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April 16, 1933 - April 15, 2020. Departed this world from Maryland, USA. Abrahim Bacchus known as Buddy. We can now only hang on to all the wonderful and blessed memories spent with you. Thank you for being such a wonderful brother and uncle to us. You will be missed and always have a special place in our hearts. Rest In Peace dear sweet uncle. πŸ™πŸΌπŸŽˆβ€οΈ

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa

Departed on April 19, 2020

It is with deep regret and a heavy heart i announce the death of Mr. Motielall Rambharose also known as Sir of Richmond Hill, New York and formerly of No. 60 Village, Corentyne, Berbice Guyana. Husband of Nalini and father of Sunil and Anil. He was the brother of Lokenauth of Guyana, Kunti Ramharrack, Nando and the late Doctor, Goldboy, Bodhwatie, Baby, Lilwa, Devika and Heera. Mr. Lall was also the Mamoo (Uncle ) of my wife Kavita. Mr. Motielall Rambharose was a former Headmaster of No.59 Village Primary School. Our hearfelt condolences to the entire Rambharose family and to all those who are mourning the loss of this wonderful soul whom we lovingly called Mamoo.May his soul find comfort in Bhagwaan. Will update you with more information later.

Devendra Sewdatt

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa

 

Our most beloved mother Amna Jabbar of Jamaica Queens, New York is sadly no longer with us.

She died at the Queens Memorial Hospital. February 15, 1939 to April 14, 2020.

While she died from this dreaded Covid19, she also died of a broken heart. There are some things left unsaid to her including the fact that she never got to know her eldest son Edul, died just two weeks ago, also from Covid19.

We miss you so much mommy and we love you dearly. Forever in our hearts. ❀️

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa

Mighty Enchanter passes away after battle with cancer

The Mighty Enchanter, Joseph Burgan-Thomas
The Mighty Enchanter, Joseph Burgan-Thomas

Calypsonian, Joseph Burgan-Thomas who went by the stage name, β€˜Mighty Enchanter’ passed away last Friday morning at his Linden/Soesdyke Highway home after a long battle with prostate cancer.

 

Daughter of the late singer, Carla Trotman, said that her father suffered from the illness for four years and died at 7:30am on Friday.

Mighty Enchanter, composer and singer of popular song, `Lilawatie’, was someone who promoted harmony in his songs specifically geared towards the Afro-Indo communities. Many of his songs date back to the 1970’s era but their message ring true even today. Among his other songs were β€˜Dulari Betty’, β€˜Dishonest Pandit’, β€˜Maughe wid me’, β€˜I Love You’, β€˜Miniskirt’, β€˜Modern Girl Children’ and β€˜Fareeda Darling’. Fareeda Darling was a duet which he did with his beloved wife Fareeda Azeez dubbed β€˜The Lady Enchanter’. Azeez died in August of last year.

A former political musician also, the Enchanter along with Lord Canary and Calypso Stella were composers of the official songs for political parties – the People’s Progressive Party, People’s National Congress and the Working People’s Alliance.

β€˜Maughe wid me’ was one of his singles that was said to be of the β€˜Afro-Indi Beat’. The Afro-Indi Beat was piloted and styled by the late Terry Nelson-Fraser, owner of Halagala Records which later became the HJP TV Station. In August of 2012, Burgan-Thomas was one of twelve persons who were awarded by the Guyana Cultural Association of New York. He was recognized for his contributions for the development of Chutney through the Afro-Indo Beat and for the tactful way he delivered social messages.

Remembering the singer, two-time Chutney Monarch, Roger β€˜Young Bill Rogers’ Hinds said that Burgan-Thomas was one of the first Afro-Guyanese persons to sing Afro-Indi Beats. Hinds spoke of the  β€˜Lilawatie’ song sharing that other Guyanese singers would have gone on to make covers of the Mighty Enchanter’s original piece. β€œI have a 45 record with his `Lilawatie’ song on it. I never personally worked with him but his songs were among the same songs that inspired me in my music career especially since he was one of the first Afro-Guyanese singing Chutney”, Young Bill Rogers said.

The Mighty Enchanter’s music career along with those of other Guyanese artistes was detailed in the book called β€˜Musical Life in Guyana: History and Politics of Controlling Creativity’. Author of the book, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, a professor emeritus with the School of Media Arts and Studies, Ohio University said of the singer in his book, β€˜The Mighty Enchanter, an African Guyanese calypsonian, was also a pioneer and active promoter of the Afro-Indi beat.’ When contacted,  the retired professor said, β€œEnchanter’s narratives were about the internal Indian life. He not only spoke it, he lived it. His true love was Indian…. He saw his relationship as a sign of what Guyana would become”, Cambridge said.

 

The professor further shared that through his interaction with the composer he learnt of his love for the Linden/Soesdyke Highway where he settled and had hopes that someday it would  become a tourist attraction as he found it the perfect place for family relaxation.

Burgan-Thomas’s career and personal life were also featured in the Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc’s on-line Magazine which said that he hailed from Wakenaam and was a former cane cutter, pork knocker and teacher. An excerpt from the magazine spread done by Cambridge in collaboration with Margaret Lawrence read, β€œAs a musician engaged in the working-class struggle he commented on patterns of domination and oppression with the intention of calling attention to the problem and seeking rectification.”

The late singer who was also affiliated with the PPP was also remembered by former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.

β€œHe used his art form to help educate people in their social and political struggles. He was one of the early pioneers of edutainment as he educated people through entertainment. His songs were about helping people in some way by shedding light on various issues….and about bringing about change. His passing has [saddened] this country and I’ll like to acknowledge his contributions to Guyana … and wish that the current Calypsonians can take a page out his book….”, Anthony said.

The Mighty Enchanter leaves to mourn twenty-five children and almost a hundred grandchildren. He will be laid to rest tomorrow.

 
K

A former Advertising Manager at the Guyana Chronicle has succumbed to COVID-19 related complications in the United States while five of his friends are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) battling the deadly disease.

Seventy-year-old Leon Gaskin known as β€˜Pretty quick’ who lived in Georgetown before migrating in 2007, died on Sunday night in New York, according to former Director of the Guyana Chronicle Bert Wilkinson.

β€œIt was a shocker, I haven’t seen him since last September when I was in the US,” Wilkinson said of his friend.

Wilkinson told the News Room that five of Gaskin’s friends are now in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Queens, New York because they did adhere to social distancing rules in the early stages of the pandemic.

β€œMost of his friends he hangs out with, most of them are in ICU as well…it is about five mature guys who will catch up after work…apparently they weren’t that strict with the social distancing rules and masking up and all that so it’s pretty bad,” Wilkinson said.

The NY Consulate General of Guyana has created an online memorial for Guyanese who have died from COVID-19. It aims to pay tribute to those persons who would have died from the pandemic and by extension, all Guyanese in the Diaspora and at home.

So far, over 50 photos have been posted to the page of Guyanese who died from the disease in the US.

Bibi Haniffa

Ann Mariea Lawrence formerly of Phulwarie St. Better Hope Scheme, has passed on in New York. She was the wife of Daniel Simeon, daughter of Phillip Lawrence & Kunti Carib, sister of Darren, Renita, Elizabeth & Christina. grand-daughter of Dularie Buhani, mother of 2 girls, Haley (12) and Hannah (7). Ann worked at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in N.Y. for many years as a Surgical Technician. She contracted the COVID -19 being on the front line.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:

Ann Mariea Lawrence formerly of Phulwarie St. Better Hope Scheme, has passed on in New York. She was the wife of Daniel Simeon, daughter of Phillip Lawrence & Kunti Carib, sister of Darren, Renita, Elizabeth & Christina. grand-daughter of Dularie Buhani, mother of 2 girls, Haley (12) and Hannah (7). Ann worked at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in N.Y. for many years as a Surgical Technician. She contracted the COVID -19 being on the front line.

This is very sad. Young girls left without a mother.

Prashad

Third death in this family this month. Her nephew and his son passed away in New York from Covid 19 recently.


Again we are very sad to inform everyone about the passing of Hemandrie Ramprasad also known as Aunty Betty, sister of late Hari (judge), Udaipal (Baboo), Bill and Indar-Jeet Ramprasad. They belonged to Leonora, West Coast Demerara and were later relocated to Stewartville.

She left us at the age of 84.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Bibi Haniffa
@Prashad posted:

I got a friend from Ivory Coast that lives in Queens. He give me a call this afternoon to wish me a happy Easter. He told me that people dropping like flies in Queens from this flu.

Prash, given 1) the reported gravity of the situation in Queens and 2) being the kind, helpful and caring guy that you are, should you not make your way to Queens to render assistance to folks who are in dire need of assistance ? What are you waiting for ?

K

Our heartfelt condolences goes out to the entire family of this loving and respectful kid. I watched Jai Ramjas grew up around music. He love live band music, DJing and everything to do with music. He would have always attended the events with his mom and sister. Sandy Bridgmohan, Pinky Ramjas please stay strong. God is in control. May his soul rest in paradise. Condolences from the Angels Caribbean Band family.
# another one of our own taken by Covid19
#if you still thinking that this is not serious, wait until it hit one of your own.

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa

It seems a fair amount of Guyanese passed away with this virus. I wonder if they  clor someone close to them are in essential services. Many of our people, West Indians, Africans,Indians, some from the Philippines work in hospital/nursing homes in various fields, perhaps this is why so many are dying.

After/If this is ever over, these people should be looked up to instead of saying they do menial work and should be given the pay they deserve whether it's nursing,coffee shops, janitorial, they are the ones holding the fort.

cain
Last edited by cain
@Sheik101 posted:

Parshad first met Mighty Enchanter and Lady Enchanter on the ferry in 1975. They were on their way to Wakenaam  They were both good young people yet they already had like 7 kids.  That is good.  They did not waste time.  Prashad learn't then on the ferry that Mighty Enchanter knew Hindi and another language that Prashad never hear of before that is called Caribbean Hindustani.  Mighty Enchanter never told Prashad how he knew Hindi and Prashad did not ask.

Prashad
Last edited by Prashad
@cain posted:

It seems a fair amount of Guyanese passed away with this virus. I wonder if they  clor someone close to them are in essential services. Many of our people, West Indians, Africans,Indians, some from the Philippines work in hospital/nursing homes in various fields, perhaps this is why so many are dying.

After/If this is ever over, these people should be looked up to instead of saying they do menial work and should be given the pay they deserve whether it's nursing,coffee shops, janitorial, they are the ones holding the fort.

I watched a documentary where they're saying most of the patients in New York are left to rot and die because the doctors don't know how to treat them...The patients don't have separate rooms and trying to help them means passing the virus to others in the hospitals...The doctors and nurses are wearing the same gowns and masks going from patient to patient...Many of the dead are Caribbean folks...They dug a huge trench in Hart Island, Bronx and are putting coffins there...The virus in NY started with folks returning from Italy and many airport employees got infected, then it spread rapidly via the subway and stores...

FM

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