(05/22/23)
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Junglepixiebelize - Recollections of a Gringa Pioneer
Nancy R Koerner - Copyright@2023 - All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER SIXTY
"Bishop Sylvester - RIP"
By the fall of 1978, my trips to Airport Camp to sell my carvings to the British troops had become well-established. Because visits to the Officer’s Mess were always in the evenings, I began to stay over, so I could have the next day to sell to the Fort George Gift Shop before heading home. When other gringo friends from Cayo needed to stay over in Belize City, they patronized a little guest house on Eve Street called Posada Tropicana. Owned and operated by an Englishman named Roger, and his American lover, John, they made kind and caring hosts. There was nothing swanky about the place, but it was clean and homey. So, when any of our crowd was in town, this was where we all gravitated.
On one such visit in December, right before Christmas, I remembered passing by a patch of wreckage and broken glass on the Western Highway on my way down to Belize City. There had been a car accident – right near Belmopan – and looked like a bad one. It was only later that night that Roger, who was a devout member of the Anglican Church, tearfully informed me of the loss of Belize’s Anglican Bishop, the Right Reverend Eldon Anthony Sylvester and his wife, Sonia.
On one such visit in December, right before Christmas, I remembered passing by a patch of wreckage and broken glass on the Western Highway on my way down to Belize City. There had been a car accident – right near Belmopan – and looked like a bad one. It was only later that night that Roger, who was a devout member of the Anglican Church, tearfully informed me of the loss of Belize’s Anglican Bishop, the Right Reverend Eldon Anthony Sylvester and his wife, Sonia.
Anglican Bishop and Wife Die in Belize
December 19th, 1978
Few people driving the Western Highway failed to complain about the gruesome habit of large dual-wheeled lorry drivers who would decide to stop and park in the right lane without pulling over. This was insanity. It was like they suddenly thought “hey, this would be a good place to park.” Then they’d just slow down, and park right there – as though no one could possibly fail to see them. It was bad enough when this happened in the daytime, in good weather, bad weather, in pouring rain, or on a foggy morning. But, at night, it was positively deadly. Because there were no street lights on that stretch between Hattieville and Belmopan, there was no hope. The hulking truck would sit there – like a silent monster of death, in the right driving lane – with no lights on.
The story went that Bishop Sylvester and Sonia had been driving a small coupe. They’d had never even seen the heavy cargo truck stopped dead-ahead. Witnesses reported that the small car had collided with the truck, but had slid right under. The impact had sheared off the top of the vehicle, and both passengers in the front seat died of head and neck injuries. Their daughter, Beverly, who was nine years old at the time, had accompanied them. Although her life was spared, the young girl apparently suffered two broken legs. Luckily, the Sylvester’s other two children, Edward, 15, and Lawrence 17, were not with them at the time of the accident.
Bishop Sylvester had completed his theological training in Barbados, at Codrington College, in 1956. After having served in Belizean parishes for several years, he became archdeacon, and went on to be consecrated in 1972 – distinguishing himself as the first person of African descent to hold that post. The bishop was a beloved leader in the ecumenical movement in Belize, involved in many religious and civic affairs, while his wife, Sonia Sylvester, was a schoolteacher.
The story went that Bishop Sylvester and Sonia had been driving a small coupe. They’d had never even seen the heavy cargo truck stopped dead-ahead. Witnesses reported that the small car had collided with the truck, but had slid right under. The impact had sheared off the top of the vehicle, and both passengers in the front seat died of head and neck injuries. Their daughter, Beverly, who was nine years old at the time, had accompanied them. Although her life was spared, the young girl apparently suffered two broken legs. Luckily, the Sylvester’s other two children, Edward, 15, and Lawrence 17, were not with them at the time of the accident.
Bishop Sylvester had completed his theological training in Barbados, at Codrington College, in 1956. After having served in Belizean parishes for several years, he became archdeacon, and went on to be consecrated in 1972 – distinguishing himself as the first person of African descent to hold that post. The bishop was a beloved leader in the ecumenical movement in Belize, involved in many religious and civic affairs, while his wife, Sonia Sylvester, was a schoolteacher.
Husband and wife were buried on December 22nd in a local cemetery after a Requiem Mass at the Cathedral of St. John’s. The service was attended by many civic, political, and religious leaders of the country, who professed deep and abiding grief at their loss.
As tragic as this accident had been, it would not be the only time a parked lorry on the Western Highway would cause a disaster.
The next occurrence would involve me, directly, as a key player.
As tragic as this accident had been, it would not be the only time a parked lorry on the Western Highway would cause a disaster.
The next occurrence would involve me, directly, as a key player.