BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT was an afternoon of remembrance and reflection on Wednesday, June 6, as Kevin Kurt Donovan a.k.a. Masud Sadiki and A Stitch in Time, a man who had brought so much joy to those he had encountered, was laid to rest.
The 37-year-old talented and gifted reggae and soca artiste was found hanging by the neck from a tree along a track aback Old Road. Police investigations into his death had revealed that no foul play was involved.
The funeral service was held at the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral (ICCC) and began at 1:00 p.m. where mourners flocked the inside and outside of the church where there were tents.
Many persons of all walks of life including Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian and members of parliament, government officials, Nevis Island Administration officials, businessmen and school children attended.
Tributes were mainly given in song or dance and were from the ICCC Senior and Youth Choirs, CFBC Dance Ensemble and Creative Soul, Precious Gem’s Pre-School, the school his son Asafa attends and the Immaculate Conception Catholic School where his daughter attends.
Memorable performances came from British Dependency a band based in Anguilla and Donovan’s own Limitless Band.
Sharon Rattan, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Gender Affairs, spoke of knowing the artiste when she taught at the Basseterre High who was shy at first but grew to become an entertaining performer at school shows.
Creighton Pencheon, Director of Culture, said that Donovan had a sense of humour and was well known for playing tricks on his friends.
He said on the other hand, Donovan was a private person and felt that he could talk to a person for hours and that person would leave the conversation not knowing much about him.
“He believed in family time,” Pencheon said.
In describing how he first met his wife, Charmaine, Donovan had said in the media that she came into his mother’s shop wearing a frock, Pencheon recalled that time which brought light laughter from the attendees.
On the booklet, his wife stated that his sudden departure rocked her world and left inexplicable emptiness in her very being.
“You were my soul mate; between us, no secrets were held. I was your Empress and you were my Emperor. We had a bright orange-coloured future ahead of us; raising our blessed prince and princess and growing old together,” she stated.
His mother, Ingrid Rawlins, whom Donovan was said to have admired for being strong and raising him on her own, she stated in the leaflet that their last moments and conversations will be etched in her mind.
His pall bearers were Marcello Andy Agard, Zack Nisbett, Hakeem Samuel, Gregory Warner, Darrell Williams and Darren Williams.
He leaves to mourn his wife and two children, his mother, his father Epoleet Donovan, his sisters - Ivana Williams and Raquel Donovan, his brothers - Darren Williams and Jahmal Donovan and friends who were like brothers - Jazzique Chiverton and Hakeem Samuel.
Internment was held at the Springfield Cemetery, following a procession through Basseterre.
During his career musical career Donovan had released three albums and several hit singles, including ‘Love for me Mama’, ‘A Wonder How’, ‘Log Out’ and ‘Count Your Blessings’.
With a voice like no other, a perfectionist, an excellent performer, kind-hearted and inspirational, Kevin ‘Masud Sadiki’ Donovan was truly an exceptional musical icon, a role model a friend whom everyone had grown to love, whether just by a simple encounter, whether as a result of conversing with him or through witnessing his live performance.
St. Kitts and Nevis has lost a very special person. He was one of a kind. May his soul rest in peace.
