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It is with regret we advise family, friends and well wishers that at 1704 hours Eastern Standard Time on October 7, 2011, Wendell McKenzie Christian took his last salute and succumbed to illness that he had fought with great tenacity. He gave his service in the World War II campaign for freedom against fascism as an infantry man in the British Army’s South Caribbean Forces, served with honor in the, Dominica Forestry Service, Royal Dominica Police Force, and was seconded to begin the building of the modern Dominica Fire Service in 1953, rising to the rank of Station Officer. In the 1930s he was the mandolin player on The Christian Family Orchestra made up of HL Christian, LM Christian and Ruby Christian. His older brother LM Christian went on to author the musical score to Dominica’s national anthem “Isle of Beauty;” his oldest brother HL served his country honorably as minister of education and health for several years and up to the independence of Dominica. His creed was honor, duty, and disciplined service to the country he loved. His soul keeps marching on. Details on funeral arrangements to follow.
We thank all those who have shared kind words of support during this difficult time.
A tribute to him can be seen below at:
The Root has not died
It has only moved closer to the Centre of all Things
While the Branches reach ever upwards.
Sincere condolences to the entire Christian Family
From
Alwin and Anita
And, Gabe, my sincerest condolences to your immediate and extended family. I realize that this man, this Hero, your Dad, this Dominican, was the icon that inspired all of your literary works directed at the military establishment. He served well in and out of service, and surely was more valuable out of service than in the days of his youth. Fading gracefully into the sunset of life and into the Arms of Our Creator is his righteous reward. May God Bless Him, indeed, and receive him unto Himself!!
Gabe:
As someone who walked in and out of his house on Didier Lane back in the day, I remember him as a classy, smiling, kind hearted gentleman with a generous disposition always willing to offer inspiring words of encouragement and advice. In his memory, I lean on the poet Shelley who penned these immortal words on the Death Of his friend John Keats many moons ago:
I weep for Adonais – he is dead!
Oh, weep for Adonais! though our tears
Thaw not the frost which binds so dear a head!
And thou, sad Hour, selected from all years
To mourn our loss, rouse thy obscure compeers,
And teach them thine own sorrow, say: “With me
Died Adonais; till the Future dares
Forget the Past, his fate and fame shall be
An echo and a light unto eternity!”
Be comforted that He rests in peace.
Our sincere condolences to your Mom and the rest of the family.
Gabe,
My family wishes yours all the blessings and strengths possible as you go through this difficult phase. We shall continue by telephone soon.
Peter
Gabe
Let me add my voice to the chorus that I am sure will ring in coming days in celebration of your father’s life and his legacy and also the legacy of the entire Christian family for the template they have set for patriotism and honour in service of country.
Yours is a truly remarkable family and your father’s passing is a veritable milestone.
Please accept my condolences.
JBS
Gabrielle,
Sincrest condolenses to yo and your immediate and extended family..
My prayers and that of my family are wil you all ..
Dominica has lost a dear, disciplined, honourable and civic minded man…..
God Bless
PD
Gabe my sincerest condolences to you on the passing on your beloved and admired father. I know you will take much pride in celebrating his life! An interesting life that was!
Dear Gabriel,
I am sorry to hear the news of your father’s passing . My thoughts and those of my children are with you at this time. The Christian brothers have played significant roles in my family’s life, and hearing of the passing of another brother evokes a greater sense of loss.
Please accept our sympathy as we pray for your continued strength to face the challenges of life, and as we watch your own life progress in the worthy footsteps of your forebears in contributing to the advancement mankind’s civilization.
Blessings and Peace,
Mona George-Dill
Gabe
I am very sorry to hear of your father’s death. I saw him on your utube presentation in his later years and he struck me even then as a vibrant and incisive individual who has contributed much to Dominica and its image. Please accept sincere condolences from Margaret and I for yourself and your family.
Dave
Hi Gabe,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing-away of your beloved father. He was and is an exemplary gentleman whose achievements should be widely circulated. May his soul RIP.
God Bless.
Vincent
Vincent M John
Hi Gabe,
My sincere condolences on the passing on your father. The character that he fought to instill in his children is the legacy that he leaves behind and all of you can be proud that he was your dad.
God bless you and yours as you reflect on the full and productive life of one whom we all lovingly knew and respectfully referred to as Mr. Christian.
Creswell & family.
Dear Gabe
Please accept my hearty condolences on the loss of your father.
As I believe Dawn mentioned to you in her text on Friday, I am currently reading “For King and Country” as it is Black History Month in the UK. There was much that I was unaware of.
May your father find eternal rest with his ancestors in that home, not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens. May your (and your family’s) grief subside with the effluxion of time.
With deepest sympathy
Darren J. Sylvester
Chairman, The Dominica Overseas Nationals Association (D.O.N.A.)
Dear Gabe
Please accept my Deepest Sympathy on the loss of your dear father. My Condolences to the extended Christian family who have contributed much in public, voluntary and community service in the interests of and for the benefit of Dominica and Dominicans.
Keep strong, stay safe and keep looking up!
Kindest regards
David
Dear Captain Christian,
My sincerest condolences are extended to you and the rest of the Christian Family on the passing of this generous and great Dominican. May his soul and that of all the Faithful departed Rest In Peace.
Nicholas George
Retired Superintendent of Police
Gabu,
Heart-felt sympathy and sincere condolences from my family and home to yours. May all your hearts be comforted with only the comfort that God gives.
May your dad rest in peace.
Frances E BELLOT
Bellefran.;)
Gabu,
Sincere sympathies to you and your entire family on the passing of your dad.
May the Most High continue to strengthen the family at this time. May he
R.I.P
Best Regards,
Hector
Gabriel,
Please accept my sympathy.
Ron Abraham.
Broder gabe,
My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of a stalwart. I know what it is to lose a Daddy. It will be ok. Time is the healer of all wounds.
Blessings peace and love to you and your family, brothers and sisters.
one love. regards.
Peter/Claudette