One of the admirable traits of Anguillian life is the respect and celebration accorded to members of the citizenry who, during the course of their existence, contributed significantly to the island and its people in one form or another.
A case in point is the late Mr. Calvert Carty who was an outstanding contributor to the social and cultural life of his island home, and who passed away on September 26, in the United States, at the age of 64 years.
The well-attended Service of Thanksgiving was held at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral on Saturday, October 19, in an exchange of pulpits as the Bethel Methodist Church, where Mr. Carty was a staunch member, is in a state of disrepair. He was, however, laid to rest at the Bethel Cemetery following the Thanksgiving Service, and a series of tributes in song and word in which several groups and individuals participated.
The groups included the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre in which the late cultural bearer and dramatist was an original member; the Anguilla Lions Club; and the Choirs and Men’s Fellowship of the Methodist Church in which he was also a longstanding member.
The main persons who paid glowing tribute to him were Mrs. Evalie Bradley, Mr. Carty’s Road North Constituency Elected Representative and fellow Methodist, who led the tributes; Dr. M. Linda Banks, who served with him during his early cultural contributions; Mr. Brent Davis, who was one of his keen admirers in the community and in the Methodist Church; and Mr. Wycliffe Richardson, another leading Methodist and one of the organiser of the Thanksgiving Service who delivered the Eulogy. The various presentations celebrated Mr. Carty as a patriot in every aspect of Anguillian life.
The Officiating Methodist Ministers were the Superintendent of the Anguilla Circuit, Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs; and Supernumerary Ministers: Rev. Joseph Lloyd; Rev. Dunstan Richardson; and Rev. Wilmoth Hodge.
Known for his influential sermons, Rev. Dr. Gumbs spoke about the Biblical account of “a season and a time for every matter under Heaven” including “a time to be born, and a time to die”.
Referring to the quotation from the Bible – “For everything there is a season”, the Minister stated: “The many roles our brother, Calvert, performed, are testimony to his intelligence, wit and resiliency. We commend him to his Creator. May his breadth of wisdom and patriotic fervour inspire us to reach, dream and create; and like him leave behind a legacy of public service and goodwill. He ‘fought a good fight.’”
