From Field to Fontabelle

FROM humble beginnings, a young man rose to fame and prominence through hard work and dedication.

This is how Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader, Verla De Peiza, remembers Rawle Cecil Brancker, who passed away on Tuesday at age 83. In her statement, she celebrated the life of a man who gave back to his country through his sportsmanship and business acumen.

The former cricketer was born November 19, 1937 in the little village of Emmerton, St. Michael.

A former Combermere student, he played cricket at the Empire Cricket Club as a young man.

De Peiza noted that he demonstrated prowess with both bat and ball, which led to him being called to national duty.

“Less than 10 matches in, he caught the eye of the regional selectors and proudly wore the West Indies cap for the first time in the 1966 tour of England. Later, he also captained the Barbados side. His retirement from the field did not mean an abandonment of the game, as he became more involved in the development of younger cricketers through his activities at Empire Club, garnering him the accolade of honorary Vice President and Trustee of the club. He also was an integral part of the initial planning committee for Cricket World Cup 2007,” stated De Peiza.

The DLP leader also commented on his contribution to the business sector. She said he was a “noted black businessman – a co-founder of Barbados Lumber Company and the owner of Brancker’s on Fontabelle, and a dedicated and committed member of the Democratic Labour Party”.

As his beloved daughter has predeceased him, he leaves to mourn his wife and two sons, his close and dear friends Sir Philip Greaves, Sir Wes Hall, and the remainder of the weekly domino club.

“The Democratic Labour Party extends condolences to his immediate family, his extended family including the cricketing fraternity, and all who mourn his passing. Our country is the poorer without this son,” wrote De Peiza. (KPB)