Guy Benjamin (Benji) and Charlie deyalsingh (Trinidad Charlie) at Benji's 96th birthday party

Yesterday St. John’s primary culture bearer, Guy Benjamin celebrated his 96th birthday, surrounded by family friends and admirers. The event took place at Fred’s in Cruz Bay where “Benji,” as he was affectionately known, would often come to play dominoes and talk story.

“Guy H. Benjamin was born in East End, St. John. He was the first St. Johnian to graduate from the Charlotte Amalie High School on St. Thomas. He received his bachelors degree from Howard University and his masters degree from New York University. Upon returning to the Virgin Islands, he dedicated himself to a career in education. In recognition of his contribution to education in the Virgin Islands, the name of the Benjamin Franklin School was changed to the Guy H. Benjamin School by the Virgin Island legislature.

Guy Benjamin, is also the author of Me and My Beloved Virgin, a book of memoirs of St. John in times gone by.”

From the foreword of St. John Off the Beaten Track

Some among the well-wishers offered some stories and reminiscences. Ira January, a long time friend of Guy Benjamin sang a beautiful and very special happy birthday song. I managed to remember a line of lyrics that stuck in my head:

Ira January sings "Happy Birthday Guy Benjamin"

“… God Bless You, Guy Benjamin,
Hope I live as long as him…”

This entry was posted on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 9:14 am and is filed under St. John USVI, St. John Virgin Islands. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.