Saturday, October 5, and Monday, October 7, 2013 were the days when mass throngs of people, from every walk of life, came to grips with the full impact of the road accident in the early hours of Friday, September 20, which caused the painful deaths of two promising young men, Marlon K.A. Harrigan, 19, of Pond Ground, East End, and Esterlin Silwood Connor, 26, of Blowing Point.
It was on those sad dates when the separate funerals culminated days of mourning by family and friends, still reeling from the shock of the accident which occurred when the car, in which Harrigan and Connor were travelling, veered off the Long Path and struck the Best Buy building. They were both to leave Anguilla the next day to participate in a drag race in Nevis, one of the official activities of the independence celebrations in the St Kitts-Nevis Federation. The people there joined the people of Anguilla in mourning the loss of the two young men.
The Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Marlon Harrigan was held at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, East End, where the Officiating Clergy comprised The Rt. Rev Errol Brooks, Rev Menes Hodge and Rev Samuel Knight, as well as Rev St Clair Williams of Dominica and Rev Terrence Rawlins of St Maarten.
The 10 a.m. Service of Thanksgiving was preceded by a long period of tributes by various groups and individuals including personnel from the Ministry and Department of Infrastructure where Marlon was an Auto Mechanic worker; St Augustine’s Senior Choir; family and friends who presented selections as well as members of the Drag Racing Association. The Scripture Readings were delivered by Sandra York Gumbs and Shellya Rogers.
The homily of words of comfort and exhortation was delivered by Bishop Brooks. He not only addressed Marlon’s family and friends, but also took the opportunity to address Silwood’s family and friends as well as scores of young people and other persons.
“The tragic death which brings us together today, weighs heavily upon our loss,” the Bishop lamented. “A young lad, so rich in promise, has been cut short; a young life that in some ways was closely bound up in ours. Marlon was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, a car smith, a neighbour, a friend. His life was bound up in ours. We come first of all to pay tribute, to take time to remember Marlon who has touched our lives in varying degrees. We show our respect and affection in these moments for a quiet, pleasant young man who has walked among us and who, although now failed by death, will continue to be part of our lives in our minds and hearts. We also have come to express our feelings to those who deeply mourn…There aren’t many adequate words, if any, to express our feelings.”
Department of Infrastructure
The Bishop, who brought solace and encouragement to family and friends, through various Scriptural references, continued: “Already we can see that there is good even in this tragedy. For one thing, look at the outpouring of love by family and friends. Look around this church today and see the throngs. There is an outpouring of love; parents and children are talking to each other in ways they never have; look at the presence of the Clergy. We are here because of the outpouring of love – Father Hodge, Father Williams and Father Rawlins…have come from overseas.”
The Bishop had a special message for young people and friends of Marlon. “All of us share your grief, young men and young women, but I want to say something to all of you. One of the most lofty characteristics of youth is the way young people glory in their youth. There is thrill of being alive,” he told them. “Those of you, whether here at this service or listening by radio, I suppose you will be made a little older and wiser by this experience. It is to be hoped, as life goes on for you, that the choices you make will be tempered somewhat without affecting seriously your exuberance in living…
“I want you to listen – listen to your parents; listen to the older heads. They have experienced life. They know the pitfalls of life and you need to listen. Do not spurn the advice which they give. You need to remember that the things you do and say do not only affect you but they affect family and friends. Do not live life foolishly and selfishly. Consider the consequences of your actions. In this moment, we need faith. What does faith say to us at a moment of tremendous loss and pain? It says don’t deny the burden of grief in this hour. It is good grief because it comes directly for your great love for Marlon but, at the same time, be assured that God makes His gracious strength accessible to you for meeting this hour of grief.”
The long period of tributes and the Thanksgiving Service climaxed with the Interment at the Sandy Hill Cemetery.
The Anguillian joins in offering its condolences to the family and friends of the late Marlon Harrigan.
