Randolph Augustus Cambridge Neblett’s life can be compared to an electrifying novel. The first chapter began with his birth. Therein, we note that he was born to George and Caroline Cambridge-Neblett on December 4, 1921 in Broad Street Charlestown Georgetown, Guyana.
Turning the pages of this novel…Randolph attended Ketley School where he graduated and joined the Volunteer Force. He did not like it there much hence, he took up employment as a Stevedore Worker on the water front and later became a Forman. He was employed there for many years until his retirement.
Fast forwarding though the pages of Randolph’s life…he dated and married the late Waveney Elaine Neblett and from this union came off spring. They are as follows: Patrick, George, Randolph Jr., Clifford, Godfrey, Pam, Dawn, Lynette and Genet, Linda Graham, Chanis Adams and Marcel Kellman. He became the Father-in-law of Patrick Adams, Courtney Kellman and the late Veronica Neblett. Grandfather of Cheryl Ann, Ann, Roxanne, Carol, Yolanda, Joann, Latoya, Stacey, Rosalind and 23 others. He was also blessed with 25 Great Grand kids and 2 Great Great Grand’s. Uncle to Ivor, Frank and 25 others and many great nieces and nephews. Brother of Ivan and the late Ivy Wyatt, Hildrena Marshall and Philbert.
Randolph Augustus Cambridge-Neblett passed away on Saturday March 28, 2009 at the Peninsula Hospital Far Rockaway Queens, New York at 5:40 pm with his children at his bedside. The cause of death….Cardio Pulmonary (pul-mo-nary) Arrest due to an Ischemic (is-ke-mic) Stroke.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through, so much more if it is your parent. No words can express what I am feeling right now and I’m sure only time can help me accept the fact. My father was one of those hard working fathers that always got his way. His words were the law in our house. I used to fear him but I never thought he was already teaching me one of the most valuable lessons in life, standing up for what you believe in. As I grew older, I slowly understood why he treated us like that. I also discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. I learned that the most important thing that he had was us, his family. At times we would hear him say and I quote..” I have good children”. Yes my dad was really proud of us and what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him. As most of you may know my father never showed his feelings. You would only see that look that told you that you did something great, and seeing him like that made you feel like you owned the world.
I remember when we were little our father found time to comb our hair, gave us a shower, cook for us even though he made much noise with the pot spoon against the aluminum pot and sprinkling water on the floor after washing his hands as he go. He was very strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us. Never could we bring anything in the home that we could not account for and if it was borrowed, we had to return it immediately. Yes, borrowing was a NO…NO in our home. We were not allowed to visit friends but friends were allowed to visit us. My dad always said “Let your friends come here you are not going there”. Hence, our home was always filled with friends. In our front yard was a large fruit (dunce) tree…daddy built benches under the tree so that we can sit there and chit-chat with our friends. My older brothers played dominos and cards with their friends there, making much noise, when young ladies passed by they would whistle/or call out to them from there…yes the tree with its shade and the benches that daddy built was safe haven for us since we were able to enjoy the cool gentle breeze and the feel the warm glow of the sun as it trickled through its leaves. We just loved it there!!! Hence, there was no need for us to visit friends but rather for friends to visit us. My dad made sure of that!!!
352 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme was our home…it is filled with lots of childhood memories. Daddy was a man of many words…the big ones…if you know what I mean. Let me give you an example: He would often say when discussing any topical issues with
us and I quote “Allow me to elucidate and pontificate”,.. when he could have simply say “Allow me to clarify or explain what I mean… He often boasted that he was a great boxer the best dance-man ever of his day.
To his friends he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple. He never asked anybody for help but he was a very generous man, and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped he simply helped.
He showed strength until the end and still had some enlightening words for us. I promise that I will continue what my father has started. I know I’ll be filling huge shoes but with your help I think I can do it. Let’s just remember that my dad lived a full life….87+ years, Indeed, he was blessed with longevity. Reminds me of what the Psalmist said in (Psalm 90:10) . . .“In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; And if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, Yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; For it must quickly pass by, and away we fly“. Nevertheless, it is my belief and strong conviction that I will have the privilege of seeing dad again…for (Acts 24:15) the Apostle Peter said,,, “and I have hope toward God, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous“. It is that hope that burns brightly in me, and will assist us during this mournful period of our lives, The time will come when Jehovah will restore us to our lost loved ones, when there’s no more sorrowing, no more weeping,
no more pain…when daddy will not need his wheel chair that he grew to depend on so much due to arthritis…but will be able to climb up just as a stag does and his heart will be strong again. What a delightful time for us all to look forward to.
Sadly, we have come to the conclusion of this novel….A new one is on the printing press….TO BE CONTINUED.
Thank you.