On February 28, 2025, Maanazo Lamakalo peacefully transitioned from this world to join his parents and many siblings. His primary survivors include one sister, Daphne Frett; and three brothers, Jerry, William and Asiah Frett. Nieces, nephews and in-laws are too numerous to list.
Special family members and friends include Ludrick Thomas and family, Dean C. Leonard, Attorney Joseph Caines, Kwabena Davis and family, Joan McClean and family, Gerald Williams, Celeste Garris and family, Leroy Richardson, and the Webster family.
The following siblings preceded him in death: Estelle, Mary, Vitalia, Roosevelt, Leo, Antonio, Romie, Lilliet, Olga, Olanzo, Ivan, Joel, Ocrin, and Orvil.
As a youngster, Lamakalo, then known as Jamie Frett, was energized when taking care of his Purina chickens and maintaining his vegetable garden at his home in Savan. Neither he nor those observing him could have known that decades later his dream of farming would be realized in Estate Bordeaux. Lamakalo looked forward to preparing the soil, planting, and sharing the fruits and vegetables. He was living his dream.
Another dream was to become a wrestler or boxer, but that faded in the presence of basketball. Suddenly, all else was put on hold while he gathered basketball information and spent hours on the basketball court. During that love affair, he was fortunate to not only become a player, but also a coach of neighborhood youth teams, and a contributor to the organization and management of the sport in the territory. He was passionate about basketball and especially committed to the young players.
Those experiences may have led to his employment with the Community Action Agency and as the Community Development Advisor to a former senator. Years later he served as the Project Manager, Division of Cultural Education in the Virgin Islands Department of Education.
Throughout most of his lifetime, Lamakalo was engaged in a self-imposed journey to achieve greater spiritual growth. In addition to Yahwism, he has explored philosophies and practices of the Rastafarian, Muslim, and Adventist. Despite health challenges resulting from a fall, he remained committed to and fully engaged with the study groups.
On Wednesday, March 19, the Tributes and Burial Service will be held at the Church of the Apostles’ Doctrine located at 103C-1 Smith Bay in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Tributes will be accepted 9 to 10 a.m. and the service will immediately follow at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at the Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery, Behind Row J.
Professional funeral services entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
