Life Sketch
Colin W. Brathwaite was born December 19, 1919 on the beautiful island of Barbados, British West Indies. He was the second of five children: three boys and two girls. Colin was raised and educated in the parish of Christ Church, Worthing, to be specific. While there, he became a top class cricketer, learned to play golf and became a fisherman by profession.
During World War II, he was recruited by the H. J. Heinz Company to come to the United States to fill the gap for much needed labor. So at the age of 25, he boarded a boat in Bridgetown and came to the United States to work in western New York. Initially, he worked in the fields and in the processing plants, but later, other employment opportunities were afforded him. On one of his jobs he injured his back and was hospitalized where a young lady, Arlene Rice, was doing missionary work. She met him and captured his heart. Through this providential meeting he became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. On February 14, 1946 Colin and Arlene were married, a marriage that lasted nearly sixty-nine years.
In 1955 Colin became a US citizen. This enabled him to be instrumental in sponsoring many to come from Barbados for opportunity in the United States.
Colin loved the outdoors, especially the ocean. He had a great passion for fishing, and he was an avid golfer. For many years he was captain of the Rochester Cricket Club. The team had an awesome winning record as they travelled throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada.
Colin was a very active member in the Jefferson Avenue Church in Rochester, New York. He loved his Sabbath school classes and was an inspiring and energetic teacher. For many years he served as the Home Missionary (Personal Ministry) leader. One of his greatest joys of serving was during Ingathering. He was one of the top ingatherers in the church, and when he reached his goal and beyond he would help others who could not go out, to reach their goal. That's just how giving he was. In the fall he would glean the neighboring farmer's fields and willingly share baskets of fruits and vegetables with friends and church members.
He worked as a machinist until his retirement in 1985. He was awarded for innovative ideas that improved production, and others soon discovered that there weren't many things that he could not make. Colin enjoyed cooking his famous Bajan dishes such as cou-cou flying fish and coconut bread. His warm personality, sense of humor and corny jokes endeared many to him, and he never met a stranger.
Colin believed a Christian education was paramount for his children. He would leave his full-time eight hour job and head off to another job to make sure his children were taught of the Lord. There were even times when he had a total of three jobs: a full time and two part-time jobs in order to meet his financial responsibilities. He balanced all of this and still found quality time to be with his family. As both a young man and even as recent as last month, he always led out in family worship and prayer.

Ninety-five years the Lord blessed him to live, and it was not without its challenges. As the years began to take their toll it was evident that Colin and his wife, Arlene, could no longer be self-sufficient, so they moved to Maryland. The complete story must one day be told how the Lord worked miracles on their behalf for their care and relocation. For the last eight years they were embraced by the Dupont Park Church family and felt very much loved. There are many stories, many lives that he touched and many lives that touched his. It all cannot and will not be told here. He will have all eternity to reminisce.
The Bible says,
"He brings everything to pass precisely at its time; He also puts eternity in their mind, but without man ever guessing, from first to last, all the things that God brings to pass." Ecclesiastes 3:11 (Tanakh)
So it was on October 15, 2015 at 6:12 a.m. he breathed his last breath and closed his eyes with the promise, "because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV). He went to sleep in Jesus with the blessed hope of one day hearing the voice of His Savior and Lord.
He leaves behind those who were proud and happy to call him their father, grandfather and uncle. His sons Rodney (Gloria), Colin Jr. (Jeanne), Gerard (Maurrie) and Van; his daughters, Irene and Millie; his grandchildren, Levi, Melanie, Courtney, Portia, Caprice, Kathy, Marguerite, Sebron, Joicie, Brandon, Barbie, Quiina, Shalique and Marquilia; his great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends will cherish his memory.
We're trav'ling to Immanuel's land,
We soon shall hear the trumpet sound,
And soon we shall with Jesus reign,
And never, never part again.
What! Never part again? No, never part again,
What! Never part again? No, never part again,
And soon we shall with Jesus reign,
And never, never part again.