James Teddy BLACKMAN Liburd did not receive such a rousing ovation when he bowled out the Empire Cricket team, in a local club match and bagged the remarkable bowling figures of 13 overs-9 wickets for 27 runs.
This was a different occasion. It was Saturday 16th February and his mortal remains were being laid to rest at the St. Thomas’ Anglican Church’s cemetery.
BLACKMAN suffered serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident, late in December 2018 and never recovered.
He passed away on 27th January 2019.
At the thanksgiving service held in his honour, the church was jam packed and the nearby tents and grounds, were also filled with mourners.
Among those present were: Premier Mark Brantley; Hon. Alexis Jeffers Hon. Eric Evelyn and Hon. Spencer brand.
His mother; brothers; sisters; children, grandchildren and many other family members and friends, were also well represented on that day.
Included in the many tributes paid were: Kelvin TABU Dubbery out of Montserrat, who made the bold statement that BLACKMAN was a Montserratian, who lived in Nevis; The Queen City Taxi Association; the Nevis Cultural Foundation; the Masters International choir (which had support from Masters’ representatives from throughout the Leeward Islands); Wrenford Dore and his beloved Sugar Hill String band.
The service was preceded by an impressive procession from the St. Thomas’ Primary School, to the church and after the service, there was an equally impressive procession, from the church to his final resting place in the cemetery.
A glowing eulogy was presented by Pastor Dawn Jeffers.
The Masters cricketers also paid special tribute in an honour guard, complete with upraised bats, as the coffin was lifted from the church.
NTV Sports once again expresses sincerest condolences to the family of the late cultural icon.
