Posts tagged Barbados

Approximately one month away till the Canadian I AM SOCA (Long Live Soca) tour reaches Montreal. On the Victoria long weekend, the tour which starts Friday May 19th in Toronto with the theme (Soca Army) comes to Montreal on Saturday May 20th with the theme (Soca Paradise). I Am SOCA first came to Montreal as an annual event Victoria weekend 2018. For those who never attended or don’t know what a I AM SOCA Event is…. It was created by a group of New Yorkers of Trinidad descent that calls themselves “Rastarz Promotionz”. I AM SOCA is a 100% Soca …

Donald Willard Moore (1891-1994), was a community leader and civil rights activist who fought to change Canada’s exclusionary immigration laws. Donald Moore was born at Lodge Hill, St. Michael’s Parish, Barbados on November 2, 1891. His parents were Ruth Elizabeth Moore and Charles Alexander Moore, a cabinetmaker and member of the Barbados Harbour Police Force. At age 21 years of age, he left his parents behind and emigrated to the United States, but soon left New York City for Montreal. He found employment with the Canadian Pacific Railway as a sleeping car porter, a job that took him to Toronto. …

A Barbadian-Canadian Caesar: Erla Blandeen Hewitt Sandiford, RN By Calvin G.W. Sandiford My mother, Erla Blandeen Hewitt Sandiford, came from a simple background. She was the daughter of a World War II veteran who served in Palestine and who was also a police officer in Barbados, and a seamstress. Due to her father’s work injuries, my mother helped take care of him when she was young. Her sense of commitment and giving was strong. My own father waited until she completed her nursing studies and became a registered nurse before they wed. She used to tell one of her best …

Eugene “Aunt Gene” Pennycooke (nee Roberts) January 29th, 1931 – November 4th, 2022 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Eugene Pennycooke, in Montreal, on November 4th, 2022. Beloved wife of Isaac Pennycooke, loving mother to late Veronica “Dean”, Joseph, Bobby and Dave, cherished grandmother to Derek, Natacha, Chantelle, Sasha, Tamara, Maya, Kadeem, Troy and Brandon, treasured great grandmother to seven great grandchildren. Aunt Gene will also be greatly missed by her brother Irvine Smith, her nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held at Rideau Funeral Home …

“Today, we must recognize how institutional racism manifests itself, not just historically, but in the current reality of our education systems, including higher education.” The words of Graham Carr, president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University, on Friday, October 28, as he delivered a formal apology on behalf of the institution and its board of governors “for the decisions and actions of university leaders at the time,” which contributed to a series of events that became known as the Sir George Williams Affair. In the early morning of February 11, 1969, officers of the Montreal police force responding to a call …

Mid morning September 24 and some members of Barbados House Montreal were on the run on the streets of LaSalle, participating in the first edition of the Soca Run Festival (SRF) to be staged in this city. The event, which is growing in popularity around the world is geared towards promoting “health and wellness for African American and Caribbean communities” as stated on the their website. And it is not auntie’s 5K marathon: the Soca Run Festival is about health and fitness with a heavy dose of carnival culture. As described when participating in the SRF, Soca runners “experience live …

Mrs. Sylvia Ella Forde (nee Warner) (Barnes) February 10, 1930 – September 10, 2022 At the noble age of 92, Mrs. Sylvia Ella Forde (nee Warner) (Barnes) passed away on Saturday September 10, 2022 with her devoted husband Denville Forde at her side. She leaves to mourn her siblings Doris Maloney (Toronto), Ronald (Sonny) Barnes in Miami and children Marvin Edwards, Desmona Forde (Greco), Joycelyn Forde, Valda Forde (Henry). She joins her two previously departed children, the late Beverly Forde , Winston Barnes, and her late brother Carl Bailey. Nana will be sadly missed by her many grandchildren, especially, Simone, …

Zaire Odle carries the weight of expectations well. You see, big things are expected of the 21-year-old Montreal golfer who recently turned pro and has his eyes set on taking on all comers and making his mark on the game. “There’re times when I think he can seriously challenge Tiger Woods,’ so says Marlon Long, a noted entrepreneur, former college footballer and basketball coach. He is building a management team around Odle. “From the first time I saw him play, I thought Zaire has all that it takes to reach the top.” His friend Bryant Frazier, a former pro footballer …

As she approaches another birthday on October 15th, her 109th, Mrs. Una Adams says these days she is less inclined for any big celebration. “I’m really looking forward to spending the day with my family. That for me is as good as it gets.” She says family is never far away, but having them around on that special day really means something, and is hoping also that one of her grandsons, who is currently in Nova Scotia, will be making the trip to see her soon. As it has been when we spoke on her 105th birthday, Mrs. Adams was …

Wilton “Jun Jun” Geoffrey Moore Jr Sunrise: October 21, 1951 – Sunset: August 16, 2022 It is with immense grief and sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Wilton “Jun Jun” Geoffrey Moore Jr., at 6:05 AM on August 16, 2022, peacefully in his sleep at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. Our very much adored husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, friend, skilled and meticulous craftsman, and mentor to many around him, went to be with his Maker, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was 70 years old. Left behind to mourn is his dear wife Jennifer Louisa, his beloved …