Man killed days before wedding anniversary

Today, Shornelle Gaymes and her husband Winston “Philly” Gaymes, were expected to reflect on that moment seven years ago when they both walked down the aisle and exchanged weddings vows. Shornelle will however have to reminisce alone.{{more}}

She is still trying to piece together a broken heart after her husband became the fourth road fatality in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2010.

Winston, 33, died on Thursday, August 12, at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) after his bicycle was involved in an accident with motor vehicle PC644, owned by Curt Williams of Layou and driven by Jamal Dyer of the same address.

Reports claim that Winston, who worked at the Buccament Bay Resort as a mason, was returning home from his night shift at about 7a.m. when the accident took place. However, Shornelle may be comforted by the fact that the last

thing her husband said to her was, “I love you”.

Fighting back tears, Shornelle said before Winston left for work on Wednesday morning, the day before his death, he came to where she was washing clothes and gave her a kiss. “He kissed me and tell me ‘yo done know how it go ah ready’,” she recalled.

A post mortem report revealed that Winston died from injuries to his head and chest.

Describing her husband as a “loving, caring and polite” individual who loved his children dearly, Shornelle said when she first heard the news of the fatal accident, she began crying and started running around.

“I just couldn’t believe when I hear the news and I can’t celebrate my anniversary without him,” she said, as she wiped tears from her puffy eyes. The couple has three children together.

Vivian Gaymes, Winston’s mother, was planning on visiting her homeland for a vacation; she not did envisage making plans for her son’s funeral, which will be held on Sunday, August 22.

Vivian, who resides in Trinidad, said she was just about to leave Trinidad to come to St.Vincent and the Grenadines when news reached her that her son had perished in an accident.

“I was in shock and I could not believe what I heard…My son was a wonderful man who was not disrespectful at all,” she said.

About three weeks ago, Winston turned his life over to Christ and was baptised.

Winston’s niece, Roslyn Francis, is wondering who is going to fill the void, now that the man whom her children looked up to, is gone.

“I will miss him, but I know my two kids will miss him more…He was the kind of person you could call on to do anything,” Francis added.

Close family friend, Ava “Miss Bush” Bush, recounted fond memories of the deceased. “He was like a brother to me…I just can’t find words to express how I feel right now. I will miss him,” she said.

Winston’s funeral will take place at the Layou Seventh Day Adventist Church.