Eulogy
McCrea Haden Peerless Manners was born on 12 June 1953 in Cayon, St.Kitts and died at home on the 09’th December 2020 at the age of 67 years.
He is survived by his daughter Roselle, his Partner Faith, siblings Felix, Bethune, Petronella and Rhomalia; Aunt Rose Tyson, 10 Nieces and 3 Nephews, their children and Grandchildren and by Cousins and other relations in Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, Canada, USA, Holland and the UK.
McCrea grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Family and Faith. And was active in the SDA churches in Cayon and Basseterre in St. Kitts and the Camphill SDA church in Birmingham, here in the UK. He remained an Adventist throughout, although not as a practising member of the Church.
He graduated from the London Metropolitan University with a Degree in Chemistry. Science was to be the subject of his early career, and the consistent influence and Love that he carried throughout his life.
His early career includes 3 years in Zimbabwe as a School Teacher a profession he would return to in the latter stage of his life. Training young minds was always a passion for him. For the most, McCrea enjoyed a long career in the UK Transport industry. This includes his time in the London Taxi service as a Driver and Controller and as co-owner with Horace Bryan of Milla Transport Ltd. An Import/Export and Shipping company specialising in services to Africa and the Caribbean.
McCrea is best described as one of life’s MOST beautiful and MOST caring of individuals. Always giving and never seeking anything in return. And once you are touched by him, you would never forget him. With him you never made a friendship you met a brother.
In our 67 years together, I personally cannot recall one occasion when McCrea and I had crossed words. And I am confident that I can say the same for our late Shirley and our sisters Bethune, Petronella and Rhomalia. And Since his passing many family members and friends have shared with me that they could never be angry with McCrea and would definitely never fall out of favour with him.
He was indeed, a very popular man with legions of friends, colleagues and acquaintances. He loved people and people loved him. McCrea’s generosity knew no bounds. He loved to entertain and he was always entertaining. Many of you would of been invited to lunch with him on a Sunday. Whenever I attended these legendary events, there was always 4 guarantees-:
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1. The food would always be great.
2. We would be thoroughly entertained.
3. There would always be lots of people there.
4. There would always be at least one person who was a stranger to me.
This was a consistency that ran throughout his life. It came from our Mother. We grew up in a very happy home where we always shared Sabbath lunch with family, with friends and always with strangers, usually people visiting from other churches.
He was overwhelmingly a family man and a great Dad to his only daughter Roselle. He beamed with exquisite pleasure and delight every time he recounted her various attainments, achievements and life’s successes to me. And Dougie will speak more about that. He was the most giving, caring and understanding Uncle to his Nieces, Nephews and the young cousins. He had an easy way with them and they all gravitated to him.
He was also the family member who persistently serviced and maintained all family ties. Not just through regular Visits to Family in Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham, London but to places like Slough, where somehow both he and Dougie uncovered family members and family ties neither he or the rest of the family knew existed. On visits to USA, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Holland and St.Martin he met and established strong and unbreakable bonds with family he would be meeting for the first time. And once formed, he always maintained those bonds.
McCrea is also well known throughout the Salsa dancing fraternity in London, the UK and in Europe. And It would take far more than this Eulogy to give full Tribute to his Salsa dancing powers and his contributions to Salsa. His grace, poise and command on the dance floor is legendary. Added to which we remember-:
- HIS many Dance parties featuring Salsa, Reggae, Latin and other music genres.
- The Salsa and other events he Promoted and Staged
- And his weekly Salsa dancing classes.
McCrea worked as hard at his career as he did in the pursuit of helping others. And I guess that there won’t be many here today, who wont recall a debt of gratitude that is owed to him.
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Felix C Manners