The late Neville York recognized as the Cultural Ambassador for the Region as tribute poured in for his home going ceremony on Tuesday.

May 16, 2017

PHILIPSBURG:— The community of St. Maarten including representatives from the French side and neighboring Anguilla along with elected officials from Dutch St. Maarten paid their last respects to St. Maarten Cultural Icon Neville Chester York (50) who passed away suddenly a week ago and was laid to rest on Tuesday. At the viewing and funeral services, Deputy Prime Minister Rafael Boasman sat beside his colleague Minister Silveria Jacobs, while Minister’s Gibson, Emmanuel, and Lee all paid their respects shortly after the body arrived at the Methodist Church. Among them were some Members of Parliament.
Several Caribbean nations hailing as far as Guyana and Suriname sent their tributes to the family of the late Neville York, all of which was read out at the Philipsburg Methodist Church while the viewing took place. All of the representatives from the region described the late Neville York as being someone that was always ready to assist them, offered advice and did everything humanly possible to highlight the Caribbean Culture. They said the late Neville York was full of patience and had a huge passion for culture that he would go out of his way to assist and give advice to anyone who needed it and while St. Maarten has lost a man that had wealth of knowledge on the country’s history and culture, the region would also miss him dearly.
The late Neville York who headed the Culture Department also taught music and wrote several songs and poems. At the home going ceremony, several of his students paid tribute in song.
The home going ceremony started Monday night at the Emerald Funeral Home where family and friends gathered for the last wake and they got the unexpected when the undertakers at Emerald prepared the body of the late Neville York and had him on display playing his favorite steelpan.
The staff of the department of Education, Youth and Culture dressed in their Cultural wear to honor York while the large York family who loses three family members within a week wore green sweaters to identify themselves as members of the family. Among them is the Minister of Plenipotentiary Henrietta Doran York.