delivered by Vernon Card; written by C.B. Hyde
He was born on the 17th June, 1922, the third child and second son of his parents, Wilfred Hildebrandt Thomas Belisle, and wife, Eva Maud, nee Lindo. They named him Lewis George, his first name being the same as one chosen for a half brother who named himself BE-LISLE, with the accent on the first syllable. But the similar first names of the two brothers was of no consequence, because when Lewis G was old enough to attend the movies, he named himself “Buck Jones” after the famous Western movie star, and Buck Belisle is how he was known ever since.
The name was fitting, for he was born to be heroic and to accomplish many things. Moreover, he was blessed with exceptionally good looks, and the spirit for adventure.
Miss Annette Mejia’s private school for girls and boys had a reputation for excellence, and he was amongst the fortunate ones to attend this school. He won a government scholarship to attend Wesley College, where he ended his formal education as most bright students did at that time. While at Wesley College, he took and passed the Cambridge Examinations for overseas students, and was the winner of a special prize for his English essay, the only one to be awarded to a Belizean student in that year.
His first job was in the civil service as a Messenger in the Treasury Department, which lasted six months. The lure of working on the Panama Canal, which the Americans were building, and the tales of high adventure the Belizeans returning from the Canal Zone were telling, were too strong. The high salaries that were being paid in Panama compared to what could be earned in Belize might have had some influence on his decision. In the short time Buck worked at the Treasury, he had made a name for himself as the best Messenger the department ever had, which made it very tough on his successor to that post. Danny Gill, Falo Fonseca, Robert Staine, all senior officers, were always speaking in glowing terms about Buck. Only the Chief Clerk, Mr. Maurice Mitchell, on whom Buck had played a few pranks, would shake his head and say ruefully, “that Buck.”
On his return from Panama, Buck joined the staff of the Mechanical Division of the Public Works Department, where he met Eddie Hyde, Lincoln Blades, Albert Hoare and other stalwarts of that great era in the history of Public Works. The PWD recognized his ability and sent him for a training course in electrical maintenance and repairs.
Shortly before going on training, he married the very vivacious and high spirited Norma Louise, nee Staine. They had six children, Georgia, Lynn Gail, Lewis Jr., Charlene, Elizabeth and Eva Michelle, in that order. Except for Lynn, who succumbed from a childhood illness, they are here, except for Eva Michelle, who just returned to the USA last week after spending a week with him, to celebrate this Thanksgiving service for the life of their beloved father.
The hurricane which struck Belize on the 31st October, 1961, was a disruptive force. The children and Norma were sent to live with relatives in the USA, while Buck remained in Belize. Buck, who had begun a career as a lecturer in electrical installation, repair and maintenance at the Belize Technical College, was sent for training in 1962 to Los Angeles, California where he was joined by his wife and children. At the end of the training course, he returned home (Norma remained in the USA) to teach a class on the subject material of his course as well as a class in Mathematics, which was always his favorite subject.
Buck continued as a lecturer at BTC until his retirement in 1989. He lived as a bachelor until he met Ms. Marie Major at a softball game at Rogers Stadium, and they have been together ever since. From this union came two sons, Michael and Dean.
In his early years Buck lived on the banks of the Sittee River, about five miles from the sea. His father owned a sailing boat, “Victory B,” and he was introduced to life on the sea, sailing and fishing in all kinds of weather. “Papa Bill,” as he was called, though a man of many parts, was at heart a seaman, and Buck became an apt pupil in sea lore. And, above all, he learned everything there was to know about taking care of a sailboat, and to handle it with great skill.
From sailing “Victory,” he graduated to sailing sloops in races at the Belize Yacht Club and in 9th of March (Baron Bliss Day) races, then all classes of vessels, including sailing lighters. He had a gift for rigging and trimming sailing crafts so that they reached the highest level of efficiency and, of course, in taking the helm under all conditions. His record of victories in every class of racing vessels for more than thirty years is matched only by the great Leachie Alamina.
In cricket competition at the senior level, he is one of a handful to score over a hundred runs in an afternoon, a remarkable feat in Belize where the grounds are uneven and players are forced to hit the ball in the air to make a high score. He made 105 runs on a Saturday at the Newtown pitch, which he always claimed was 106.
Cycling was his great love, but though he rode several Holy Saturday Cross Country races, the best he could do was 7th place. He was much more successful when he decided to become a trainer. When Anthony Hutchinson won two consecutive Cross Country races and Alpheus Williams won three in four years, the man at the controls was Buck Belisle. He also trained Louis Peyrefitte, who Buck claimed would have been champion had fate not intervened.
To compete was his greatest joy. To put his mind and strength and skill as an individual, a team member or as the man behind the scene, was its own reward. And, always, he behaved with dignity, in victory or defeat.
Throughout his whole life, whatever he loved and whoever he loved, it was always with a passion. He never did anything by halves, always with the whole of himself. This quality endeared him to many people, especially to his relatives and friends. He was a very kindhearted and generous man, who genuinely loved people, and this love was reciprocated in great measure. He was also a very strong person, in will and mind until his last days.
During the past year or so, he had been ailing from several illnesses which required the services of physicians at home and days at a time at the KHMH and Medical Associates Hospitals. He still had an indomitable will to live, declaring recently that he intended to reach his hundred. In most other situations, his will would have been enough to see him through; but in the end, like the rest of us, he was only mortal. On the morning of the 17th September (after a sleepless night of pain and discomfort), death came to him like a good friend to give him Peace and Rest.
(He is survived by his wife, Norma Staine Belisle, and partner Marie Major; his four daughters, Georgia Belisle, Charlene Belisle, Elizabeth Belisle Jones and Eva Michelle Belisle; three sons: Lewis Belisle, Jr., Michael and Dean Belisle; twelve grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is also survived by one brother, Roy Belisle, two sisters, Mrs. Ismae “Mae” Castillo and Mrs. Elinor Hyde, and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.)