Published 13 July 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News
Memorial Service for Poesy Southwell on Sunday in New Jersey; One tentatively planned for St. Kitts early August
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 13TH 2017 – A memorial service for the late Poesy Southwell, a son of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir. C. A. Paul Southwell, will be held in St. Kitts in early August, a family spokesman said.
Rustum Southwell, a brother of Poesy said a memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at VFW Bogota, New Jersey from 12:00 – 4:00pm,
Poesy died peacefully at the age of 73 on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 6:15pm at the CareOne Teaneck nursing facility after an extended illness.
“Cardinal A. Poesy Southwell was born in Irishtown, Basseterre, Saint Kitts on May 21, 1944 to Rt. Excellence Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell and Gladys A. (Sargeant) Southwell and he was her eldest child. He will be reunited with his parents and sisters Jessica, Clio and brother, Von Rebop and son Dillon, now in eternal peace,” said Rustum.
In a fitting tribute posted on his FaceBook page, Rustum said Poesy maintained a positive spirit and outlook on life, he preferred others to laugh than to fret with worry.
“He nourished the people around him with his faith, humour, love and patience. He was an engaging person with a larger-than-life and memorable personality. He was born into a political family and politics on behalf of the masses and the Labour Party was his life’s passion.
In his early years, he was an outstanding and gifted athlete in Track and Field and an exceptional soccer (football) player who represented the St. Kitts, Nevis National Football Team and was a founding member of the perennial league champions, Santos Football Club. He studied the arts in Grammar School and spoke three languages. Poesy was a natural talent who began playing the tenor saxophone without ever taking a music lesson,” said Rustum.
He said after immigrating to the United States in the late 1960s, Poesy began a career in telecommunications with Bell, which later brought him to create his own company focusing on international energy conservation, development and provisioning, communications, construction, food security, pharmaceuticals, public health and affordable housing. In the end, he had found his entrepreneurial calling.
Left to honour Poesy and remember his love are his three children, Crispin Southwell, Marissa (Southwell) Josiah and Brandon Southwell and three grandchildren; Shaquille Southwell, Shamari Southwell and Naomi Josiah; his sisters Cerene Johnson, Lorenza Smith, Pixie, Clytie, Vicki and brothers Dermot (Alison), Rustum (Gracey) and Shakespeare and many nieces and nephews.
He disclosed that memorial services will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at VFW Bogota, NJ from 12:00- 4:00pm, and again currently being finalised for Thursday 3, or Friday 4, August (tentative) at (Methodist Church) in Basseterre, Saint Kitts.
“These were his last wishes. The family would also like to extend our gratitude to outpouring of support and kindness during this trying time. Poesy will always be remembered as a bright, shining light in the various communities and businesses he served. Poesy was a fighter to the end and his spirit is with us. We celebrate his spirit and tenacity. Suffering from survival no more!,” said Rustum, who disclosed that the body has been cremated.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards Poesy’s going home services via Paypal.com to[email protected]
