Winston F. Quammie

Winston Fitzgerald Quammie quietly left us on July 15th 2019 just 14 days before his 92nd birthday at Capital Caring Halquist Center in Arlington, Virginia.

Saddened by the passing of the family patriarch, a wonderful son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, god-father, father-in-law, friend, and neighbor; he lived his life full of adventure, fun and to the fullest leaving everyone with a wealth of amazing memories.

Winston was born 29 July, 1927 in Caracas, Venezuela to the late Ivy (nee Brathwaite) and Percival Quammie. A few years later his parents returned to Trinidad where Winston grew up to be a young man and earn his education. He loved and was extremely active in sports where he organized, coached and participated in several sports including netball, boxing, bodybuilding, weightlifting, track & field, karate, and field hockey. He was also the founder of the Boston Old Boys (B.O.B.) gym in Mon Repos whose motto was “Each One Teach One, Look and Learn”. He played in the neighborhood steel band Guinness Cavaliers.

As a young boy Winston was very handy and loved building and fixing things as to why he chose a career in construction. He was very proud of his career and would always take his boys on drives to see his work especially the Trinidad Hilton Hotel and the Grace Plant at Federation Chemical.

In the 60’s Winston migrated to St. Croix, USVI continuing his construction career, where if you were fortunate to visit him and get his island tour it included the St Croix Water Plant, the Hess Oil Refinery where he worked for many years and the many laundromats where for several years after retirement he was the only person on the island that knew how to repair the machines. He loved the beach and always kept a pair of swim trunks in the car. The story is that he was swimming at the age of 2 years old.

Winston was a very active member in the community. He was a proud member of the St Croix Lions Club where he held several positions including Club President. He was a member of the local chapter of the Orchid Society, the Bonsai Club, a member and contributor to St. George Village Botanical Gardens Mango Melee, and the American Hibiscus Society where he was a senior judge. He also was a soccer coach and referee, and the photographer for the USVI Olympic Team; travelling to 2 Olympic games. He was also an avid supporter and volunteer of the Virgin Islands Special Olympics.

In September 2017, it took two Category 5 hurricanes to convince Winston to leave St Croix, his “American Paradise” and moved to Virginia. He was surrounded by family and friends enjoying their visits from both near and far; eating, dancing and listening to his favorite music old time calypso and salsa, watching his favorite African and Western movies and spending time with Zack and Nate.

Thanks to Dr. Muhammad Ali, MD and his staff, and the staff at Capital Caring Halquist Center for their kind, professional and personal service they provided to Winston and his family.

A celebration of Winston’s life will be held at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314 on Friday 19th July; Visitation at 1pm and Life Celebration Service at 2pm.

Condolences for the family may be offered at https://www.cunninghamfuneralhome.net