A personal connection
Community mourns the loss of Fr. Vincent Waterman
“I remember thinking wow, how cool is it that I know someone who was up close and personal listening to those civil rights leaders.”
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, who Patriarch Vincent Waterman the First loved and served faithfully for more than 30 years.
What can a little columnist say that hasn’t already been said about the recent death of Fr. Vincent Waterman?
I can say a lot and my stories are personal and from the heart.
I’ve known Fr. Waterman pretty much my whole life and what an honour it was indeed. The stories, jokes, laughs, his knowledge, wisdom, bright smile and his overall presence and positive aura. He was a good person with a beautiful soul, who shined from the inside out.
On Jan. 19, Waterman celebrated a huge milestone, he turned 93 years old and on Jan. 22, he passed away. It’s sad to see someone you love and look up to die, but it’s also a joyful time to celebrate an amazing man, who lived a long, inspiring, meaningful life.
Most of us who knew Waterman personally, knew he was born in Barbados, raised in New York and moved to Whitney Pier in 1983 with his beautiful wife Lady Isabel Waterman to take over St. Philip’s, the only African Orthodox Church in Canada.
In 2015, he was elevated to Patriarch Vincent Waterman the First, he was only the fifth patriarch in the history of the African Orthodox Church. That same year he took a sabbatical from the church and moved to Halifax to be closer to his family.
I, along with many others have nothing but great memories of this man, I recall walking down the street and seeing him sitting on the porch.
A simple “Hi, Fr. Waterman” would turn into an hour-long conversation talking about life or him cracking jokes. I could listen to him talk for days because I loved his stories and he always made me laugh.
When I was 15, I started volunteering at St. Philip’s, I would work the children’s games at the Caribbean Festival, help at events throughout the year and recite readings at church services.
I also worked at the church as a summer student when I was 18, that summer Fr. Waterman hosted a church conference. Bishops from Florida, New York, Philadelphia and a few other places attended.
One day during the conference I was finishing up early, sitting in a church pew by the basement steps, quietly listening to everyone talk about their life experiences. They talked about the civil rights movement and stories about listening to Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. speak.
I remember thinking wow, how cool is it that I know someone who was up close and personal listening to those civil rights leaders. We only learn about those people in history books and in school, Waterman got to see and listen to them in person.
I wonder if Patriarch Vincent Waterman the First knew he would have a similar impact on people today. Probably not, because he was a humble person with so much compassion for others, I don’t think he realized how many lives he touched or changed.
He was an influential community leader and a great role model. With the news of his passing an outpouring of people took to social media to pay their respect, share memories and pass on heartfelt condolences to his family.
He will be truly missed by many, especially his wife of 47 years, Lady Isabel Waterman, his daughters Yvette, Victoria and Frances and his two special little buddies, his granddaughter Nevaeh and grandson Evander.
Mrs. Isabel and the family, thank you for sharing Fr. Waterman with everyone. I’m blessed to have been welcomed as a part of your family.
Fr. Waterman, may you rest in eternal peace on your throne, when you got to heaven. I know God crowned you and welcomed you home.
Funeral arrangements have been announced. On Thursday Feb. 28, there will be a viewing at T.W. Curry Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.; on Friday, March 1, a viewing will be held at St. Philip’s African Orthodox Church from 4-9 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 2, will be the funeral mass at St. Philip’s beginning at 11 a.m.
Robyn Martelly is from the diverse community of Whitney Pier, a Canadian heritage site. She’s a contributing author, writes a monthly column in the Cape Breton Post called Pier Dear and is a self-taught artist, her skills ranging from painting to poetry. Have a suggestion for a story? Martello can be reached by email at martelly.robyn@gmail.com or through her Facebook page Martelly Art.