Today we come to pay our respects to CECIL NATHANIEL MOONLIGHT ROBERTS whose light will forever shine brightly in the annals of the political, social and cultural history of our Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
The Bible tells us in Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 5, Verse 14:
“No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead he puts it on a lamp stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in Heaven.”
Cecil Roberts was such a man! His life brought light, brought happiness, illuminated the darkness and transformed fear into hope. It was perhaps no accident that he was given the alias of “Moonlight.” He was a man well loved by all regardless of colour, social background or political affiliation. Your turnout this afternoon is testimony to the high esteem in which he was held.
Cecil Nathaniel Roberts was born on 29th September 1927 at Mc Knight in Basseterre to Melvena Harris and Andrew Roberts. He attended the Basseterre Boys School but because of his economic circumstances he had to leave at an early age to fend for himself. His first job was as a cooper, a popular trade of the day, but the young Roberts did not like this occupation and took up employment at the Basseterre Sugar Factory. He later moved to the Public Works Department where he worked until 1967. He then joined the firm of J.W. Thurston and Company Limited. In 1973 when TDC was established Moonlight was one of the original employees and soon became one of the cornerstones in the foundation of what today is the TDC Group of Companies.
His first position in TDC was Supervisor of the “Porter Gang” as it was called in those days. In 1980 he was again promoted and appointed Head of the Lumber Yard, a position that he used to help many young persons in need of a job or just in need of guidance and counseling. His outstanding performance was recognized in 1987 when he became only the second recipient of the coveted TDC Jacques Cramer Employee of the Year Award. Moonlight’s picture now occupies a special place on the Company’s “Wall of Fame,” with 19 other deserving employees. 1993 saw him taking up duties as Field Officer for our Building Materials Department before he officially retired on the 31st January 1995. Even then he continued to function as a Marketing Consultant for a period of one year, and after full retirement he took an interest in the day to day activities of the Company and we often benefited from his efforts.
There is a saying, “A man is as great as the shadow that he casts” and Moonlight certainly cast a very large shadow. His booming voice, physical stature and take charge, authoritative attitude easily made him stand out in a crowd. His interests were many and varied. He was a people’s man!
As a youngster Moonlight was athletic and a natural leader. He organized the young boys of Westbourne Street and Prickley Pear Alley in Physical fitness programmes. He recognized the need to raise the level of literacy in the community and started reading classes for less fortunate persons around the island. He was one of the foundation members of the Voluntary Fire Brigade. Many would still hold vivid images of Moonlight running to catch the fire truck on its way to respond to an emergency.
He was a founding member of The Tranquility Boys Club and loved debating on the social and economic issues of the day. This no doubt influenced him to become active in The Trade Union Movement, where he held the position of a shop Steward with the St.Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union until he parted company with them on a matter of principle.
Moonlight was a fearless individual, always ready to challenge whatever appeared to be oppressive in society. In 1965 when a march against increased rates in electricity was organized, Moonlight was in the forefront of the protest and later became a Foundation member of The People’s Action Movement.
During the State of Emergency in 1967, Cecil Roberts was one of the opposition members who was detained. But even in jail “The Moonlight shone brightly.” He never lost faith and he kept his fellow detainees including myself entertained with his infectious humour and ready wit!
Moonlight was very nationalistic. At all times he remained loyal and true to his country and his people and our nation’s attainment of independence in 1983 was a source of great pride to him.
Moonlight’s generosity knew no bounds. He would seek out those in need and share with them whatever resources he had at his disposal. When he did this he was not looking to be noticed, recognized or rewarded in any way. It was simply part of his life’s mission, which was to serve and to help others. He received national recognition for his contribution and was the recipient of an Independence Award for Community service.
Moonlight’s stance as a man of principle and his willingness to embrace change was evident in 1993 when he broke ranks with the PAM and became a founding member of a new Political Party called U.P.P. He continued to take an active interest in politics and was famous for holding many political discussions at the taxi stand in the Circus. In recent years after he became ill and unable to circulate he participated in public discussions on WINN FM and very often noted that he was calling to “set the record straight” on what he considered to be any political misinformation!
Moonlight was a man of many parts, and was known by many other names, Mr. Charity, the King, Danger Mouth, Hammerdem, Over the Drain and Light of the Moon. Moonlight never consumed alcohol and very often admonished others to refrain from such unhealthy practices. His favourite drinks were coke and mauby and his favourite food dumplings, corn and fish. The bigger the dumplings and corn the better!
He had many hobbies. He was a member of the Rovers Football Club and later President of the St.Kitts Football Association for many years. He was an ardent supporter and helper of the 4H club. He was a keen mass player and his TROUPE “Fallen Angels” is still considered by some to be the all time best Carnival Troupe. He served on several Christmas Festivities and Carnival Committees and helped to promote the revival of the “old time Christmas sports.”
Moonlight was a talented Steel Band player. It was at an Easter Monday Picnic in 1950 while playing Pan with the Eagle Squadron at Brimstone Hill that Moonlight came face to face with disaster. A shower of rain fell and people started to run for shelter. In the panic that ensued, persons were trampled, suffocated and died. Moonlight came to the rescue, rushing out in the rain, taking charge and assisted in saving many lives.
Moonlight was always ready and willing to help his fellow men and women, and again in 1970 during the Christena Disaster he was foremost in the Rescue and Recovery operations. Although in later years Moonlight became physically blind, his personality was such that he always radiated light.
Moonlight was proud to profess his Faith as a Methodist and in recent years became an active member of Hope Chapel ably supported by such genuine friends as Alphonso Barker and other members of the Hope Chapel congregation. During his illness he looked forward to receiving communion at home. He loved all his children unconditionally and this was no doubt appreciated by all of them. This became evident in the abundance of love and the quality of care and attention that Moonlight received when he could no longer fend for himself. The entire family ought to be congratulated and thanked for their kindness.
Cecil Nathaniel Roberts was a graduate of the school of life, an intelligent man, an articulate man, a historian, a caring man, a man of great strength and of infectious good humour, a community minded man and a hero! Surely this was a Man who shone brightly! Our Society and Our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to Cecil Moonlight Roberts for his loyal commitment to community and country.
Moonlight made an enormous contribution to the growth and development of the private and public sectors of this community and his name ought to be indelibly etched in the history of our proud nation. In recognition of this contribution to the country and more specifically to the St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla Trading and Development Company, I am pleased to announce that our new staff facility presently under construction at the Frigate Bay Road is now officially named the “Cecil Moonlight Roberts Staff Recreation Centre.”
I am sure if Moonlight could speak to us to day, he would say, “Comrades, Members and Friends, One and all, I have done my part. The greatest tribute you can pay to me would be to take up the torch I have left behind and let your light now shine for God and for the good of your fellow men and women.”
To his children, 10 by his wife ‘Urella Roberts,” namely Tom, Derrick, Bob, Merlin, Cheryl, Daverill, Chris, Steve, Deverson, Bruce and Keanu, his three other children Owen, Tera and Christopher, his 18 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren and his many other adopted children we extend our deepest sympathy and hope you will take comfort from the knowledge that our dearly beloved Moonlight is still shining brightly in the Heavenly courts above.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
