Orman Cyril Beckles was born on February 8^th 1930 in Boston to Cuthbert Loshington Beckles from Barbados, and Susannah Rebecca Burleigh from St. Lucia. He was the fourth of five children. He grew up in Cambridge and went to the Roberts School on Windsor St. While in High School he participated on the Rindge track relay team which consisted of him and his three brothers. He left school to follow his brothers into the army. Upon his return home he went back to school and graduated.

He was given the opportunity to help his uncle open a restaurant in Trinidad and he jumped at the chance to travel to another country. He returned home after two years. But he never lost the love of cooking that he developed there. He made the trip back there forty years later to celebrate Carnival once more.

He met his wife, Patricia Hyatt while she was taking care of his mother as a student nurse in the hospital. With his mother’s encouragement and approval, they were married on December 29^th 1954.They had two wonderful children from that union. Patricia and Orman.

Orman started work at the Swan Fastener company on Windsor St Cambridge, and worked evenings at the Bradford Novelty making Christmas ornaments in the same building. When the Swan Fastener closed on a Friday afternoon, he applied for another job and was working at it that next Monday. He never minded hard work and was a good provider for his family.

He went to work for the Vogue Silverware company as a die setter, first in Medford and then in Lowell. He worked for them for 30 years, moving up to foreman and obtaining a degree from Wentwoth Institute, along the way. When that company folded, on his way home he saw a job advertised, he applied for it and before he arrived home the company called and said he had the job. He stayed with that company called Chomerics, making insulation for missiles for the government until he finally retired at the age of 62.

Orman was a very quiet, private man who enjoyed staying home with his family. He loved gardening, and his front yard was the pride of Meridian Street. He spent many hours working on his house and redecorated every room in it. On holidays and special occasions his extended family would gather at his home for cook outs. His peas and rice were always the most requested items on the menu. For many years his family would come to his house for New Year’s Eve, and some did not leave until dawn. In later years, one special couple came every year and played cards all night.

Oman loved his clothes. He liked wearing different cufflinks and tie pins. His ties, shirts, and sox always had to complement each other, and he always wore the latest styles. He loved his jewelry and enjoyed buying antique rings. He loved his cars. He spent hours polishing and shining them. He enjoyed adding the latest accessories, including white walled tires, with fancy rims. His brother in law sent him a cane from overseas, once and that started him collecting canes. He amassed over fifty different ones.

Orman’s health deteriorated over the past five years, but he never lost his sense of humor. With the support of his family he was able to stay at home, and pass away peacefully in his sleep.

Most of all he loved his family. He and Pat celebrated over 61 years of marriage. He leaves behind to mourn his passing his brother Cuthbert. brother in law Gilbert Hyatt and wife Soontree. Son Orman, (Leigh), and daughter in law Merit. Grandson Mikk and granddaughter Phaedra. Great granddaughters Ashley and Bobbie Leigh. Nephew Kenneth Beckles and family. Great-great grandson Desmond, and many cousins and friends.

Although he was a quiet man his absence will resound loudly for many years.

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