Today January 19, marks 25 years since our brother Bargy left us. Those of us who knew him still speak of him in the present as he was loved by so many.

Remembered by his sons Gary and Balwayne, brothers Hamlet, Leonard, Everton,
sisters Fay, Lucia and Vergenny and host of close relatives.

I remembered this day as if it was yesterday. Bargy, uncle Raymond and Shem were all like brothers to the community. There disapperance at sea changed the way many of us view our fishermen today. A holiday has never been the same without uncle Raymond and Bargy. They made us laugh and their persona was fun loving. To the Clarkes' family especially Prince, Shirley and Baldwayne and the Smiths' family I say, they mean so much to our lives that yes, we still speak of them in the present. We will forever be your neighbor's.

Davis family

We remember the day Our Father, Brother & Uncle Raymond Smith went to sea with Bargy and did not return, somehow We always think they are on one of the other islands and we are still waiting...To All the families whose loved ones went to sea and did not returned Raymond Smith, Bargy Clarke, Coushem and if there were a fourth man our thoughts are with you still 25 years on.

Remember by: Veronia Smith-Elliott, Sonnett & Sophia Smith (daughters) Sisters Olive, Marlene, Vivie, Ida,Joan,Darcy, Viana,Rean,Gloria, Syliva,Doreen, Brothers Barge, Hambert and Donald and Nieces, Nephews and grandchildren

My thoughts are with the family of Raymond and the other two young men who I did not know. Raymond was a special friend and yes, Treasure Beach is not the same without their love and laughter. All the anniversaries have been painful but 25 years has brought on a new significance. I pray that God will give us the strength to endure.

I was recently in TB (12/05) and mentioned to someone how comical Bargie was, but I can't imagine that it has been 25 years since he went away. To Lucia, Fay and Verge, I certainly can feel your pain (because I sure enjoyed his laughter and jokes whenever I visited TB--ironically how I always think of him). May the Lord give you the strength to continue life's journey.

One of the things my side of Raymond's family always recall about him was how romantic he was... always singing his favourite Neil Diamond, Charley Pride and Jim Reeves songs, among others.
In fact, legend has it that during one of his many escapades at sea, he ended up in Cuba (1966?) aboard the boat, 'Certain Sure', and when his rescuers went to extract him from a lock-up they found him singing "Send me the pillow that you dreamed on"... apparently not a care in the world, as long as he could still sing his love songs!
There is, by the way, a haunting photograph, taken shortly before Raymond and Bargie went away... It featured the two of them along with Maxie Parchment and another person (whose name I will not mention) on the beach. Unfortunately, two years after Raymond and Bargie went, Maxie also left us via the same route.

Earl you could not have sum it up better for Raymond,well said...his lovely voice should always be remebered by those who had the pleasure of hearing it.

It seemed like yesterday, It’s hard to believe that 25 years have gone by already. I lived in Kingston with my Aunt Fay and Christine (Lucia), going to school. I spend all my holidays in Treasure Beach, which will always be home. I remember not wanting to go back to Kingston after the Christmas holidays and my father telling me that he had to go to sea and he didn’t want to go, but he had to. That Christmas he had a record “one day at a time” that I would play all the time. He gave me the record to take with me to Kingston (I didn’t have a record player in Kingston). I went back and not long after, I remember seeing my Aunt Fay crying one day and when she told me that my father was lost at sea, I remember thinking about when Wetty and Coushem left and never came back and I was very worried. I don’t remember how I got to Treasure beach, but that night I was standing on French man seaside watching everybody going out to search. My Uncle Desty was walking down the beach heading for one of the boats and stop and said “don’t worry Bedda, wi a go find yu father.” Well hours passed, then days, then months and now 25 years. What makes something like this so bad in that you lose 3 people at a time. Raymond would always bring me sweetie, He was one of the nicest person I remember knowing. He and my father would argue all the time but they were the best of Friends. I don’t remember Juinor who also went with them, but I would have loved to have know him. My cousins Peter and Maxie along with Vil Dicker left and never came back a few years later. This was also a painful memory as it was right after losing my Uncle Leslie Ebanks to Rheumatic fever. Peter was one of the Pall bearers at his funeral.

I didn’t know my father for many years but thanks to all the people in Treasure beach, I felt like I knew him all my life. Everybody would have a Bargy story to tell me and I never got tired of hearing them. Miss Ina, who has since passed away, was always there for me. If there is a memorial, I would like to see Miss Ina also metioned, she was like a mother to them and she must have felt it losing so many of her children to the sea.

Prince, I feel your pain, I share your grief. Bargy would always play that song, I remember the fun time we all had together, and we all loved mommy's icecream that was made from scratch, he never failed to invite us over to indulge. One thing you you must always remmeber He loved you and Baldwayne very, very much. You were his little champions, he idolized you both.

Karen

In memory of my dear husband Bargy, who had left us on January 19th, 1981. January 27th would have been our 27th year anniversary of marriage. Sadly missed by me, and my two sons: Prince and Balwayne. Balwayne; who he had wanted to name "Balwin", after Ma Zelda and brother Roddy Grand-Son, "Alwin". But instead of calling him "Balwin" he called him "Balwayne". He said "if he called Balwin, Ma Zelda Grand-Son might answer" seeing as we were neighbors. Bargy was filled with fun and laughter. He makes me laugh; he makes me cry, especially when he used to drink his beers at Bammy, Julie, and Baba shops. Nobody could not get him to stop drinking, no matter what you did. His beers had meant the whole world to him. And whenever he started drinking I would always have to go in search for Paul Swaby and Ronie Ebanks from Billy's Bay who is now living in New York City to help me take him home. Those were the only two people who could get him under control. Paul and Ronnie thanks a million for all your wonderful help and what you have done for me, and Bargy.

I cannot forget those old time days, when Bargy, Julie, Trevor Clarke and his wife, Garth Clarke, Bould Moxam, "G" (Bould Moxam's brother in-law), Nicholas Sutherland, and Des Parchement would all hang-out together, and have fun. And Bargy would always say "in heaven there's no beer" so that's why he had to drink it down here.

Bentley Parchement would always send him down his country-western music; those were his favorite type of music. Miss Ina was always there for him, God bless her soul. Thanks to the Davis family who were always there for me who would always come and sleep with me when Bargy had left to go to sea.

Ida thanks for your support, when Bargy left. I could always call on you when I needed you.

My hope has built up that one day he would show up and months have passed, years have passed, and now it's 25 years have passed and no return. Raymond was one of the nicest guys I knew. His beautiful smile; I will always remember. Can't forget the night they were leaving to go to sea, when Raymond came knocking on my door to wake up Bargy. And he sat on the Verandah with me and when Bargy woke up and were ready to leave, Bargy had a candy in his pocket, and he said to me "I am going to eat this candy for the last before I go" and he kissed me good-bye and when he reached up at Mas Alva gate, in front of the street light, he turned around and waved to me for the last time. Never seen or heard from him again, but I will always remember Bargy in my thoughts and Pryor. He will be surprised to know that he is the Grand-Father of six children: Tiana Clarke, Samantha Clarke, Reanna Clarke, Juwayne Clarke, Odaine Clarke, and Romel Clarke.
My sympathy goes out to Junior Ebanks' family who was with Bargy, and also to Raymond's family.

Bargy you were kind, compassionate, caring, loving, a fighter, and a drinker. You were a man of many many different colors.

Faye and Chrisse thanks for all you have done for Gary, when his father wasn't there for him.

I would like to send a special tribute to my cousin Moxie, my cousin Peter, Ville, Dicker, Kingsley (Wettie), Glen, Crueshem, Dennie, and all the other people who had went to sea and never returned.

Rest In Peace

Shirley, only you could said it best. Bargy would be proud of you for this tribute. I can't beleive all those grandkids. I will have to cathch up on that soon.

Karen