Iyan last worked as a watchman for the General Post Office, located on North Front Street and Queen Street. He was at the Post Office for 9 years. Before that he worked as a messenger for the Public Works Department, a post he held until he retired from the Public Service in 1995. He was considered the oldest messenger. He began working as a messenger in 1966 and worked with the Public Works Department for over 30 years. He migrated from Belize City to Belmopan in 1972, when most of the Government?s Ministries and departments moved to the new capital.
Iyan acquired his nickname while playing barefoot, which, he said, was the only way he knew how to play. His feet were tougher than any football boots, he said. On one occasion, he kicked the ball so hard that it burst, but the goal was scored. At the time, Iyan was playing for Wesley Primary School, from which he graduated after having finished Standard VI.
After he left primary school, Iyan enlisted in the Volunteer Guard and later attempted to join the Belize Defence Force, but he was not accepted in the BDF because as a child he had suffered random attacks of rheumatic joint pains, which later affected a valve in his heart.
Iyan loved music and kept his body in rhythm by performing tap dancing.
He was also a lover of dominoes, referred to locally as ?black stick,? and every evening he could be seen playing at his watchman?s workplace.
Assistant Postmaster General and community activist Elston Wade said Iyan reminded him of Muhammad Ali when he played black stick.
?Like Muhammad Ali, Iyan would crow down his opponents before the game started,? said Wade.
Wade said he has known Iyan for 26 years, and during that time, Iyan became an institution, still doing messenger work for various business entities while he worked as a watchman.
Iyan was a zealous member of the Roman Catholic Church. He attended Mass every Sunday morning at 5:30. During Mass he would collect the offerings for the church that were put in the collection plate.
Iyan is survived by four children: Desiree, Dana, Dorla and Ian; several grandchildren, brothers and sisters.