The most recent retirement from the Anguilla Public Service is that of Mr. Leroy (Brother Lee) Richardson. On Thursday evening, March 10, two days before he reached his retirement age of 60 years, a grand Appreciation Celebration was held in his honour at Flavours Restaurant, La Vue.
Since in the 1980s, and up to the first quarter of 2016, the quiet and unassuming Brother Lee served as a Public Health Inspector. During his long career he meticulously supervised and managed the Solid Waste component of the Environment Health Unit of the Health and Protection Department. He is known to have had a particular involvement in village clean-up campaigns, mosquito and other insect and rodent eradication. He was in fact what one may consider as a general public hygienist in his own right and practice.
His retirement celebration was not organised by the Department of Public Administration – although he was accorded some official recognition at the ceremony. The event was a grand affair organised, with much formality, splendour and attention to detail, by a small private Planning Committee dominated by a longstanding friend and livewire, Mrs. Melsadis Fleming, with the assistance of her sister, Mrs. Clarian Webster, other family members, and another close friend, Mr. Kenneth Hodge.
Aside from his public service record, Brother Lee has been described as a DJ, Broadcasting Personality on Kool FM Radio, Song Writer, Culturist, Health Conscious individual, a Committed, Humble, Friendly, Responsible, Honest, Self-Disciplined, Trustworthy and Confident person. It is largely these extra-curricula activities, community involvement efforts and genres of personal virtue that endeared him to many persons of all walks of life. They came together to identify with him in an alliance of consolidation and celebration that he will long remember. And what a large assembly of persons it was – easily between 170 and 200 persons – filling to capacity all the restaurant floor-space and the fine array of decorated tables and chairs.
Mr. Kenneth Hodge was liberal in his commendation for Mrs. Fleming – for the role she played in the celebration. “I continue to be amazed at the versatility, determination, tenacity, resolve, persistence, drive and enthusiasm of Mrs. Fleming – the major force behind this gala event. She conceptualised this gala event…I take time to highlight this because it is not very often, in our community, that people put themselves out to elevate others and highlight their contributions to nation-building and the and the empowerment of others in such tangible ways…”
Mr. Hodge took particular time to speak about Brother Lee, his “good friend” for most of his early life. “I again continue to be amazed how he unselfishly gives of himself, his time and his talents, to help to make our island a better place.” He said to the large gathering: “Your presence makes a clear statement of your love and support for Brother Lee over the years”. He also expressed appreciation to the corporate community for supporting the retiree, and the celebration event, in various tangible ways in terms of gifts and awards.
The Master of Ceremonies was the well-known and charismatic Iwandai Gumbs, broadcaster, commentator and preacher on Upbeat Radio. In welcoming the invitees to the “auspicious occasion”, he said Brother Lee had given “yeoman’s service to Anguilla and its people”.
Minister of Social Development and Health, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, joined in commending Brother Lee for his various contributions to Anguilla over the years. “On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I take this opportunity to thank you for your work over the many years; and, on my own behalf, I would like to thank you for being you as we grew up together,” he concluded.
Two of Brother Lee’s colleagues, Mr. Vincent Carty, Principal Environmental Officer, and Mr. Ambrell Richardson, Director of Health Proctection, spoke highly about his work and the assistance they received from him at the Environment Health Unit. They presented two gifts to him as tokens of the appreciation of the staff.
Brother Lee was the recipient of many gifts and awards from a long list of business places with whom he was closely associated – particularly in the delivery of his community service. Some of the major partners who made contributions to him included Fair Play Group of Companies; Anglec, LIME Anguilla, Digicel, CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Sheriva Villas; the Department of Youth and Culture; and the Welches Village Festival Committee.
A noted calypso writer and musician, Brother Lee was celebrated in song by the Mighty Splinter and Bankie Banks with whom he has had a long association.
Responding to the varied tributes and accolades showered on him, Brother Lee expressed thanks to all concerned for their kind words, gifts and awards, show of solidarity and goodwill, and their mass turnout at the Appreciation Celebration.
