OBITUARY OF STEPHEN ALEXIS ABRAHAM

To quote William Shakespeare from the pastoral comedy As You Like It, "All the world's a stage, and all men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances."

Stephen Alexis Abraham was one such player who made his entrance on July 17 ^th , 1947, at Cotton, Vielle Case, on the lovely Caribbean island of Dominica. His parents Allan and Jeanette were happy to present James and Marion Patrick with Stephen, their first grandchild. He was later called "Big Stephen" after another grandchild of the same first name joined the family.

Growing up at Cotton with his cousins was possibly some of the happiest days of his youth. He enjoyed all the fresh fruits and playing hide and seek on moonlit nights were among his favorites. Trapping birds, playing cricket, going for river and sea baths, carving small wooden boats, making tops as well as sardine and corned beef tin trucks were among the activities he really enjoyed. Of course, his had to be the best in the area since he was meticulous.

At an early age, however, Stephen developed an affinity for books. As he grew older Big Stephen began to spend more time with books than with toys and sports, consequently, he was an avid reader which paid great dividends later in life. He was known on occasion, to seclude himself in a closet with a flashlight to circumvent curfew -- to do more studying or to read the latest New Scientist Journal from cover to cover.

At about age fourteen, while spending holidays with family that was just transitioning from Vieille Case to Roseau, Stephen by a sheer stroke of serendipity was enrolled to attend the Dominica Grammar School. There he excelled, (never doubling a class). He had a special love for the study of sciences and upon graduation he landed a staff position as Assistant Lab Technician for the Chemistry and Physics Labs. His efforts did not go unrecognized by the faculty, staff and students. Big Stephen later received a scholarship to further his education at the University of The West Indies at St. Augustine Campus Trinidad in the field of Tropical Agriculture. Upon his return to Dominica, he joined the staff at the newly opened Portsmouth Secondary School where he taught General Science, Math, Biology and Chemistry which included preparing students for the General Certificate of Education administered by Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Like many others, Big Stephen got stung by the bug to emigrate to other pastures. His parents and siblings were in the USA.  Upon arrival in New York, Steven enrolled at TCI College of Technology in Manhattan where he pursued a course of study in electronics. After working for some time in that field Big Stephen became a contractor having his own business with five employees, servicing computers for Citibank. However, medical issues precluded expansion of his business as well as his career.

Long before Google search, Stephen claimed that from his maternal side of the family he was related to Sir Thomas More, and conducted himself as a nobleman.  Big Stephen was never married and had no children, nevertheless his kindness, generosity, compassion, quiet demeanor, and thoughtfulness were directed toward the large family to which he belonged as well as toward others as the need presented itself. Stephen was disciplined, punctual and reliable, yet this guy did not complain. If you ever met and interacted with Big Stephen you encountered an eternal optimist.  In spite of his severe medical challenges even during his waning days he would say " I will be alright man; tell everybody I'll be OK you know "

Big Stephen left Cotton in person but not in spirit. In practically every conversation with anyone from or connected to Cotton, he would ask about his beloved birthplace and the people who still reside there.

Unfortunately, the curtains drew slowly but steadily across the stage and Big Stephen was summoned off on June 25 ^th , a mere 22 days short of his 74 ^th birthday (add then reverse the numbers do the math, one of his favorite subjects)

At his exit Big Stephen left to mourn his father, Allan Abraham, siblings Avril and Alex, Julie, Pat, Mervin, Glen and Peter, uncles Hermie and Gabriel (Blanc) aunts Elva, Constance, Ethel, Angel and Rosalind, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Thank you Heavenly Father, for lending us Big Stephen. Thanks Big Stephen, for the memories. Thank you audience, for your patience as we peeked at Stephen's stage acts. Big Stephen rest in peace as you await your next call.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Saint Jude's Research ( www.stjude.org/donatetoday ) in Stephen Alexis Abraham's name.