A Time to be Born
On the 25th January 1935 (according to hisparents), Government documents says 1 February 1935, Caleb LeonReckley was the last baby of eight (8) children born to Ethel Pedican-Reckley& Theodore Caleb Reckley on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco. Although he was the last child, if you didn’tknow, one would think he was the eldest because he was always taking charge andtaking care of his siblings, and they cherished that relationship. He was independent, bright, smart,kind-hearted, always giving wherever he can to family, friends, charity, andhis church and knew how to get things done.
A time to be Educated
Leon received his early education at Amy Roberts PrimarySchool on Green Turtle Cay, Abaco. Hewas a quick learner and worked well with his hands. He was good at arts and craft, makingJunkanoo costumes for himself and friends to rush in scrap groups in Nassau andGreen Turtle Cay. He was blessed with musical gifts of dancing, singing, andplaying an instrument which allowed him to use his talents in the musicministry of his church.
A time for Employment & A time to Retire
Leon started working from 17 years old on a freight ship thattransported goods between Abaco and Florida. In Nassau he held a temporarySecurity post at the Balmoral Hotel at nights. His pride and joy was workingfor the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (Batelco) from 1958, where hecherished the friendships of many co-workers, especially his best friend JohnBethel, all of whom he cooked lots of delicious meals and he was the life ofthe party, hence they called him “Sir Reck”. Leon retired from Batelco in 1995in grand style as a Supervisor from the Perpall Tract location. He often bragged about being a part of theteam that installed the polls to bring power to Clifton Pier. After putting in 37 years plus with thecorporation, he looked forward to his retirement so he could spend more time onGreen Turtle Cay with his siblings, relatives, and friends. He continued to be a part of his retirees andunion associations.
Leon was also an industrious businessman having had numerousbusinesses in the Nassau Village area, whom he was one of the early settlers todevelop the area along with his deceased wife.
A time for love
In Hope Town, Abaco, Leon met and fell in love with abeautiful and charming lady Emily Maude Major of Roses, Long Island whopredeceased him in June 2010. They datedfor one (1) year and were married at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Green Turtlecay on 21s April 1957. Besides travelling to numerous churchConventions, the romantic couple engaged the seas and ventured on seven (7)Caribbean cruises. The union was blessedwith five (5) boys and two (2) girls.
A time to know & serve God
Serving and loving God is all Leon knew. From an early age heserved as an Acolyte in St. Peter’s Anglican Church, on Green Turtle Cay untilhe came to Nassau in the late 1950’s. Hevisited St. Agnes Church in New Providence but later transitioned to the Churchof God of Prophecy “Big Jumper” to join his wife, Emily who was a member and toplay in the Bahama Brass Band. He wasalso an active and faithful member of the Men’s Fellowship. After retirement, Leon fully emersed himselfin the things of God and his faith grew stronger and he always told anyone he metat every chance he got how much he is ready to go to Heaven when the timecomes.
A time of Failing Health
For some 20 years, Leon experienced many challenges withDiabetes, Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Kidneys, and heart diseases includingwearing a pacemaker for over 15 years. These trials did not stop him from living life out loud energeticallyand independently without complaining. He travelled to England, Mexico and the United States for band assemblies& church conventions and to his beloved Green Turtle Cay often. Hecontinued to play his horn in the Bahama Brass Band, cook, catch, and cleanedfish and like he loved to say, “I’m not driving in the night anymore, but inthe day, I does tear up the town” making his deliveries, visiting friends,going to Church, and doing any business he wants to do. The day after Father’s Day, Leon went tohospital by ambulance. His feet wereswollen, and he was feeling bad throughout the night so after 6 a.m. he knockedon his son Tommy’s door and said he need to go to hospital. He was admitted and usually Leon goes intohospital and recovers and is back to his normal life. However, this time it was not to be. His tasks were done on earth and God saw fitto call him to his eternal home and rest, he often talked about and shares thathe is prepared to die in peace any day.
A Time to die
On the glorious feastday of St. John, The Baptist, 5:31 a.m. on 23r June 2022 from theMale Surgical 3 Ward at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Leon passed from timeinto the eternal arms of his loving creator and savior. While visiting with him at the lastopportunity to see him, his daughter in law, Nadine and I, Ann, sang numeroushymns and songs and said the Lord’s Prayer and 23 Psalm. After Nadine went to see if any other familymembers were waiting to come in, “I asked daddy if he heard us singing” and hesaid, “Yes, I’m straight, not to worry daughter”. He said his prayers, whispered something aboutdying, thanked and praised the Lord and Amen. The following morning when I went to look at him lying in the bed, whilethe Undertaker went to take care of the paperwork, his bedside neighbor said,“have my condolences, girl I could hear your daddy in between trying to breathecontinuing to praise and thank the Lord until he passed”. May his soul and the souls of all thefaithfully departed, through the mercies of God, rest in peace and rise inglory.
He waspredeceased by his parents: Ethel& Theodore Reckley; wife: EmilyMaude Major Reckley; his son: Shaun Reckley; his brothers: George and Bert Reckley; his sisters:Doris Mcintosh and Isabel Daxon; his brothers-in-law: Eulan & Thomas McIntosh, Brian Russell,Felix Daxon and Gladstone Major; his sister-in-law:Jenniemae Reckley, Isabel McIntosh, Martha Ann Reckley; his grandson: Kenny Reckley; his granddaughter: Deniqua Gibson; his great granddaughter: Zhye; his son-in-law: Dencil Gibson;his daughter-in-law: CarolieReckley; his niece: Valerie Thompson.
He issurvived by his Sons: Elvis,Presley, Colon, Grafton, and Thomas Reckley; Daughters: Leandra Prosper, Melanie and Esther Ann Gibson, andJoyce Ware {Indiana, USA}; Step Sons: Kevin McCauley, Bradley Reckley,Samuel Russell, Kirk and Leroy “Magoo” Reckley; Step Daughters: DeneiceMcCauley, Faye and Stephanie Reckley, Patricia McIntosh, Deborah Turnquest,Stephanie Charlton, Sarah Roberts, Maureen Gibson, Deborah Turnquest, Euturpy,Ruth and Deneice Mcintosh, Beryl Reckley, Alice Smith Deveaux, Mrs. EloiseJohnson and Phyllis Stubbs, {Riviera Beach, Fl} Marsha & Laurie Dames,Sherry Dames-Curry & family; Grandchildren:Elvis Jr., Sheniqua, Elkeisha, Roston, Crystal, Shanel, Niketa, Shontae, Asia,Aaliyah, Sherece, Theodore, Coline, Colette, Precious Ann, Christin, Taneisha, Tomisha, Levette, Kenton,Kendra, Kenneth Jr., Bruce, Jayel, Asteisha, Asia, Reshaun, Shaquille, Antonio Ware, Gregory and Tia Sargeant; Great-Grandchildren: Kendria, Kaylee, Calvin, Kaden, Kalin, Komari,Valencia, Rodnesha, Ambriel, Andre, Christenique, Christopher, Philip, CaiHugh,Kenny Jr., K’len, Jarvin, Chris Jr., Cody, Justin, Austin, Taquantae, Essence, Callwin Jr., Melaysia, Marcia, Kai,Demari, Shemiah, Tarai, Chessad, Aeon, Marcus, and Melik, Mathew, Antonio Jr. Amaris,Anajah, Ivy, Breon & Amaris Jeremiah; Sons-in-law:Kenneth Prosper, Derek Gibson, and Chatmond Bowles; Daughters-in-law: Tanya, Pearline, Lorraine, Anarose, and Nadine Reckley; Sisters: Adeline McIntosh and Robertha Russell; Step Sisters: Phyllis &Eloise Johnson and Georgette Colebrook; Brother:Leroy Reckley; Sisters-in-law:Sonia and Barbara Reckley, Marguerite Major; Nephews: Bradley, Wayne, Joel, Kirk, and Leroy ‘Magoo’ Reckley,Leo, Norbert, Deorley, Earklin, Luke, Frank, Kevin, Christopher and CyreniusMcintosh, Jeffery, Jeremiah, Dave, Timothy, Scott, and Dave Russell, Elias,Gladstone, Truman, Bernard, Gary, and Percy Major, Raymond, Sherman, Edward andChrissie Cunningham, Jeremiah, Bertram, Michael, Pemmy and Alice; Nieces; Doris Cooper, LevaughnWilliams, Karen, Penny Murray, Shannelee Sands, Janet, Marilyn, Kaye, Iona,Denise Mcintosh, Nicole, Barbara, Patricia, Paulette, Gloria, Kola, Wells,Clara, Josephine Curry, Paula Cogan, Susan, Charmaine, Deniece, Melvern, Dellerece, Senovia, Eve, Lovely, AlfredaCooper, Beryl Reckley, Wenzalee Dorsett, Eve Williams, Melvern, Charmaine,Sheila, and Deirdre Rolle; Godchildren:Geoffrey “Gully” McIntosh, Katie Smith; Otherrelatives and friends: Presbyter Brice H. Thompson and family, BishopFranklin M. Ferguson & family, Bishop and Sister Hulan Hanna & family,Bishop Kendal Simmons & family, The World ‘famous’ Bahama Brass Band, BishopJohnny Lowe & family, The Men’s Fellowship, Bishop Reuben Deleveaux &family, Reverend Ishmael Martin & family, Bishop Rex Major & family,Rev. Nelson & Martha McFall, The Church of God of Prophecy family, Mr.& Mrs. John Bethel & Family, Mr. Robert Elliott & Family, Ruth Smith & family, Bradley and family, Charlie Bethel & family Mr. “Rat”“Rolle and family, The Cartwright’s family, President Lydia Isaacs and theentire BCPOU family, Nora McClain, Ministers Maurice and Annavee Simms &family, The entire Bruce & Sarah Pedicans’ Family (Abaco, Eleuthera,Nassau, Freeport and the United States which includes: the Pedicans, Russells,the Reckleys, McIntosh, Currys, Duncansons, Cleares, Sweetings, Stubbs,Bootles, Saunders, Lewis, Grimes, Stubbs & Russells, Mr. & Mrs. TedThompson & family, Rev. David “Ching Sweeting & family, Andrew &Charles Thompson, Quinton Curry & family, the Bootle, Sawyer, Roberts, andLevarity families, Luke, Karen & Jennifer McIntosh, Jackie Knowles, RuthGates and Eloise Johnson, Phyllis Stubbs{Riviera Beach, FL}, Inez Pedican, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Thompson, Vincent& Elouise Cooper, The entire Lowe family of Green Turtle Cay and Nassau,Ruth Smith & family, the Cartwrights, Marsha Adderley, Vernie Curry, The Daxons, Mrs. Marjorie Kemp & family, DeborahTurnquest & family, Marguerite Major, The entire community of NassauVillage which includes the Prospers, Rolles, Wallaces, Winders, Mcphees,Roberts, the Joseys, Eltamese Joseph & family, Diana, Robert, and Rodger Sands, BeverleySeymour & family, Becky & Ethel Saunders, Valencia Nottage & family,Barry Ferguson & family, Ruth Williams, Ishmael Saunders & family,Sterling Armbrister, Huden Forbes, Carolyn Marshall, Hon. Hubert, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Bethel, Chatmond Bowles & family, Lynette Reckley& family, Bethsheva Cox Ingraham & family, the Fergusons, Mrs. MarjorieGreene-Outten & Family, the Majors family including Mrs. Marguerite Major,Mrs. Maggie Saunders & Family, Andrea Parker & Auramae Ferguson &Ferguson, Elvis Cartwright & family, Mrs. Mae Reckley & family, WalterRolle & family, Mr. Charles Anthony Russell & family, Alphonso “Chicken”Albury & family, Arnold Davis, Andrea Morrison, Vincent and Tryann Arnett,Lateisha Gilbert, Jordan King, Nelandre Duncombe, Ms. Seretha Clarke, Joshua,Vernon and Jonathan Hanna , Hillary & Miriam Bain, and the community ofPinewood Gardens, Patrice Small, SharonAlbury, Susan Darville, Eunice Roxbury, Georgette Colebrooke & family,Ginger and Rosemary Mcbride & family, The Wares Family {Indiana}, Lois Johnson,{Riviera Beach, Fl.} the Mcbride’s, Mcclains, Gibsons, Munnings families,Santini Sweeting, Paula Munroe &family, Vernie Curry & family, Maria Meadows & family, CarolynMarshall, Dr. Virginia Romer, and the entire staff of A.F Adderley Jr. School,Linda & Brenda Hanna, MaquellaFarquahrson & family, President Belinda Wilson {BUT}, President LydiaIssacs {BCPOU}, Ms. Deirdre Clarke and St. Annes’ class of 1979, Mrs. Dorothea Thompson {principal} and theentire staff of Carlton E. Francis Primary School which includes, JaniceRodgers, Denise Taylor, Molanie Brown, Teesha Dames, Ministry of Works, Sun OilLimited, St. Barnabas Parish Church Choir & ACW, Newton B. Bowe Sr., ThePratt Family of New Bight/Douds Cat Island, Mervin & Margaret Reckley,William and James Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Glen Woodside, Bishop Reuben &Elizabeth Deleveaux, Mrs. Althea Sands, Pandora Leadon & Family, Coakley,Mackey & Brynen Family, Environmental Health, Mr. Peter Sweeting, Beach& Parks Authority Staff, Brady’s Laundry {Bahamar}, Kirky’s Foodstore, theBahamas Association of Certified Officials {BACO}, Ms. Clara Storr, New Providence PublicPrimary Schools Sports Association{NPPPSSA}, Michelle Collie & SecurityTaylor (Social Services) Robinson Road, and the entire community of Green Turtle Cay ,Abaco including his McCauly friends dog - Reckley of Green Turtle Cay and hisfive (5) cats of Nassau; Special thanks: to Dr. Adrian Sawyer & Team, MaleSurgical Ward 3, Lynette & Cheryl of PMH Lab who always get his results outquickly so Doctors can assess and treat Leon quickly or they would send Ruth togo find him and update us when we are not allowed to visit. Thanks also to daughter-in-law Anarose andgranddaughter, Christen, the Medics in the family who will always check hisvitals and make sure he is taking the correct medication dosage prescribed.
