<!Celebration of 1Ltfe
I
Mother
Mrs. Anu:llia George
Children
Gregoty George/ Melissa
George-Dunba~
Ulissa George Dewayne George
1
Grandchildren
Ga7licad Defrietasi Zoro/ Zoran Zodon/ Zogoty Georgei Mariyah Dunba~ lahnat lharik Browni K.ajeal
Telemaquei Rajon Harrigp.ni DeMoi George
1
Eleta
Georg~
Sisters
Lucia Riviera Carmen Frith Albena lsatJ4 lennifer lames
1
1
Brothers
Edwin //Speedy~~ Alber~; Reyno/4 Kelvin Donald George
1
Sons-in-law
Orlando Dunbar & Kenrel Telemaque
Dauf}tter-in law
Velda lames-George
Uncles
Gladstone Walters Oskus Walters Carlton Wafters
1
1
Aunts
Prisci7la Vanterpool & Viola Smith
Nieces
Gloria Fahie
Coralie George
Kimberly Wafters
Shaniqua Issac
Donesha George
Shakilah George
Bob George
lason George
Corinne George
Prudencia Wafters
Laurel Frith
lanique lames
DeAshley George
Lisa George-Walton
Cecelia Wafters
Harriette Riviera
Dawn Henty
Doriel Riviera
Althea ONeal
Cami7le George
Anu:llia George
Canu:lra Issac
Annette Riviera-Als
Sharine George
Kellin George
Shiann George
Idae George
Kiana George
Akeliah George
Shertynu:le George-Brackin _Sheriece Creque-Smith
Steve George
Kenric George
Nephws
Richard Wafters
Arringlell Creque
Clifford Frith
Ethan ONeal
Ali ONeal
Robert Wafters
George Amable
Travis Isaac
Trevon Francis
]abar George
Alex George
Kimron George
Great Nieces
Anthony George
Everette Isaac ]r.
DeAndre George
Great Nephews
Great-great Niece
(49)
(50 )
Tyrone George
]ahmari lames
]ahiem George
Kevin Isaac
Albert George ]r.
Aaron George
Greatffeat Nephew
(1)
(1)
Cousins
Children of the Late Elmer George - Children of the Late Edgar & Ilva Wafters
Son of the Late Lance George - Children of the Late Arnold & A/vera Wafters
Children of the late Anderson George
Special Friends
Lydia McKenzie, Anselmo Stevens, Clement Cau~ Clive Tyson, Veme Wheat!~ Rupert Vanterpoot
Roger Maaavious, Dawn Oswa/4 Elton King Hermena Mitchelt Glennie Home & Shetyl Dossantos,
Staff Bath & Turtle, The Boys at Virgin Gorda Taxi Assodation, Past & Present Staff of Speedy's Ferry
Caregjver
Christiana Williams
Many other relative and friends too numerous to mention
Master:
Edwin George
Captains (Pallbearers)
Steve George
Donald G_eorge
Kenric George
Kelvin George
Elvino George
Dewayne Geor-ge
Crw (Honorary Pallbearers)
Louie George
Tyrone George
Re:ynold George
Albert George
Travis Issac
]eloni Willie
Deckhands (Ushers)
Cecelia Wafters, Angela
Wheatle~
Delma Harrigan, Cyrine Charles
r
Losing a loved one is the most difficult thing that anyone can go through. Today we celebrate
and remember the life of ASHFORD MELVIN GEORGE affectionately known as ~~MELLO".
In remembrance of him, family and friends took time to reflect on the precious memories of
our loved one in an upbeat manner. While we are sad he should be remembered the way he
really was.
lt was on 29th December, 1949, as daylight was fading, Amelia George and the late A/fan
George welcomed their first baby boy (of that union) into this world. He was the second child
of twelve children. ·They named him Ashford Melvin. As he grew up, not many persons knew
him as or called him Ashford. For whatever reasons, he referred to it as "an old man
name";therefore, he preferred to be called by his middle name, Melvin. Most persons called
him Mello, even though at times, when he may have been in his bad mood would tell them
that Mello was at the Wine Cellar.
His mother, Amelia, recalls that as a child he was very mischievous, but became the father
figure for his younger siblings, since their father, A/fan, spent most of the time at sea sailing.
He attended the St. Mary's School, leaving at the early age of fifteen. After leaving school he
assisted his mother with the family's cultivation and farm.
During his teenage years he worked hard. He travelled every afternoon to the Mine Hill to
bring the cows down to the bottom of the hill for water and then take them back. lt was a task
that he so despised, but he knew it was either that he follow her instructions or be disciplined
with a tamarind whip.
Throughout his childhood he loved the sea water and was a good swimmer. He insisted that
his sisters learned how to swim. In doing so he would drag them way out on a sandbank
leaving them there to swim back to shore. He never owned up to doing anything wrong, but
made sure that he had involved every other sibling, so they could get blows too. That was the
son and the brother they knew!
Melvin lived life his way, and like many of us, he was not perfect. However, when it came to his
family he would make sure that they got what they needed. He was the proud father of four
children- Greg, Melissa, Ulissa and Dewayne. He was also blessed with eleven grandchildren
and was especially fond of the ones that grew up in his home. Melvin was the historian of the
family. He remembered the birthdates of his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and other
close family members. He mentally recalled dates of when family members got married, died
or otherwise. In addition, he was kind and generous.
His niece, Dorie, describes him as a giving person. He would give his last to his children. She
recalled the many nights when he would hang out on the porch and his son, Dollars, would
come asking him for $5 or $10. Even when it was his last in his pocket, he would sacrifice
other plans and give it to him. lt was the same when his son wanted to use his cell phone to
make calls. Melvin was not selfish, because he remembered his niece every time he travelled
to North Sound by Leticia to get his fish, turtle or pork. He never returned home without
bringing ribs and johnny cake for her and chicken for his sister. Melvin loved his pork, though
at times it worked against him.
Many of us had the opportunity to choose our career path. Becoming a boat captain was not
. by choice. This profession was inherited; it was something in his blood, handed down through
generations. He followed in his fathers footsteps and that of his older brother, Edwin, who also
started the ferry service, "Speedy's", between Virgin Gorda and Tortola, and entrusted his
brother Me/vin with the job of captain. As a captain he was a no nonsense man. He sailed
Speedy's Adventure, Speedy's Delight, Speedy's Fantasy and the PeaceMaker. Being a boat
captain was a profession that he loved and took pride in. For 40 years he sailed daily up and
down the channel between Virgin Gorda, Tortola and later to St. Thomas.
On the job, he had a very serious demeanour, but if you were a passenger sitting in the
captain's room you would have heard his melodious voice. Through calm waters, raging seas
and thunderstorms, he sang as he controlled the vessel taking passengers safely to their
destination. He took pride in his job and set an example for younger captains to follow. He was
a man of time and ensured that the ferry stayed on schedule even if it meant leaving the owner
behind. On the stroke of the hour one would hear him telling the crew, 'teh we go, loose the
b~at. Lehme get the Kid boat Virgin Gorda. "He had no fear of being on the ocean.
After his retirement from the sea, he took up his old hobby of farming. He took time to clear his
aunt's land so he could plant okras, pigeon peas, pumpkin (in abundance), and several
mango trees in his yard. He would always tease his sister who was a/so his neighbour saying,
"Ah tired telling you to stop planting flowers and plant thing what you could eat." He was very
giving and made sure that from the crop he harvested he would share with~his siblings. That
was the Mello we knew!
He enjoyed spending time with his friends, playing dominoes and darts. He was great with
those sports and was a member of the Magnificent Seven Dart Team and Set lt Off Domino
Team. Because of his fear of flying he missed out on many opportunities to travel
internationally to participate in dart competitions. His belief was that only birds fly and go in
the air. He flew twice, once to his eldest daughters wedding in St. Vincent and when his niece,
Corinne, took him to Puerto Rico, years ago when he was ill. If it wasn't on a boat, he wasn't
going.
While we will miss him, the mischievous child, the family man, the boat captain, the comedian,
the father, the farmer, our friend, we know that he is in a resting place where there is no more
pain and no more sorrow. May His Soul Rest In Peace.