Colin Beckford

Viewing Welcome Overseer David Livingston Opening Prayer Dean Harvey Hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ Scripture Reading John 14:1-3

Grandson Micah Herring

Solo Song Caroline Harvey Special Tribute Family Member - Vincent Harvey Work Colleague - Louise Wynters Hymn

‘It is well with my soul’

Special Tribute

Tamara Walker

Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 15: 50-58

Orville Harvey

Special Tribute Friend - Donald Wong Friend - Balfour Richards Eulogy Linton Thomas and Jacqueline Wilson-Thomas Special Tribute

Ashley Leon Beckford

Sermon Overseer David Livingston Song Granddaughters Zariah-Marie Akingbade and Arliyah-Rose Akingbade Closing Prayer Milton Harvey Pallbearers walking out to ‘Cruising by Smokey Robinson.

Colin used to play this song to Joan

REMEMBERING MY BROTHER COLIN

We are left grieving your too soon departure my brother, yet your presence remains quietly comforting my grief. Your joyful smile, your encouraging words and your often wise counsel are cherished memories which I will have forever. You continue to fill me with hope and cheer even as I mourn our loss. I feel your presence and your influence in everyday activities. My memory of your kindness and goodness is sometimes conflicting as they both intensify and mitigate my grief. In my weakest moments I still hear your voice with that sweet cockney accent saying, “It’s OK Ladd”. This makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time because I miss you so much.

I understand that this precious but short journey called life has the same destination for everyone. You have demonstrated to me, and everyone you touched that it’s not the quantity of our lifespan but the quality. I know that lunch time will never be the same, that the hunger preventing granola bar will no longer be hidden in your desk, or the little squirrel you adopted will be missing his daily peanut treat. I will however honor your memory by emulating your acts of kindness and try to be a joy to others as you were to so many. I know your family already knows this, but I want to reassure them that despite your selflessness, they were always your paramount priority. I remember how Joan’s phone call during lunch would always make you smile. When Ashley or Nicole would facetime, I would always stick my head in the conversation just to get some of the joy. I remember how much of a peacemaker you were at work, and your tireless efforts to ensure the success of the students you assisted. But most of all I remember you as a true friend and an honorable man. Sleep in celestial peace my brother until we meet again.

Lloyd Holness

If I was to describe Colin, I would say he was extremely kind and loyal, had a great sense of humour, calm under pressure, a fantastic problem solver and a computer wizard!

I first met Colin when I was 16 years old. I had just moved from Jamaica to England and he was a teacher at the school I attended. He soon took me under his wings, giving me additional mathematics and ICT lessons, as these were subjects I struggled with. Colin also gave me my first job at his catering company and this sparked my love and passion for cookery, which has stayed with me to this very day.

Colin was one of the few people I could always count on for support and guidance as adjusting to the English lifestyle was difficult at times. He made me feel like I was part of his family, always welcoming and supportive.

As long as I live, I shall never forget what Colin did for me and the significant impact that he had on my life. I shall forever hold a special place in my heart for him and though I will miss him dearly, I take some comfort in knowing that he is in a better place and at peace. I can never thank you enough for helping me to understand that family isn’t about blood but where you belong. - God rest his soul From Mobojah (Buju) Clennon Colin, thank you for the beautiful memories and the never-ending love - I miss you. I am already missing the everyday chats we use to have about our favourite things, your love of Liverpool Football Club and my love of Chelsea.

All the great memories we had from being at school, to our first computer class together, they all brought me comfort. I will miss that smile and those jangling keys. You were one of the kindest people I knew, always giving to others and not thinking about yourself. Your generosity knew no bounds, you were a shining example of strength, courage and kindness - I miss you Colin.

Although I will not be there, I am thinking of you every day that passes - Rest in Peace Love cousin Neville Carpenter

My Nephew

To our dear Colin, my beloved Nephew, It is so sad for me to be writing this tribute to you. I have told you over and over how much I love and care for you and this will never change. It breaks my heart to know that I am not going to hear your voice or see you again.

Words can’t explain the way I am feeling.

Sleep on, my precious Nephew, sleep on until we meet again in glory land.

Love you my dear Colin. From your Aunt Pet.

C

olin Donovan Beckford was born on 5th May 1959 to Violet and Huntley Beckford. His parents left Jamaica and immigrated to England in the Windrush era for a better life, with a plan to send for him as soon as they were established.

From the age of 3 months Colin was raised by his beloved Grandmother, known as Aunt Rose. He cherished his relationship with her so much that he later gave his granddaughter her name. He lived with his Grandmother in Gibraltar St. Ann with his extended family of Aunts and Uncles, as well as cousins Melrose, Marlene, Sharon, Winston and Tony, who were all raised together as siblings. His Uncle Vincent was a father figure, who Colin adored and respected so much, he also named his son after him.

At the age of 16, Colin went to England and lived with his Mother and Father in London. This is when he met his sisters Veneta, Karen and his brother Orville for the first time. They later formed a successful family business called ‘Beckford Catering’.

Colin attended Southwark College and formed lifelong friendships with Donald, Luke, Ernest and Stephen. They eventually became Godparents to his children. Colin was also a committed Godparent to Myles, Miranda, Liam, Jamal and Mikey.

Colin’s first job was working at Burger King in Leicester Square, London where he first met and fell in love with Deborah. They were married for 15 years and had two beautiful children Nicole-Marie and Ashley. He loved his children dearly, and as a family they enjoyed wonderful holidays in Barbados and Jamaica.

On one of his holidays to Jamaica Colin returned to his old primary school and met his Principal Miss Frater. She introduced Colin as a “Star Student‘ and arranged for him to give a speech to the pupils at the school. Later on Colin became a Mathematician teacher at a school in London for vulnerable children. He did his best to help them adjust and become successful individuals.

As a youngster, before Colin left Jamaica, he met Joan at Dinthill High School in St Catherine. One day at school as they walked through the school yard together, Colin told Joan he liked her and gave her a kiss. The next week he suddenly left for England and Joan never saw him again.

Years later, Colin attended a school reunion fundraiser in Jamaica where he began enquiring about Joan through mutual friends. He always wondered where Joan was and questioned her whereabouts every time he visited Jamaica. Colin managed to track her down and asked Grace (Joan’s Mother) for her number. He finally made contact and as the saying goes “the rest was history”.

In May 2009 Colin married his childhood sweetheart Joan Wilson and he moved to Florida. He quickly became part of the Wilson family who all loved and accepted him with ease. Colin became a Father to Joans beautiful children Shelli-Ann and Britney who all formed loving relationships.

Colin thoroughly enjoyed working at Broward College where he was an IT Coordinator for the college of nursing. It was his role to ensure the students were compliant to be nursing professionals. He had a passion for helping and would go out of his way to ensure he did his best for the students to succeed.

Colin also had an IT service business called ‘NiColAsh Repairs’, which is a merge of his and his children’s names. He greatly enjoyed this work and formed many friendships with people who became his extended family. He found pleasure in solving computer problems and saw it as an honour to help others. He was a gifted and skilled man with a sharp mind, whose personality was witty and intelligent.

Colin was an exceptional loving, kind and compassionate person. He was warm and had an infectious smile that drew people to him. He was a thoughtful and positive person who always looked at the bright side of life. Many would say he was a ‘True Gentleman’, someone who would go far and beyond to help others. He always wanted to meet the needs of the less fortunate as one of his most common phrases was ‘Who can we help now in Jamaica?’.

Colin was a keen gardener, an interest he picked up from his Father. He planted and reaped ackee’s, mangos, plums and pineapples from his labour and would generously share them with others. His most precious flowers are the bluebells he planted at the front of his home. This was his beloved Grandmother’s favourite, hence became his favourite colour. In the language of flowers the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love - all the traits that he possessed.

Colin sadly passed away at home holding his wife’s hand on Thursday, July 6th, 2023. He was 64 years old and leaves behind his wife, 2 children, 2 stepchildren and 5 grandchildren.

Colin, we marvel at your generosity and we celebrate your strength. The real difficulty is saying goodbye to our friend, and to the part of ourselves that only existed in you.

Colin Donovan Beckford, you will be greatly missed and gone much too soon.

Sleep in heavenly peace Written by Nicole-Marie Beckford

BRAIN CANCER AWARENESS SCAN TO LEARN MORE

Colin sadly died from a rare brain cancer called Glioblastoma. It’s a fast growing and aggressive brain tumor that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord.

His symptoms were short term memory loss and then at a later stage migraines. Glioblastoma tends to occur more often in men than women. It’s primarily diagnosed at older ages, with a median age at diagnosis of 64 years.

Before Colin passed away, he was on the verge of working with DUKE University in trialling new groundbreaking research in brain cancer treatments - There is still hope!

Symptoms and signs • Loss of short /long term memory • Headaches • Seizures • Changes in mental function, mood or personality • Changes in speech • Sensory changes • Loss of balance or coordination • Changes in pulse and breathing rates Things you can do right now to help prevent • Stay on top of cancer screenings • Avoid weight gain and aim for moderate-intensity physical activity each week • Avoid alcohol, red and processed meats • Increase plant-based foods • Cut out sugar-sweetened beverages • Don’t smoke

Thank You

Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair.

Perhaps you sent those beautiful flowers, that we saw sitting there.

Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say.

Perhaps you viewed the service from miles away or the comfort of your living room.

Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day.

Whatever you did to console our hearts we thank you so much for whatever part.

We deeply appreciate your kind expression of sympathy in our time of great sorrow.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

PALLBEARERS Ashley Beckford Myles Scott Orville Harvey Donald Wong Carlos Herring Leonard Williams Orville Beckford