There is a lingering feeling of loss still gripping the small Anguillian community to which the late Mr. Everet Ferdinand Romney, MBE, contributed enormously during his lifetime.
From a Corporal in the Armed Services of the British Royal Air Force in England and Bahrain to his return to his native Anguilla where he established several businesses, headed some, including the Anguilla Business Unit of Cable and Wireless, and served on a number of private sector Boards, Mr. Romney was a distinguished, well-respected and successful Anguillian. Notwithstanding his engagement as an extraordinary businessman, he found time, after not been elected three times, to accept an appointment as Second Nominated Member in the Anguilla House of Assembly which he later relinquished to focus on other demands including Cable & Wireless. Over the years he also stood out in religious affairs as a devout Christian and a leader in the Methodist Church.
Those, other leadership roles and qualities, made him a model citizen of Anguilla. He was born on June 15, 1933 and died on July 28, 2018. The Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of his life was held at the Maranatha Methodist Church in Blowing Point, his home village, on Saturday, September 15. Several hundred people, from all walks of life, were in attendance, symbolic of the high esteem in which he was widely held.
Glowing tributes were paid to him by a number of persons prior to, and during, the Order of Service. The funeral booklet contained an official statement from the Government of Anguilla, signed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, in which she praised Mr. Romney for his invaluable contribution to Anguilla. She cited, among other matters, that he was awarded the Anguilla Badge of Honour and Queen’s Certificate in 2017 for Social Development; and that flags were flown at half-mast before and during his funeral as a tribute to him. (He was awarded the MBE by the Queen in 1988). The all-embracing and enlightening Formal Remembrance was delivered by Mr. Mark Romney, one of his sons. Among those who expressed tributes in song were the 1982 6th Form of the former Valley Secondary School; past and present staff of Cable & Wireless/Flow; Maranatha Choir; the Romney Family, including soloist Z’Dijah Romney, and well-known singer and musician, Mr. Darwin Mussington.
The Officiating Ministers were: Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs; Rev. Dunstan Richardson, Rev. Joseph Lloyd; Rev. Lindsay Richardson; and Rev. Wilmoth Hodge. The Organist was Mr. Devaunie Richardson and the Pianist, Ms. Lois Hazell.
The sermon, delivered by Rev. Lindsay Richardson, was based on the Biblical story about the raising of Lazarus from the dead followed by his quiet showing up at several places. Drawing a parallel from that story, the Minister captured a special side of Mr. Romney’s life – the love with which he showed up in various circumstances.
“One thing was clear, as I sat in the room where Mr. Romney took his last breath,” Rev. Richardson recalled. “Love was in the air and filled the room. His wife [Mrs Eudine Romney], of some 60 years, spoke in hushed tones with much love and compassion about a man with whom she had shared love and a man who was loved.
“There was an acceptance of death, but no bitterness or anger; there was pain of loss, but such pain was masked in the stories of love and in the memories of love. It seems to me that Mr. Romney made a life out of showing up with love – not just to his dear family, but to his church family and the wider community. Three times he showed up for his community [in general elections] but was not successful and that was a result of showing up… Something tells me that there may be one or two people outside of his family who could testify that he showed up to them in their time of need and extended help for which they are still grateful.
“I want to believe that there are those who will bear witness that Mr. Romney showed up and made a difference in their lives – whether at the workplace, the community or church. What a way to be remembered! What a testimony to have someone saying to you thanks for showing up in love with kindness and caring when he didn’t have to care; giving advice when no one asked for it; offering practical tangible assistance even when no need was obvious. But such is the generosity of the spirit of showing up in love. When you show up, you don’t need a reason other than that you love; other than you care and want to be a blessing even as you have been blessed.”
Rev. Richardson, known for his excellent sermons, added: Mr Romney was no perfect man and I don’t need to know any stories of his imperfection. But I want to believe that throughout his life he felt to respond to the need to show up in the lives of those who were dear to him and I dare say to them he didn’t even know …
“God smiled on him and his family, restored him from the dead, as it were, and gave him back to his family after he was so terribly ill so that he could spend his final days with some strength to share old stories and laughter; to be at ease and engage with his grandchildren and the rest of the family; to experience love and fellowship; and to just be present. He showed up until God said: ‘Well done. Say goodbye’. And he quietly put his head in her [his wife’s] arms and breathed his last. Before you breathe your last, go and show up.”
Interment was at Bethel Methodist Churchyard Cemetery at South Hill.
