Basseterre St. Kitts (May 10, 2010) -- Vernon Roy Connor learnt of a mistake he made 35 years ago on Saturday May 8 at a function held at the St. Johnson Community Centre to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Connor who migrated from Anguilla over 50 years ago and settled in St. Kitts was tickled by the revelation made by his friend Clement Gilbert with whom they worked for many years in the sugar industry. The humorous revelation elicited hearty laughter from family and friends who had gathered to honour the newly inducted nonagenarian with an exclusive dinner.
Clement Gilbert of Tabernacle, who was accompanied by his wife, Mary, told how the two worked in the sugar industry, with him as a locomotive driver and Connor as a controller of the railways. Connor retired in 1990 on attaining age 70, while Gilbert retired in 2001. The incident happened in about 1975 where without knowing Connor left his friend stranded without transport to go home.
“He was a very good friend, however there is one thing he did once but he does not even know because I have never mentioned up to this time,” said Gilbert as the audience paid maximum attention. “I used to drive locomotives and he used to control the railways. He sent me out and when I returned he sent me back, but when I reached Canada the locomotive that was going my way left, and in those days getting to Tabernacle was real a big issue.”
Guests to the birthday dinner were welcomed to the function by Leslie Connor, manager of the YES Programme and a son of the celebrant, while the master of ceremonies was another of the sons, Rev Errol Connor from the US Virgin Islands.
Also in attendance was the celebrant’s brother, John, from Anguilla, who told the audience that Vernon Connor was the third of his mother’s fifteen children, adding: “I am the fourteenth one. Vernon left home and came here and settled down. Now the Connors are here too.”
Supervisor of Social Services in the Ministry of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Anne Wigley, while presenting a fruit basket from the ministry observed that Connor is still a very strong man, able to walk straight without aid because he worked hard in his life.
“He looks younger than his 90 years as he is still able to stand and walk upright,” commented Wigley. “I realise from doing my work that persons who are looking like him and who worked very hard are rewarded because working hard is a medicine -- it don’t kill you. Nowadays people feel like if they work very hard it will kill them… no! Working hard is a good medicine, it keeps you fit, and the fear of God is very much so in your life.”
