Daniel S. Vassell

Daniel, “Danny”; “Uncle Danny”; “Daddy”; was born in the parish of Kingston, in Jamaica
to Jamaican parents, Leford Vassell and Monica Stewart on January 2, 1953, the 2 nd child of
his mother with maternal siblings John, Joshua “Martin”, Maria and in-laws Folly Vassell
and Devon Harbajan.  Growing up, he lost his father at a young age and became the “care-
giver in the family.  He was the one at the tender age of 14 y.o. would pick up his little sister
from Kindergarten, put her on his shoulders and bounced down Mountain View Ave, about a
10 minutes’ walk to home. He could be seen as a teen, awaiting his mother at the bus-stop to
take her bags and walk her to their home when she finished working at nights. He began
working as a teenager fixing radios and televisions at home and continued even while
employed in a company, Stereoview. His boss trusted him and wanted to give him greater
responsibilities which Danny declined. It was this trust that others had in him why the
landlord, when he was moving out of his large home, thought of no other tenant but Danny to
offer it to inhabit. Before Danny’s mother reached retirement age, he “retired” her as he felt
that it was time for her to stay home and rest. He then became the breadwinner for the
family.
Danny became the father of six children - his only son, Bobby Dean, his daughters, Claudette
Spence-Wright, Suzette, Aretha, Deneisha, and Natisha Lewis (god-daughter).  At the time of
death he had nine grand-children - Brandon, Leon, Horace, Marcus, Prince, Windsor, Dylan
and Charles, Sukayla (his only grand-daughter) plus great-grand-child, Amir., Maternal
nieces are Sophia, Rosalee, Julie-Ann, Natasha and maternal nephews, Carl “Fred” and
DeMario. Also, other relatives, cousins, ½ brothers (paternal), Clement, Zebo.
He also leaves behind his partner, Elizabeth Newby, “Liz”, who he held as a confidante and
life-partner.
Maria recalls Danny taking in his then wife’s 3 female siblings into their home when they
faced the threat of political violence in their volatile community. She recalls him paying for
her 1 st term in college to begin her degree. He was always concerned about his family getting
a proper education and their needs being met in the best ways possible. Even when estranged
from some members of his family, he sought to “take the higher road”, forgive and help them
if they were in need. She recalls he and friends having serious disagreements, almost coming
to blows and a few hours after they were all sitting at the domino-table enjoying the game
and poking fun at each other. He also assisted many who desired to migrate to the USA and
Canada.
Danny migrated to the USA in 1982.  He swore not to leave his mother in a rented house and
got busy for months, refurbishing the dilapidated house in Spanish Town left to his Mom and

her siblings by their parents. He then took his Mom to the USA in 1989 to join him, where he
took care of her until her death in April 2020. His was a remarkable taking care of, as he
lived alone with her after awhile, preparing meals for her when she could no longer help
herself; dealing with her medical needs and visits, etc.  That love and devotion for his mother
never changed, even when she needed 24-hr care as she became a “fall risk” and he, being a
male, could not render that service. He and Maria grappled with that difficult decision to
release her to stay in a Nursing Home upon the advice of the doctors. She was doing so well t
the Rehab Center attached to the Home that her children wondered whether it would be a dis-
service to her to take her out because she seemed so happy interacting there with persons her
own age-group. His mother had said she would not mind living with other older folks with
her family staying close to her, visiting, etc. She got her wish and was in the Nursing Home
playing Bingo with the other residents, enjoying painting, singing and reciting the Scriptures
in the Christian services held there and having great conversations with the nurses and aides
who attended to her needs. This made Danny happy. From his constant visits and his usual
friendly sociable disposition, the staff knew him by name and allowed him even late visits
when necessary. Little did they know that he would have spent a short stint with them, as a
patient, in his last months of life.
He went to lengths to assist his elderly Aunt Beatrice and grand-aunt, Iris, while they were
alive in Jamaica. He and his sister, Maria, collaborated to financially support them until their
death.
Danny developed acid-reflux and later a lung-illness which affected his breathing severely.
This slowed him down tremendously – the usual “up-and-go-someone-needs-my-help” kind
natured person.  Daniel sowed kindness within and outside of his family. Apart from his
children, his nieces and nephews could all point to some way that he assisted them to move
forward in life. It is no wonder that, he was living at his daughter, Suzette’s house, who took
care of him, meals, shopping, etc. during the years of his sickness (pre, during and after
COVID). A familiar scene. What he did for his mother, his daughter was able to do for him!
It is no wonder that while in hospital in his final days, his siblings were doing video-calls
with him facilitated by Suzette. He receiving prayers, comforting words, etc. and in the
moment of death, while his hand was being held by his daughter, other family members were
on calls, speaking with him.
For his younger brother Joshua “Martin”, Danny was the brother who insisted that he be
allowed to travel and spend some time in another country. He remembers him as kind and
jovial. “He was a genius; could do a lot of trades.” His older brother John recalls, how they
got along well as brothers. He was generous. He will always be remembered.
Danny was a good Dad, a counsellor for his family, a community person while growing up, a
friend to the elderly, someone who was seeking the advancement of others, even if they were
rejected by others – that’s our beloved, brother, Dad, uncle, grand-father, great-grandfather,
Daniel S. Vassell. He is now absent from the body but present in our memories – loving
memories, precious memories, perpetual memories.   WHAT DANNY DID FOR OTHERS,
HE RECEIVED IN DEATH, SURROUNDED BY THOSE WHO LOVED HIM AND ARE
FOREVER GRATEFUL!

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