IN PICTURES: “Penville Five” laid to rest

Five young men from Penville who died tragically in a motor vehicle accident on August 6th, 2017, were buried on Saturday, August 19th.

Below are some pictures of the funeral during which Mandela Ophar, Clement Leblanc, Cecil Jude Jean, Jean Louis Sango and Chris Marcellin were laid to rest.

 

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30 Comments

  1. August 22, 2017

    UK Dominican…You got me laughing…The coffins decorated like Cadbury’s Roses chocolate boxes…
    Well listen up here…Whether the boxes look ” solemn” as you would have preferred to see them or as
    Cadbury’s Roses chocolate boxes…it’s makes no difference…The guys are long gone and all the relatives and love ones had were carcasses ,,,the only thing that they were good for is to get reed of them asap,,,What really matter were their souls,,,and they took off the said same Sunday morning of the accident and what was left of them really don’t mean a thing,,,
    And so,,place it in a solemn box,,a cadbury roses chocolate box,,a plastic bag,,a sheet it changes nothing..
    THE PERSON IS GONE…

    • Anonymous
      August 22, 2017

      Amen brother. The pappy show was not for their benefit.

  2. Boisdiab Militia
    August 21, 2017

    The dog & pony show. What a spectacle. Shame on penville people for allowing this. Roosevelt took advantage of your grief

    • Mother
      August 22, 2017

      I agree and say it was tacky. These young men are dead and that is very sad. I just hope they are not turning them into heroes or martyrs now for political gain. I think the truth is most probably they partied hard all night, drunk a lot and the driver fall asleep at the wheel. I hope they did not suffer too much in their death. Let them rest in peace and don’t make a circus out of it.

  3. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    August 21, 2017

    Viewing the five coffins sadly remind me when some young or older people in the part of the world I reside in die in some sort of accident or fire and the funeral service and interment are at the same time.
    We, ourselves have lost loved ones either through natural causes or other. Our hearts must be with the bereaved. Our prayers must go out to them for God’s consolation and strength for them.
    It is at times as these, people realize how kind and compassionate others are. This is the good thing about people, about nationals. Everyone has it in them, be they near or far to contribute one way or the other, be it in prayers, to help the family bear this immense and overbearing sorrow. God hears the prayers.
    Weep, mourn with those who weep and mourn. Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.

  4. Connecting the dots
    August 21, 2017

    Since after Skerrit told DLP supporters in St. Joseph to call members of the opposition “traitors” even when seen at a funeral, it became abundantly clear to me that Skerrit was indicating that funerals were no longer a solemn place of mourning but a place where the political Purse could be broken so that the grave becomes a political platform to score political points. I am yet to understand how is that 5 young men from Penville died in an accident that took place in Vielle case, on Sunday August 6, at a time that the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit was still on island according to one of his ministers on site that day, who said openly that PM was on his way to the site, but somehow the man NEVER showed up, left Dominica for two weeks,, was on the agenda to give a special address the night of the candle light vigil but NEVER showed up, but was able to put an expensive funeral out, while he attended with VERY dark darkers, did not give that special address. Y did U hide ur face?

  5. UK Dominican
    August 21, 2017

    Don’t know who’s idea it was to decorate the coffins like Cadbury’s Roses chocolate boxes. It is garish, and distractive and cheapens what should be a solemn occasion. Too much bling ! Did the young men’s parents have any say in this?. Maybe this explains the P.M.’s need to wear sunglasses throughout the ceremony? I would have expected more decorum but that is only my opinion of course

    • Nurse
      August 21, 2017

      Dear UK Dominican,

      Which color in your opinion represents a “solemn” occasion? In my opinion, the phrase “to each his own” is quite fitting here. Also, occasion was already a sad one the the people chose to do what they wished to brighten up the day a bit…with regards to the PM wearing sunglasses, I figure if you were in his shoes you would have known how HARD it was for him too.

      • Me
        August 21, 2017

        No point arguing about taste, is there. To each his- or her own.

      • Emile Dominique
        August 21, 2017

        @ Nurse….. There are some very negative people who will always say bad things about the PM. There is a lot posted by the gang of traitors who support the UWP.
        These people are so disrespectful of the deceased that they are saying that these 5 young men were human sacrifices.

      • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
        August 22, 2017

        Some people love to scrutinize and criticize everything and never offer condolence to show they have a compassionate heart and at such a time.
        The majority of D/cans, residents and overseas mourn with the family members; More majority than less as those who criticize the color of the coffins. I did not pay attention to the color as much as I paid attention to the outpouring of grief, family members and others.
        I think the colors, drawings are artistic; a work of art. This was also to identify them and their preferences. Furthermore, they were young men and deserving of it. I am certain they would be happy about it.
        I have considered, when people die God allows them to get a view of those who mourn and weep. In their spiritual world they know who truly cared about them and while they were alive.
        D/cans and the rest of the world lost five young lives and this is sad. The good that people say and do follow them. These guys did their part in their short life.

    • Fran
      August 21, 2017

      Pray do tell, how does one cheapen burying a love one? This day is already hard for the families. If the colours (maybe the favourite colours) of their love ones helps to alleviate their pain just a centimeter, who are you to pass judgment on what colour is appropriate for mourning?

      • Me
        August 22, 2017

        Is the way you bury them Fran.

    • public truth meter
      August 21, 2017

      UK Dominican
      Your comment is very unpatriotic,. It looks different to you, but the majority think it was fitting. I am sure the family, friends and the people who knew them thought it was fitting for their them, their personality and they way they live their life.
      Who are you to comment on what they should and should not have had. When it is your turn you get to decide in the mean time the family made their decision and like it or not you should respect that.
      Skerrit was wearing sunglasses like everyone else because he did not want to show the pain through his eyes, so it is very disgusting you would think it is because of the details on the coffin
      I am almost sure you did not contribute to their burial or even sympathize with the family.
      Your comment is painful, insensitive, distasteful and useless.

      You should be ashamed of your self for that comment. Shame on you.

    • jello
      August 21, 2017

      Honestly speaking this is not the time nor place to make petty criticism.

    • Roots of Ambas residing in the USA
      August 21, 2017

      Wow here goes the ignorant….unlearnt… Unsympathetic…. When is this CRAP gonna end… I believe it was fitting to do what was done.. It showed how they brilliant young guys enjoyed life.. This negative attitude isn’t welcomed at such difficult time in the lives of the families.. I believe doing what was done to the caskets was fitting and nicely done. RIP my brothers….

    • Keeping it real
      August 21, 2017

      UK Dominican like you said you don’t know who’s idea it was so who are you to judge. If you look at the coffins you will realize that each has something that was dear to the boys. If their families just to send them off in that manner it is their call and no one else. Instead of making such comments sympathize with the family and wish them well other wise keep your comments to yourself.

    • Anonymous
      August 21, 2017

      If I was top dog in the country I would want a Cucci casket with Versace lining for myself, in the shape of my favorite watch. There has to be rank and respect even in death after all.

    • South side lovely
      August 21, 2017

      You are an outsider, I forgive you for you know not what you have said, THE PERSON WHO DID THESE 5 YOUNG MEN COFFINS WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF THEIRS, who knew a lot about them, their favourite colours, what they liked etc, who are you to come criticizing their coffins? Each depicts what each of them liked be it their colour or whatever and you coming here with that crap really though? It’s why people like you go down in plain brown coffins anyway, no light! no brightness! you dry jackaree

    • Mia
      August 21, 2017

      Stupessss….UK Dominican go wash the dirty dishes in ur dam sink…save that comment for the person responsible 4 ur burial….reminding them that u should not be buried in any of the Cadbury roses chocolate boxes….smdh

    • rikitay
      August 21, 2017

      UK Dominican Please, why don’t you mind your business? we the family do not need your advice keep it for when your turns comes around.. idiot

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      August 21, 2017

      Think of others; not how you feel. Did you consider that they had a reason for doing so? They were young men and well-loved. Send them off in color and fashion. It took nothing out of them, the departed. I see nothing wrong with that.
      What is important here is what occurred to them, the loss of their lives, their family and mourners’ grief.
      The PM wore glasses due to the sun. Also, you never know, he may have shed a few tears. It is not easy to attend such a funeral where five young lives were instantaneously gone through an accident. You should be compassionate.

    • TeteMorne I From
      August 22, 2017

      You know, this is NPOT the time to be picky: first of all, it is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. The families did what makes them happy. Did you want them to choose BLACK coffins? Just pay your respects and get off the net!
      I kixx a lot on here, but there is a time to be serious, and that time is now.

  6. hmm
    August 21, 2017

    so sad but gone. Let that be a lesson to us who are still here. RIP brothers.

  7. way papa
    August 21, 2017

    That moment when you do not know they people but by the pictures you feel their pain.

    So Sad .Rip Penville 5

  8. Marguerite
    August 21, 2017

    May their souls rest in peace.

  9. Titiwi
    August 21, 2017

    I understand that the funeral expenses and arrangements were largely taken care of by the government. Let us be charitable and say that this was done out of compassion and not seen as an opportunity for scoring poiltical points. One must question, however the wisdom of the liberal handing out so much rum during the subsequent happy hour. I’m sorry but I do think this was insensitive under the circumstances, to say the least.

    • Barbara Saunders
      August 21, 2017

      Hi Titiwi
      I pray that the day will come in Dominica when we can genuinely be sympathetic about another’s misfortune. You know, like in the old days before the radio talk show badmouthings began which have effectivey changed the persona of Dominica for the worse.

      I agree with you about the happy hour as I do not consider this a fitting way to honour the passing of anybody. It is an imported practice which now seems the order of the day. I sincerely hope that the government had nothing to do with arranging for or paying for alcohol to be served.

      Let there be Peace!

    • Ideal
      August 21, 2017

      Titiwi, I agree with you “so much rum during the subsequent happy hour”. I would think they would be more compassionate seeing that we all think the driver was intoxicated. We worship rum to much in Dominica we can celebrate without all this booze. My my fellow Dominican brothers RIP.

    • Mam
      August 21, 2017

      Stupessss…. skeritt doesn’t have to do a CUTLERY for him to be victorious in his consituency….focus on selling ur titwi and free us up!!

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