was sure that she could attribute her being a great worker to some of his teaching and how he asked for forgiveness to which the reply was “He wait too long to love me, should’ve given me my pass marks, should’ve given me my pass marks!”…ey, nuttin sweet Daddy so…he laughed a good laugh on that one.
Though he had many laughs & jokes to share, something more serious entered his life- the big C. Leslie V. Richardson was stricken with colon cancer, the diagnosis happened in 2013. If you didn’t know before, you definitely knew it then that the man was a man of faith!!! He knew despite the circumstances and come what may, the Lord had a plan. He and his caretaker (by default and by choice) began trips to Puerto Rico for chemotherapy after his initial surgery here. It was so frequent, they felt like they were Puerto Rico locals just because they could say hello in Spanish. (Daddy wouldn’t even say it properly, he liked to pronounce the ‘H’ and tell me Hola).
He was strong, never letting on to his pain which had everyone astounded when he used his signature phrase ‘I cannot complain’.
As he battled the big C, it was amazing at how the roles reversed – the parent became the child and vice versa. I can recall vividly a scene from last year when my parents attended a party in Katouche. I was fighting sleep and short of wearing a frock, some curlers with a headtie and bedroom slippers. I was sitting on the couch when they got in in the wee hours of the morning loud with all smiles. I was like ‘do you know what time it is? Where have you been? Your phones don’t work? You couldn’t call and say you alright at least? I almost drove down there to look for you’. Mr. Man raised one arm in the air and placed the other on his chest and exclaimed “But Mommy I got to dance with my guitar again!”, a term he often used when referencing his wife because of her shape and then both of them started gyrating the best they could. I must say, despite sleep deprivation and illness, it truly was a joy to see my parents in their element as a couple, taking on life together one day at a time. Thank you again Mommy for your unwavering love and care for your husband. You are a prime example of what a good wife should be, don’t let anybody tell you different! Your vows were never, I repeat, never, taken lightly and for that you must be commended, may God continue to bless you.
In closing, Leslie Vernon Richardson’s long walk to freedom was not an easy road, there are many untold stories that can spread through hills and valleys but til I’m laid to rest, I can attest that it was his destiny to be a champion.
Take some of what he taught me intentionally or unintentionally: Be calm and cooly polite, be kind, never give up on God because He will never give up on you, you don’t have to make anyone look bad, they can do that for themselves-leave people to the Lord, everything in it’s own time, self-care is important- giving might be good but you can’t give if you’re not good, giving shouldn’t be one-sided, men get your checks- do it so that you can give your family the time that they deserve with you, parents love your children and husbands love your wives!
You’ve heard many tributes last night about how my father was a founding member of the Anguilla Farmers Association, the Anguilla Beautification Club, he was a founding member of the Mayoumba Folkloric Group otherwise known as Chorale Circle, he was a class leader and former circuit steward in the Methodist Church, he was a leader of the Boy’s Brigade and Life Boys, he was an advisor, a counsellor, a real good guy, he went around doing GOOD and he never boasted or bragged about it, he never looked for anything in return, he never even demanded the respect that was due to him. He was a humble fellow that you could depend on and a keeper of the peace. He could connect with anyone and everyone no matter what age, colour, class, political party or creed.
On 1st March 2019, the Lord called a beautiful spirit home. Thank you to everyone who was a part of his journey, for your love and respect, your continued support, most of you have really tried to mirror the kindness that my father has put out. Thank you as well for not waiting until his final moments or until he passed away to show him you cared. He really appreciated you and we do too. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I will never have all the stories on my father, you know why? He meant a lot to a lot of people. If he could impact someone by his wisdom, humility and kindness in a mere 5 minutes then imagine the effect of his 71 years…everyone has their own formal remembrance of Leslie Vernon Richardson but if we come together, I’m sure it all boils down to he was a gentleman, kindness personified, an agriculturalist, a teacher, a friend, a family man, the best father, a husband and a faithful servant of the Lord. I stand a proud daughter of a great man. I salute you Daddy! I love and miss you so. May your kind soul rest in eternal peace.
