BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ACCORDING to the Holy Bible, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty…”, but that was not to be for 18-year-old J’Anthon Chrivon Arthur Silliday, whose untimely passing has left a void in the hearts of many.
On the early morn of Saturday, September 28, 1013, a pall of gloom had not only hovered over the Green Tree Housing Project in Old Road where he lived, but the entire twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis as news of his demise spread like wildfire.
Fondly known as ‘Bounty’, J’Anthon was the last of five children born to Patricia ‘Jessie’ Bernier and Clinton ‘Kago’ Silliday.
Though I have never met J’Anthon personally or had the opportunity to communicate with him, I was witness to a few of his achievements and made aware of his exploits as a national junior athlete.
He was a ‘star’ that brightly shone even in daylight and was deemed a superior athlete who had touched the lives of many with his loving spirit.
According to Glenville Jeffers, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Athletic Association (SKNAAA), “J’Anthon was a part of the revolutionary process of bringing attention to the field events. He was a very ambitious and goal-oriented young man with plans of excelling in the sport. He had an affable personality and was well-liked by athletes, coaches and members of the Association alike. We were all deeply saddened by the news of his passing.”
Another reputable individual who spoke glowingly of the late athlete is Evris Huggins, Public Relations Officer of the SKNAAA.
Huggins, who had known J’Anthon even before he had excelled on the track and field, noted that during his formative years, the teenager had enrolled at the Tyrell Williams Primary School, where a “solid friendship had developed among his best friend Travis, cousin Tori and his brother from another mother, IG. The guys were very recreational with football being their principle sport”.
He noted that through J’Anthon’s passion for and envious skill at football, he was awarded the Most Outstanding Goalkeeper in the Primary School Tournament prior to graduating from that level of his education career in July 2007.
“In September 2007, he enrolled at the Verchild’s High School, where he became a very popular student for his charisma and natural sense of comedy, loved by both teachers and students alike. Teachers like Justin Moses, Eunice Greenaway and Shermin Stevens were some of his favorites,” Huggins said.
The PRO explained that during J’Anthon’s years of study at that school, he became fond of track and field and began experimenting with different disciplines.
“He then became a member of the S.L. Horsford’s Pace Setters Track Club and was guided and mentored by the Club’s President, teacher, neighbour and coach, Lonzo Wilkinson Sr., and the two of them created a chemistry that zeroed in on the principle characteristic of his legacy…the Javelin Throw.”
“Javelin was his new passion! In his eyes, his life had just begun,” Huggins added.
In order to improve on his new-found passion with the aim of attaining qualifying standards for regional and international athletic competitions, J’Anthon had competed in many development meets around St. Kitts and also at the Silver Jubilee Stadium.
His efforts bore fruits; for in 2011 he became the second male athlete in the Federation’s history to attain a qualifying standard in the Boys Javelin Throw at the CARIFTA Games.
“He later went on to compete at the Games in Jamaica and won a bronze medal, accompanying his new teammate and friend Adrian Williams, who won the gold medal with a new CARIFTA Games record. It was an all-round victory for J’Anthon as his cousin Toriano also won a bronze medal in the Boys High Jump,” Huggins said.
From that performance, the Federation had seen the birth of a star. A star who went on to represent his country at the Commonwealth Youth Games at the Isle of Man in 2011, CARIFTA Games in Bermuda in 2012, Central America and Caribbean Junior ‘A’ and ‘B’ Championships in El Salvador in 2012, CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas in 2013, Leeward Islands Junior Championships in Tortola in 2013, OECS Invitational in St. Kitts in 2013, and the PAN American Junior Championships held in Colombia also in 2013.
Huggins noted that all of J’Anthon’s ambassadorial appearances were alongside his close friend and teammate Adrian Williams. “The duo eventually became the seniors amongst the junior athletes, superseding the others for their wealth of experience, competition discipline and maturity. Adrian was always looked upon as the team captain, while J’Anthon supported him as the vice-captain. They were often called upon by management to motivate and pull the team together in a manner which could only have been done at an athlete’s level.”
That friendship had blossomed to one whereby Williams would spend weekends and sometimes weeks at J’Anthon’s home on his visits from Nevis. They were like two peas in the same pod.
J’Anthon was the defending Leeward Islands Junior Javelin Champion and was very actively involved in his athletic club.
According to Huggins, “His influence in the club boosted the confidence of his teammates and became the-club-to-beat at the National Invitational and Club Championships. As the defending National Javelin Champion, his club once again won the National Invitational and Club Championships in June 2013. J’Anthon’s performance registered a personal best which and was the first time he eclipsed the 60-meter barrier, throwing a distance of 60.24 meters.”
J’Anthon was a focused and gold-oriented young man whose ambition, apart from being a professional athlete, was to become a pilot.
With that goal in mind, he first had to be qualified academically. Therefore, in September 2013, he had enrolled at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College. However, as fate would have it, his earthly time was drawing nigh.
As explained by Huggins: “J’Anthon returned from the PAN American Junior Games on Tuesday 27th August 2013. I received a message from him the following day asking me the favor to take Adrian to the ferry terminal on my way to work the following morning. I fulfilled his request that morning. While assisting Adrian with his luggage at the house, there was no sign of J’Anthon. ‘Where is he,’ I asked Adrian. ‘He’s on the couch sleeping,’ was the response. I jokingly responded, ‘I will awake him to announce my presence.’”
Huggins said he saw him awake but he looked tired.
“He appeared woozy but I assumed he was still suffering from jetlag. There was a piece of bread on his chest that he wasn’t eating, which was strange because we all know J’Anthon didn’t play with food. Before leaving the house I picked up the bread and threw it at him, expecting it to missile back towards me, but he ignored it. I assumed he was simply tired.’”
Huggins further explained that he received a text message from J’Anthon on Sunday (Sept. 1) informing him that the young athlete was feeling ill and had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance.
“I tried contacting him with no response. He later informed me that he was in the hospital. I visited him and told him that he will be fine. I was convinced that he would be okay. After his discharge, he asked me to take him to church the following Sunday. After picking him up, his mom shouted to me, ‘Make sure he drinks his water.’ I told her I won’t be in church with him. However, I took the time to lecture him about remaining hydrated. He gave a usual nonchalant expression that he’s ignoring my advice…but we all know that like any young person, he would listen regardless.
“At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday 27th September 2013, he informed me via text that he was hospitalised again. I was able to visit the hospital where he was in the presence of his parents, Bevecia, Akeem and later Aunt Sharon. We kept him jolly for as long as we could.
“He was joined that evening by other loved ones, including aunts, cousins, friends, club members, members of the athletic and football fraternity, and also by Parliamentary Representative and Minister of Sport the Honorable Glenn Phillip. Everyone offered prayers and support. He was surrounded by nothing but love up until his departure.”
J’Anthon was pronounced dead at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Saturday (Sept. 28) in the Intensive Care Unit of the JNF General Hospital and a Candle Light Vigil was held in his honour on the following evening on the lawns of the Green Tree Housing Project.
Approximately eight weeks before he died, J’Anthon had decided to dedicate his life to the Lord. He made that commitment at a church called Destiny International in the presence of his special friend Bavicia Clarke.
Huggins declared that J’Anthon’s death had taught him a life-long lesson.
“J’Anthon’s death has taught me the importance of understanding my role with my limited time on earth. It is only after his death I understand how much I actually meant to him as a mentor. I would like to thank him for letting me know him and having an impact on his life. His death has also taught me as a young leader to be mindful of my influence, as we never know the silent impact we have on bystanders.”
J’Anthon was laid to rest on Thursday (Oct. 10) at the St. Thomas Anglican Church Cemetery in Middle Island following a Home-Going Service at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, which was officiated by the Reverend Xuan Ho.
Among those left to mourn his passing are: his mother and father; grandmother Louisa Cranston; sister Darneisha Williams; brothers Yakimba Bernier, Dornel Bernier and Anthony Silliday; brother-in-law Clovis Williams; nieces Darnye ‘Blossom’ Williams, Shakimba Huggins, Dorniqua Bernier and Gabriella Cox; nephews Danique Dasent, Jayden Bernier, Tiquanny Williams, Dijourn Williams, Quanel Williams, Samuel Nunez, Yakimba Bernier Jr., Ryan Edwards and Aniquan Silliday; and special friend Bevicia Clarke.
The management and staff of SKNVibes join with the nation in extending sincerest sympathy to the parents and family members of the late J’Anthon Chrivon Arthur Silliday, a.k.a. ‘Bounty’.
