Gilbert Keith Comissiong

Gilbert Keith Comissiong, Sr., entered into eternal rest and the presence of his Heavenly Father after a long, fulfilling life on October 18th, 2025. He was preceded in death by his Father, George Mildmay Comissiong; his Mother, Maria Ursula Phipps Titley; Brothers Albert Comissiong, Lawrence Comissiong, Bertone Comissiong, Alphonse Marvin Domingo, Sr., and Sisters Ada Comissiong Richards, Ada Comissiong Joseph, Doris Comissiong Richardson Kelly, Evelyn Comissiong, Rosemarie Sonia Lythcott, Lelia Marva Fripp, and numerous other relatives. Gilbert lived a full 91 years, having traveled to 6 continents, served his country in the United States Air Force as a Korean War Veteran, and enjoyed a productive career, which gave him great pride in service to his community. Gilbert grew up between St. Thomas and New York before joining the Air Force and lived in Florida, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia, where he spent the final years of his life. A lover of music inspired by his Uncles Randolph, Vernon, and Gerald Phipps, all musicians who at one time had one of the top bands in the Virgin Islands. His affair with music was a lifelong one that he passed down to his children. He was autodidactic in that he taught himself to play the flute and owned an instrument right up until his death. He had a phenomenal ear and would listen to his favorite music and could play along, all without knowing how to read music. His other lifelong affair was with sports, and he was highly competitive and enjoyed any kind of sport. From horse racing, which he was exposed to at a young age by his cousin, famous jockey Clinton Phipps, for whom the St. Thomas Race Track is named, Gilbert spent countless hours as a youngster exposed to horses, learning how to ride, groom, and care for horses that his Clinton and his Uncle Theodore “ Teddy” Phipps owned. He eventually became the Territorial Horse Racing Commission Chairman, a position that his father, George, was appointed to as the first ever in the Virgin Islands by Governor Morris DeCastro. He was a lover of Boxing and served as timekeeper for several matches in St. Thomas, especially the big matches in Lionel Roberts Stadium. His Mother’s Godson was World Champion Boxer Emile Griffith, and they grew up together. In addition to being a fairly good athlete, he played baseball and softball way into his 50s in the Susthens Vialet League, with his beloved Arawaks. He also played on teams that went off-island to represent the Virgin Islands. A dedicated NY Mets Fan from their first game, which he attended at Ebbets Field, to the NY Giants, and the NY Knicks, anything competitive he loved. For many years after returning to St. Thomas, he worked at the Knud Hansen Hospital as an X-Ray technician and later on as a Chemist and Fuel Oil Control Specialist at the Water and Power Authority until he retired in July of 1991. He then went on to help set up and run the reverse osmosis units responsible for the production of Crown Mountain water. He was a quick learner, highly intelligent, and would teach himself various skills that fascinated him. In his retirement, he even learned to install satellite dishes at one point. Coming from a large family, Gilbert created one of his own. He said just this year, months before his passing, to a few of his children that his children had exceeded his expectations, and his wildest dreams; he never thought they would become who they were, not because of him, but because of who they were. He is survived by his Children: Cheryl Lynn Comissiong-George (Hamilton), Brenda Monique Joseph, Vance Cyril Comissiong-Harris, Jeffrey Keith Comissiong (Alison), Gilbert Keith Comissiong, Jr (Arnelle), Lesley Marie Comissiong-Ducloux (Pierre), Trinita Akina Blyden, Maria Cecilia Comissiong, Katrina Anne Comissiong-Williams (Micheal Sr.), and Anane Omari Comissiong. Grandchildren: Tenekua Marie Dugan (Charles), Aiesha Khalia Shachove, Monique Webbe, Kristine Hacker, Darnell Harris, Elise Harris, Jacey Comissiong, Mya Comissiong, Alexa Comissiong, Annalise Lake, Gilbert Comissiong, III., Shayne Persaud, Katrina Charlotte-Amalia Comissiong, Micheal Waudell Williams Jr., and Milo Clarence Hamilton Williams. Great Grand Children: Denekua Alijah Lynch, Judah Lex Mosiah Joseph, Teadra Cataleya-Marie Dugan, Jahbari Ayinde Brown Jr, JahFari Andrew Green, James Webbe William, Simon Webbe, Marcilene Webbe Duffy, Harley Hacker, Remy Gillings Sisters: Marlene Quarterman, and Joyce, FiDelia, Labeet Titley. Nephews: Warren Bell, Dr. Sidney Comissiong (Ruth), Joel Comissiong (Dawn), Keith Comissiong, Ricardo Comissiong, Richard Comissiong (Joyce), Robert Comissiong, Emile Cruse, Alphonse Marvin Domingo, Jr. (Lia), Michael John Domingo (Terri), Carmelo English, William Fernandez, Bernard Fontanes, Thomas Fontanes, Jr., Antonikuakasu Furugen (Kazumi), Selwyn Joseph, Jr., Jeffrey Kelly, Alphonso Lythcott (Destine), Andre Lythcott, Craig Quaterman, Sean Quarteman, Albert Richards (Felicita), Enrique Richards (Kathleen). Nieces: Brenda Bosculte (James), Janice Cannon, Cattrysse Comissiong, Alma Cruse, Lydia Nicole Comissiong Fernandez, Elba Fontanes, Maxine Fuentes, Linda Michelle Gonzales, Tess Haney, Sheri Marie Joseph - Islam, Lelia Bernice Lythcott, Rosemarie Simone Matthews, Trina Maria Mills, Sally Morton, Kathleen Richards, Clarice Bell Theodore, Monique Theresa Trinkleback. Several Great Nieces, and Nephews, Great-Great Nieces and Nephews, and Great-Great-Great Nieces and Nephews. Multiple Cousins, from the Phipps, Petersen, Comissiong, and Richards families. Adopted Daughter: Ellie Wronski. Adopted Granddaughters: Dmmasky Stazer and Erica Powierski. God Children: Alphonso Lythcott and Lucia Phipps

Tributes

Gilbert Keith Comissiong

October 2, 1934 - October 18, 2025