I am happy for being granted the privilege, in light of my unavoidable absence, to extend my condolences to the children, grandchildren, siblings, family, relatives and friends of my friend and colleague, the late Wycliffe Augustus Rohan Richardson, at this service of celebration of his life and service to Anguilla.
Not only Anguillans, but many persons in this sub-region as well, were saddened to hear of his untimely passing. He had indeed made his mark as a media personality, and all around sports and social commentator wherever he went or was heard. Yet, he was known by most of us by the simple address: “Wycliffe”, “Poley” or the “Judge” which he accepted with both humility and pride.
I feel duty bound in my capacity as Premier, but even more so as a friend and colleague, to make tribute to the caliber of the man we called, “the Judge”. As I said in my official statement at his passing: “the Judge never held a grudge!” In fact, after responding to anything in his most frank and direct manner — he had the ability to crack a joke or make a snide remark that would immediately lighten the atmosphere and in many cases have everyone smiling and even laughing uncontrollably. In many cases he would actually make the joke on himself.
He said what he had to say honestly and got on with it. But you could always count on the fact that he would have something to say. I always marveled at his ability to spot a flaw in most things. They may often be flaws one could overlook — but they were for the most part flaws nonetheless. And if anyone could discern them it would be the “Judge”. He seemed to have an eye for the simplest imperfection. And there were times when many of us would beg him to let the matter rest. He would eventually do so — but not before fully exhausting the point.
This characteristic would have earned him the label of being controversial by some — and even offensive by others. Nevertheless, he could never be deterred from expressing his opinion. I believe that even as we reflect on his life we would all agree that this was a form of honesty that made him exceptional. As the old adage goes: “You did not have to light a candle to find the Judge!”
Even though father time may have made us contemporaries in age — I had the opportunity to be one of his form room teachers in High School. And even from that period I can recall that one of the persons he seemed to appreciate or cherish most was his cousin Conrad Adiziel Brooks. Dizzie!
I bring this up to say that almost every time he had a story to tell it would begin with the introduction: “My Cousin Dizzie say!” Together they would have had many exploits that were steeped in the culture of their village, “North Side”, and by extension traditional Anguillian communities. I am certain that the impact of this friendship was felt throughout Anguilla over the years. And must cause his memory at this time to be more personal because of the many lives touched in this manner.
In my official statement I used the terms agile and versatile to describe the Judge’s personality. It is because he was as at ease in the Church as he was in the wider community, and he was immersed at the highest levels in both. He was an avid member of the Methodist Church Circuit both in Anguilla and the Caribbean and held positions at both levels. And even though his home Church was Ebenezer he was willing to be a part of the entire Anguilla Circuit. Similarly, he was a leader in groups and organizations across the entire spectrum of community, cultural and sporting activities.
I am sure that every group of which he was a part in this community, or the Church, will have special stories to tell about the “Judge”. Stories, many of which may at the time had been treated with mixed feelings, but will now be remembered with fondness — knowing that that was just his way — nothing personal intended.
Journalism was his passion from a very young age and it remained his passion all of his life — from schoolboy days; to entering the public service; to entering retirement. And it must have been a crowning achievement to develop his own Television Station which, at the time of his passing, was beginning to expand its horizons. It is a blessing also to know that just months before his untimely passing he received an award from Radio Anguilla for his service to the Government and People of Anguilla.
I am sure that even in his death we will find cause to honor him much more for the contribution he has made, in his own special way, to the development of our community, especially through the medium of broadcasting. His unique voice and delivery will be etched in our memories for a long time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his children, his grandchildren, his siblings and his entire family at this time, as they mourn the loss of this fallen patriot who believed in his country and contributed in so many ways to make it a better place for all. Despite our sadness at his untimely passing — we could never appreciate the heartrending pain that you as a family must be experiencing at this time. He was well loved.
On behalf of the Government and People of Anguilla, and on my own behalf and that of my family, we pray that the Richardson family find comfort and closure in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.
May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
