The story of the life of the late David Nathaniel Hodge, formerly of the Long Path, Anguilla, was one of humility, success, patriotic love, kindness, spiritual discernment and commitment. That was the summary of the eulogies and tributes at the Wake Service, and the Service of Thanksgiving, held for him on the Tropical Distributors’ Company’s premises and at the St. Augustine’s Anglican Church on February 28 and 29 respectively.
By sundown on Friday, February 28, the expansive tent-covered area outside his business place was flooded by crowds of mourners and well-wishers from across the island. They had all come to know, love and share with the late businessman, during his lifetime, a level of camaraderie many of them were prepared to speak openly about at the large gathering. A point of interest was that the event, including participants, in the Wake and Thanksgiving Service, was arranged by him and executed by Mrs. Maria Webster one of the family members – and siblings with the assistance of the others in the household. His body was laid out for public viewing, throughout the event, in a beautifully-decorated enclave in one of the main buildings – providing easy access and line of sight to all.
The Wake Service was conducted by Lay Reader at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Mr. Chrispen Gumbs. “He was always a man in the community who was doing something that not only he and his family were going to benefit from, but the entire community as well,” Mr. Gumbs said, in speaking about Mr. Hodge’s several business ventures…, “Friends, because of his two characteristics of humility and fear of God, David received many blessings and he was very successful in his lifetime.”
He continued: “When we look at David, and all he achieved, he understood that a good name was to be chosen rather than great riches. He didn’t put wealth, and becoming rich, before a good name. Wealth comes to us in many different ways and forms. The wealth of respect, and recognised excellence in character, is something that many of us don’t seem to worry about today…David recognised very early the value that is beyond great riches in a relationship with God. The prophet said the riches of a wise man are enjoyed until death, but a good man’s name outlives him and is left behind as a blessing.”
There were tributes from a number of individuals and groups. The groups included singers from the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church; the Church of God of Prophecy, West End; the Starlight Singers of Island Harbour; and the staff of Tropical Distributors and Island Gases – two of the businesses owned by Mr. Hodge.
Mr. Keithley Lake, one of the siblings, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed gratitude to all who attended the wake and delivered tributes. “Many things were spoken about Dad and what he achieved and did,” he observed. “This is all well and all good, but he always reminded us – and sometimes he would tell us even though it was done in a sort of hidden way – that we were all there for him. I pulled fish pots with him when I was seven years old, and my sisters always remember we had to get up at four o’clock in the morning to clean fish to ship to Puerto Rico. In a nutshell, that is how we started as a family and grew our business which we cherish.”
He thanked the Anguillian public at large for doing business with his family over the years. He also took the opportunity to recognise present and past staff of Tropical Flower, Tropical Distributors, Island Gases and Island Shipping, for having been part of a great man who had left a legacy to be built on.
Like the Wake Service, St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, where the tributes continued, was filled to capacity. The Clergy comprised the Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks and the Rev. Fr. Raliville Christian. “When we know that we are God’s, and He is ours, then and only then can we know what real and lasting security is,” Bishop Brooks told the congregation. “I believe that our brother, David, came to that realization and he threw his all in the hands of God. We offer our sympathy to the members of David’s family. May the God of comfort grant you the peace and comfort which you so need today and the days ahead.”
David’s remains were interred in the Sandy Hill Cemetery where his wife, Mrs. Adella Hodge, preceded him a few years ago.
