Services will be held for John Jeffrey Horrocks at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, at All Saints Cathedral. Jeff or “Mr. Jeff,” as he was affectionately known, passed away in his apartment at the Lucinda Millin Home on Thursday, May 20.
Jeff was born on March 17, 1928, in Holyoke Massachusetts. He moved to the Virgin Islands in the mid 1960s to help open one of the islands first flower shops and quickly decided to make our island his home. For many years, he was employed as the florist for Government House and, thereafter, as the switch board operator. He was also receptionist at Fort Christian and Roy Lester Schneider Hospital for many years.
He will always be remembered for his elegant, yet simple, floral arrangements that graced government buildings, banquet halls and churches throughout St. Thomas, St. Croix and BVI for almost 40 years. Throughout his life Jeff lovingly shared this gift with others, helped them to master the art of floral decorating and arrangement, and encouraged them to strike out on their own.
A man of deep compassion, Jeff treated everyone with respect, kindness and gratitude. These traits endeared him to all who met him. He assisted and helped others in any way that he could. His kindness to animals is legendary. His caring came from a very deep place in his heart.
He embraced the Baha’i faith in the 1970s, yet maintained his close association with the Anglican Church in which he was baptized.
Jeff left no surviving family, leaving only his dearly loved friends and well-wishers too numerous to mention. We thank all who cared for him, looked in on him, telephoned, helped sustain his spiritual life and did so many other things to return the love and service he gave to our community. As we grieve, let us also remain confident that Jeff has been warmly welcomed by our loving Lord into the World of Lights with joy and is now immersed in the ocean of His grace and mercy!
Friends include Lorna Webster and the staff of Blooming Things, Gladys Springette and the staff of Springette’s Flower Shop, Diane Bryan and the staff of Roses Too East and Roses Too Flower Shop, Toni Jackson and the staff of Silk Greenery, Dock Side Book Store and staff, Yvette Garbutt and the staff of Drug Farm, Catholic Charities, Bethlehem House, Dr. Alfred Heath and staff, Lucinda Millin residents and the staff, Sandra Bradley and the Department of Human Services staff, Yvonne Gomez and family, Kevin and Diana Marcelli and family, Daisy Rogers and family, Gwendolyn Blake and family, Gloria Loberg and family, Gloria Kane and family, Elaine Lynch and family, Alex Gabriel, Natalie Canoville, Susan Spann, Dora Huggins and family, Glaston Smith and family, Anthony Tony Smith, Zulah Hodge, Cheryl Sturgess, Vincent Thomas and family, Julien Gumbs and family, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Nelthrop, Una deWindt, Marmalade and Silhouette, Ezmie F. Callwood, Lydia King, Rudolph Flax, Carmen Lindesay, Edith Richardson, Margarita Smith and Roy Slack.
All arrangements are entrusted to Davis Memorial Funeral Home, 774-1464.
