evagabourel

How do I even begin to describe this legend we bid farewell to today?

Words will fall short.  I won’t say half of the things I want to say.  I won’t remember some things that I should have said.  So consider today’s tribute just a chapter and know that there will be more to come in the days and months and even years ahead as we remember and miss him.

Edward Richard Gabourel was born on March 21st 1938 in Belize City to Nora Louise Graham and George Eden Gabourel but his father figure was his stepfather Maximiliano Pahnki whom he lovingly referred to as Daddy Max.    The way he tells it, his pram was prettier than him in those early days.  But we all know that was a lie…I mean did u see those eyes? And that smile?

Edward better known as Dido, grew up in Belize City and spent a lot of time with his grandmother.  He’d always share stories with us about how he’d been a mischievous boy who found ways to outsmart or outwit his grandmother and of how much she spoiled him and spared him from beatings from his mother.  He described his mother as  a strict no nonsense woman who had no qualms about beating him even as a grown man when he fell out of line in his marriage to his beloved Josephine.  Dido and Josephine shared four children:  Sonia, Luis, Nora and Helen. 

In his later years, Dido also acquired the nickname Mi Digo.  He was affectionately known by both.  As for me, I called him Dad or Daddy Boy.  He and my mother Oneida, also shared two other children, Edward and Geraldine who are both now deceased.

At 87 years old our Dad seems to have lived quite a few lifetimes.  He has done it all from logging, to running a Gas Station, to being a bar owner, a mechanic and then lastly a full time retiree just living the life. He had tons of stories to share from all these eras in his life. He also seemed to have quite a way with the ladies seeing that he fathered 21 children all together.

The things that stood out about our dad’s big big personality were his sense of humor, his generosity, his loving and kind heart, his loyalty to friendships, and just his passion for life.  It seems that our dad was well loved by so many people from every era of his long life. We continue to hear stories about how many people he helped to get an education; or how many young men were mentored by him and looked up to him as a father figure. 

Our dad also seemed to never be out of friends.  He had so very many friends.  And even when the  older ones passed away, he kept making more.  As a retired man, dad’s house was always some sort of central hub for hanging out. They socialized, had drinks, played dominoes and joked around with each other.  His life was definitely not short on laughter.  And boy did he make others laugh.  Everyone I have ever introduced our dad to are drawn to his personality.  He was charismatic and funny and kind.  Children loved him.  Even people who don’t know our dad personally but got to learn about him from our social media pages have expressed how much they just loved his vibe and felt like they knew him.  He was always ready for an adventure, a drink and good photo.  He loved dancing, and singing, and playing the guitar and piano and just having a good time with family and friends.  He could quickly become the life of any party.

Despite all the hardships our dad had to endure in his life – from financial downfall to losing children, he never lost that sparkle in his eye and that warmth in his smile.  That’s definitely something to be admired.  To have your heart remain happy and good despite setbacks and heartbreak isn’t as easy as he probably made it look.  We never saw our dad give up, we never heard him complain. He just kept living life no matter what hand he was dealt. 

Our dad remained a pillar of strength in our family even as he aged. It almost made us believe that he was immortal.  At 87 years old, with his memory still sharp, he still lived alone, cooked his own meals (stew beans and soup were his two specialties), did his own laundry, and even still had the strength to chop his own yard with his weedeater  “weh his daughter in law Eileen send he fa states”.  We are absolutely devastated by losing him, but we are also comforted knowing that my dad LIVED his life.  He didn’t always make the best choices but he always did what he wanted to do without worrying what others thought.

Lessons I learned from the Old Dido?  Live life, unapologetically…live it like the Frank Sinatra song “My Way”. We only get one life to live.  Don’t hold grudges, they make you bitter….I’ve seen my dad fall out with friends but then they forgave and forgot and became better friends.  Don’t dwell on the past, it can’t be changed…instead keep keeping on with persistence.  Don’t lose your smile or the twinkle in your eye…There are still plenty of things  to be grateful for.  LAUGH, even at the expense of your friends…so make sure your friends share your sense of humor. And most importantly, say yes to the adventures, take pictures, make memories…when they are all we have left to hold on to…they will bring comfort, and smiles, and tears of happiness too. 

My sister Nora would like me to share that our Dad was her hero and her mentor.  He was a strict but very loving father.  As a kid he would tow her around while doing his mechanic work or playing in his band. She got her singing and musical talents from him. 

My sister Helen wants me to share that one of the things she will miss the most is being 48 and still being greeted “Babyyyy” when she would call him.  And then of course hearing me complain “how da big haas wa be your baby? I’m your baby!”  She will also miss telling him “peepee and go da u bed Dido” and then hearing him giggle as if it was his first time hearing it even though she would religiously end every call with that line.

Dido was predeceased by his siblings Roy and Eva Wade; his first wife Josephine Ramclam and his second wife Oneida August.  He was also predeceased by children Geraldine, Edward, Luis, and Yolanda.

He is survived by his children but especially: Nora, Helen, Eva, Sonia, Rene, Eldon, Kisha, Joel, Edward, Joshua and Pari. 

He is also survived by his beloved host of nieces and nephews but especially: Sandra, Teresita, Ruby, Carlos, Eustace, Luther, Dwayne, Salome, Jermaine and Monique. 

He is also survived by his friends.  Oh his friends.  I would like to thank all my father’s friends: for keeping him laughing, for spending so much time with him that he never had to be or feel alone for too long, for getting him into mischief, for “letting him win” at dominoes, for having his back when I was the alcohol police, for being patient with him when he was mean or stubborn, for the long bench-long distance conversations…I’m sure all that kept him here longer. Thank you.