The late Mr Leon Roydon, who is credited as having been the initiator of Anguilla’s current upmarket tourism industry, wanted to depart this life as quietly, modestly and unsung as he lived.
But such was the magnitude of his highly visible and most appreciated contribution to Anguilla, and its people, that a large number of friends and acquaintances came together on Monday evening, June 16, to celebrate his life and legacy.
The poolside celebration was held at the scenic ridge of South Hill, overlooking Road Bay, just down from the residence of his widow, Mrs Rhona Richardson Roydon. There, the grieving, but strong Anguillian woman, who organised the event, admitted: “This is exactly what Mr Roydon did not want.” She noted, however, that there were many people who knew him long before her, and she was aware that they, and others, would desire to have some parting words about him and to give closure to his passing, on May 23, at the age of ninety.
Before opening the microphone to the various speakers, Mrs Richardson Roydon invited Methodist Supernumerary Minister, Rev Dr H Clifton Niles, to deliver the invocation. “First, we will thank God for life; then we will pray thanking God specially for Mr Roydon and the contribution he has made to Anguilla; then we will pray for this gathering; and then for Rhona,” he explained in his supplication.
The tributes commenced with the reading of two statements of condolences by Mr Alan Gumbs who, for many years, had been a fellow hotelier and friend of Mr Roydon. The first statement was from Mr Bill Fischer, a long-time friend of Mr Roydon who described him as “a visionary, someone ahead of his time.” Fischer continued: “He brought luxury to a whole new level by upgrading rooms, food and wine and especially with his love…We will miss him greatly. Love to the whole family.”
The other statement was from Mr Roydon’s son, Terry, who regretted that he and his family could not be at the celebration. He was delighted that so many friends of, and colleagues at, Malliouhana, had come together to pay respects to a remarkable man who would be missed enormously.
Moving tributes came from various persons who were employed by Mr Roydon at Malliouhana Hotel and Spa for many years. They were Hulda Richardson, Ann Gumbs, Blondell (Bankie) Hughes; Patricia Connor and Albert Lake; as well as his caretaker, Gloria Wilkinson.
Other speakers at the two-hour celebration were Mrs Olive Hodge who, at the invitation of Mr Roydon, established a branch of the Anguilla Drugstore at Malliouhana Hotel; Mr Timothy Hodge, who recalled that during and after construction, the hotel was one of the largest contributors to Social Security; Mrs Mona Fleming; Mr David Carty, who recalled his years as Director of Tourism and the role he played in attracting Mr Roydon to invest in Anguilla; Mrs Amelia Kubisch, who was also part of that role, served later as Director of Tourism working closely with Mr Roydon and eventually became one of his managerial employees; Dr Rona Hodge, Mr Keithley Lake; Mrs Evalie Bradley, a former Labour Commissioner; Mr Calvert Carty, another former Labour Commissioner and a leader of the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre; Mr Bennie Connor, who served as a member of the Anguilla Tourist Board with Mr Roydon; Dr Linda O M Banks, who recalled the assistance she had received from him for the Teacher Gloria Omolulu Institute; Professor Delroy Louden, President of the Anguilla Community College; and Dr Lowell Hughes.
Mr Roydon started his hotel business in Anguilla at Cul de Sac. He later moved to Meads Bay where he built the 55-room luxury Malliouhana Hotel and Spa which, for many years, was one of the small Leading Hotels of the World.
The property, as indicated above, placed Anguilla on the map as an upmarket destination. It was the recipient of many accolades for its outstanding service and had the distinction of having the largest wine cellar in the Caribbean.
