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I want to put a memorial note about Anita Layfield who lived in St. Thomas from the early 1960's in grade school to the early 1980's. I went to the reunion two years ago in Ft. Meyers. My family lived in St. Thomas from 1966 through 1980's My sister is Marilyn (Woodmansee) Allen, My brother Mike Niderost, brother Bill Adams. We were in our teens when the "LE CLUB " was going strong.

Linda Woodmansee-Burns

Hello,
I just started a new club, the Bon Vivant Island Club. I originally started the French Connection Club and have now formed a new club.

Our first party is Saturday, June 10th 2006 at the Surfside Inn of Daytona Beach. All of you are invited to join us. Our club membership is for all former Virgin
Islanders. We have a website at www.bonvivantislandclub.com.  We have posted a link to your website as well as the Fl. French Connection Club.
Have a great time at your event and I hope you will consider joining our club too. Come and Par-tay with your friends.Thanks. Gloria Feinauer (Bryan)
 

In Loving Memory of Leonard Stein

Founding Member of the U.S.V.I. Olympic Team
and St. Thomas Radio Pioneer

Leonard Stein was born in the Bronx, NY on December 17, 1929.  Throughout his 74 years, he lived a full and rewarding life.  He was sentimental, yet stood firm on what he believed.  He was committed to his family and work and made an impact on those he touched.  He had a larger-than-life personality and was passionate for his loved ones. 

Growing up in New York City, Len attended Champlain College before joining the Air Force.  He served during the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa.  It was during these years that he fell in love with the islands and found the love of his life, Josephine.  In 1959, Len and Josephine moved from the Pacific Islands to St. Thomas, where they made their home and raised their family for the next 37 years - - of which a few were spent in St. Maarten.  Although Len and Josephine retired to Florida in 1996, St. Thomas was always in his heart. 

Len had wide-ranging energies and became an integral part of the community.  He was most commonly known for his work with the radio station, WSTA, and could be heard from Puerto Rico to the Eastern Caribbean on his “Sports of All Sorts” or “the Bull Pen” broadcasts - - his love for sports was obvious.  Whether it was a live morning show from Denmark, the arrival of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip for the first visit by an English Monarch to the BVI in 200 years, or providing the communication lifeline for so many during Hurricane Hugo, Len was there and ready to tackle what needed to be done.  His dedication was unquestionable.  Some also say his legacy at WSTA was his work behind the scenes and being known as one of the best radio salesman in the Caribbean.   Either way, WSTA was a large part of his life and, Len was a large part of WSTA’s life.

The radio station, however, was not the only mark Len made on St. Thomas.  He was a public servant and involved in causes such as the Carnival Committee, the Jaycees and the Rotary Club.  He also ran for office on an especially public “Victory 66” ticket.  However, a monumental achievement that will impact St. Thomians forever was Len becoming the 1^st President of the U.S. Virgin Islands Olympic Committee.  He began working with the International Olympics Committee in the early 1960’s and was one of the founding members of the U.S.V.I. Olympic Team.  He led the Virgin Islands delegation for the first time to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. 

It wasn’t all work for Len.  Family, friends and enjoying life were equally important to him.  He had the ability to make any occasion a true event and he always marked life’s celebrations in grand style.  He loved to travel and saw the world; he loved the ocean and the beach and lived in the Caribbean; Oreo cookies and chocolate covered donuts were two of his favorite food groups; and of course, his favorite drink was CC with Ginger Ale.   

He was a pioneer, leader, and mentor, but more importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  He and Josephine raised 3 sons (Tom, Harry and JB) and 1 daughter (Leah).  He was also lucky enough to have his sister (Rona), 3 grandchildren (Tom, Jennifer and Maximillian) and 1 great-grandson (Devon).

A longtime friend and a 30 year off and on resident of St. Thomas, John (JC) Lanigan passed away on September 10, 2005 at the VA hospital due to liver failure. His son is scattering his ashes on his birthday in November in St. Thomas in the water. We are having a party for him in Frenchtown on November 13, 2005 at the Hook Line and Sinker.

Claire was originally from England and lived in St. Thomas from 1960- 1988.  She opened the original gift shop at Caribbean Beach Hotel for Bill Dowling which eventually evolved into Cardow.

Claire worked for Bolero at the Hilton for many years and then moved to W.I. Corp running their in house sales division until she retired in 1988 and moved to Arizona to be with her daughter, Terri and grand children, Tim & Mackenzie.

She was loved by many ...and often involved in the Jazz movement in St. Thomas putting on Sunday afternoon fetes at "The Dove"

She was the mother of the late Don Van Dam, and is survived by her daughter Terri Solomon- Schirmer, her grandson, Tim Schirmer, and granddaughter, Mackenzie Schirmer who reside in Phoenix.

She will be missed more than anyone could possibly know....but hopefully she is up there with Don and at peace at last.  Terri can be reached at Bitesz77@aol.com  

Dr. Donald R. Myers, a 35 year resident of St. Thomas, died on April 27, 2005 near his home in Tampa, Florida.  Dr. Myers was 74.  Born in Boston, MA, he attended Arlington, MA public schools.  He graduated from Dartmouth College, where he played football and hockey.  He then graduated from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed a three year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tufts New England Medical Center/Boston City Hospital. 

Dr. Myers served in the USAir Force Dental corps, stationed in Korea and Iwo Jima.  During his service on Iwo Jima he fell in love with tropical island living.  Drawn by the weather and water, he moved his family to the Caribbean from the Boston area in 1967, settling first in San Juan.  He began working for the Virgin Islands government as an oral surgeon in late 1967 and moved to St. Thomas full time in 1972.  He conducted an active dental and oral surgery practice from his office in Estate Thomas.  He was the first oral surgeon in the territory. 

Recently, upon retirement from an active practice, he and his wife, Janet, began to spend more time in the states to be closer to their children and grandchildren. 

 Dr. Myers was a member of the St. Thomas Yacht Club for more than 30 years.  He was active in sailboat racing until he was well into his 60's.  He was an avid sailor, enjoying the beautiful waters around the Virgin Islands.  His last boat, Eleazer’s Tavern, was well known for the painting of an Indian warrior on its bow.  Dr. Myers was also very involved in the St. Thomas community.  He served on the Virgin Islands Board of Dental Licensure and represented the Medical Staff on the Board of Trustees of the Roy L. Schneider hospital.  Additionally, he testified in front of the legislature many times on issues related to health insurance. 

In addition to Janet, his wife of 43 years,  Dr. Myers is survived by his sons Rick and Jamie, daughters Lynda Barack and Kathie Doton and grandchildren Robert, Annie, Edward, Lily, Alex, Elizabeth and Anne.  His daughter, Lynda, and her husband are expecting their first child in July. 

A memorial service was held at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home in Tampa, Florida on May 3, 2005.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center (12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa, FL 33612-9497 or www.moffitt.usf.edu ), or to the Dartmouth College Athletic Sponsors (Dartmouth College Athletic Program, 6083 Alumni Gymnasium, Hanover, NH 03755-3512 or www.dartmouth.edu/athletics). 

Funeral Home: Blount & Curry, Tampa, FL 813-876-2421

March 3, 2005 – St. Thomas resident Charlotte Kaufman Paiewonsky died Thursday at her home on Blackbeard's Hill. She was 91. She founded A.H. Riise gift shop, the Main Street store still in Paiewonsky family ownership. Paiewonsky served as its president for more than 30 years. Her husband of 67 years, Isidor, died Dec. 6, 2004 at age 95. Paiewonsky's son, former Sen. Michael Paiewonsky, died June 17, 2004.

She is survived by her daughter, Avna Paiewonsky Cassinelli; grandchildren Sebastiano Paiewonsky Cassinelli, Filippo Cassinelli, Justus Paiewonsky, Paul Paiewonsky, Mahine Paiewonsky Stewart and Christopher Paiewonsky; granddaughters-in-law Julie Paiewonsky Cassinelli and Tricia Cassinelli; grandson-in-law Alexander Stewart; great grandchildren Angelica, Isaac, Lukas, Mikkel, Max and Theo Paiewonsky, Isabella Stewart and Julia Alessandra sinelli; and great-step-grandchildren Olivia and Sophia Foster.

Paiewonsky was born in Tampa, Fla. in 1914. She attended Florida State College in Tallahassee, and graduated from Hunter College in New York City. She moved to St. Thomas after her marriage to Isidor Paiewonsky in 1938. Paiewonsky was active in St. Thomas civic life from the time she arrived. She played leadership roles with the Community Chest, the Red Cross and the St. Thomas Synagogue, and served on the boards of the Retailers’ Association and the Community Music Association. She helped to found the Antilles School and served on its board from 1953 to 1983. In the late 1980s, she was named an honorary trustee of the school. Filippo Cassinelli remembers his grandmother's Thanksgiving dinners. "They were wonderful events with interesting people," he said. And he said that the entire family always went sailing on Christmas Day. "We did that for a couple of decades," he said. He said that in addition to being a "remarkable" businesswoman, she cared deeply about her community and the people she worked with. He said she always opened her home to her friends and family and for charitable functions for the St. Thomas Synagogue. As word circulated Thursday of her death, friends remembered her fondly. "She was a wonderful person and a brilliant business woman," Honor Tranum said. She said the two went to lunch every week. Long-time friend Bette Davis said she too lunched often with Paiewonsky. "We stayed so long that Alexander's wanted to put us out at 3 p.m.," Davis said, referring to a Frenchtown Restaurant that has since changed names. She said Paiewonsky had a natural grace and tact that others had to work hard to attain. Franzi Coulianos said she and Paiewonsky had been friends for over 50 years. "From the first week she came to St. Thomas," Coulianos said. Coulianos recalled Paiewonsky as very kind. "She was a sweet and giving person," Coulianos said, adding that her friend gave a lot to the community. Dr. Alfred O. Heath said that he "supped" many times at Paiewonsky's table. "The salmon was out of this world," he said. He too recalled her as a gracious and generous lady. "We will miss her greatly," he said.

A funeral service will be held at 3:45 p.m. Monday at the St. Thomas Synagogue. Burial will follow at the Synagogue's Altona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the St. Thomas Synagogue or to the Isidor and Charlotte Paiewonsky Fund at the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.

3/2/05 - Jim Evans

From the St. Thomas One Source –

Jim Evans, East End Developer, Dead at 74

by Source staff  

One of Jim's accomplishments was creating Cowpet Bay, the first condominiums in the Caribbean. Cowpet was featured in "National Geographic."
Jim remained involved at the East End for over four decades where he was involved in the establishment of a Montessori School, and was one of the founding members of the St. Thomas Yacht Club. He also was instrumental in founding a local chapter of Rotary Club International Later, he and his wife Tewa supported Virgin Islanders who struggled with mental illness and substance abuse by sponsoring events including "Pow Wow in Paradise" and the Caribbean premiere of "Dances with Wolves." With his wife and son he also helped establish and support a local Idaho Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
He founded San Sebastian Marine in St. Augustine, Fla, which produced wooden fishing vessels and steel- hulled ships before setting sail himself for South America. During his colorful life he traveled extensively, including safari Africa, being detained in Castro's Cuba, and mixing well with the Mohawks of Kanawake, Quebec.

He was an able sea captain, scuba diver, aircraft pilot, restaurateur, gentleman farmer and honorary Kentucky Colonel and a wonderful storyteller. He retired in the Wood River Valley, Idaho in 1987 enjoying many friendships and exploring with his horse and faithful dog Mac at his side.
He will be remembered for his strength of character, loyalty to his family and love of his country. He was known by all for his kindness, generosity of spirit, and eagerness for adventure with a big smile and a glimmer in his eyes. He always said he wanted to "die with his boots on" and he succeeded. His greatest work was as a father, husband and friend. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife Tewa, children; Tracy, Julie, Tony and Chris Evans, and their families, including three grand-daughters, Rachel, Baharea, and Luci Evans, his brother, Bill Evans and wife Helen, niece and nephews, Tara Evans Shimberg, Houston Evans, and Bill Edwards. Sister- in-law Nadine Horne and her son Nick Mosca.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Wood River Valley. A celebration of Jim's life will take place at the Light on the Mountain Spiritual Center on Saturday March 5th at 3 p.m. There will also be memorials held in Augusta, Ga., Isle of Palms S.C., and St. Thomas, V. I., to be announced at a later date.

Private services will be held Feb. 19 for Suzanne Savage-Church, also known as "Suzy," who died Jan. 29, 2005, at Schneider Hospital.

She had been a resident of St. Thomas since 1963. After graduating from Antilles School, she attended and graduated from Finch College in New York City. She and her husband, Peter, operated Virgin Islands Radio for more than 20 years.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Church; brother, Tom Savage; sister, Marcia Savage-Devitt; nephews, Blaine and Scott McDevitt; very special friend, Uris O'Neil; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lesley Savage.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Thomas Humane Society in memory of Church's best friend and companion for the last eight years, her dog, "Gizzy."

Arrangements are by John Thomas Memorial Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services.