Well Known Bermudian “Alabama” Laid To Rest
A funeral and wake were held for Album “Alabama” Anderson this past weekend, celebrating the life of a man well known around the island.
According to his obituary [PDF], “Alabama became well known in the sailing world from greeting the sailboats as they arrived, and letting their lines go when they left. The sailors would often return asking, “Is Alabama still around? He looked after me the last time I was here.”
“Even the tourists would come back asking, “Where is Alabama? I don’t hear him whistling.” That famous whistle would echo around the town; you would hear it long before you saw him.
“Alabama’s police record was famous. There were a few times he went to jail more than 10 times in one year. Mostly being charged with being a public nuisance, drinking in public, or cursing police officers, he never went to jail for anything that would make him a hard criminal,” his Obituary said.
“The judge would sentence him to 30 days or $300 fine. Alabama would reply, “You want me to pay $300 when I can go Casemates and cool out for a few days, work in the kitchen, and earn enough money for a bottle when I come out?” Or tell the judge, “No police officer should talk to Bama like that, so I hit him.”
“Often when major events happened in town, the police would put him in a cell with a few beers and food and let him out when the event was over – believing this was easier than the paper work to arrest him and knowing he would be back in a week doing the same thing.”
Alabama at the St. George’s Christmas Santa Parade in 2012
The obituary continues, “In his last days, his knees gave out on him, but not his willpower. He was given residence at the Sylvia Richardson Home, where he lived until his passing.
“Even all of the beautiful ladies at Sylvia Richardson fell in love with him. He was well taken care of and the family would like to thank the staff from the bottom of our hearts.
“He is survived by his mother, Ismay Steede, his three brothers, Leslie, Clifton, and Phillip, his three sisters, Quillard, Dorothy, and Francine, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and even many great-great-nieces and nephews – far too many to mention.”
Some of the island’s politicians, especially those from the East End. had words to impart regarding Alabama’s passing.
MP Lovitta Foggo on the passing of Alabama
Ms. Foggo said, “I think all of St. George’s was saddened to hear about Alabama having passed away just a few short days ago. He is certainly a colorful figure and anyone who is St. Georgian knew who Alabama was. Indeed, I can say that anybody who is Bermudian knew of Alabama .
“And let me just say this: I think many people have forgotten over the years the contribution that Alabama made when it came to our local marathon. During his younger years, and for quite some time, he participated in that race, often running barefoot and very often finishing extremely well.”
Premier Craig Cannonier on the passing of Alabama
Premier Craig Cannonier said, “Alabama, Mr. Anderson – but I guess as a kid coming along, I never knew his last name, actually. Having grown up in St. George’s, coming our of St. David’s, and going to school in St. George’s, Alabama was certainly a fixture of everyday events.
“I can recall back when we would have sports days, he would show up at sports days, or even other times, and challenge us to races and the likes,” added the Premier.
“I’d like to say the family, the Anderson family, that we give our deepest condolences to the loss.”
Senator Renee Ming on the passing of Alabama
Senator Renee Ming — Alabama’s great niece — said, “He was described in the House today as being colourful and I thought that, myself personally, that is a good way to describe him because he was just that. He was colourful and for all intents and purposes, he was happy go lucky and he was loved by all.
“But he is definitely going to be missed. We talked about it as a family, some of the the things that we know, and one of them is his distinct whistle that we missed around the town. And a few of my constituents have actually referred to the whistle, so not only do us as a family appreciate it, but other fellow St. Georgians appreciate that whistle as well.
“He knows that he was loved and that we have a huge family and all of us are – although we’re mourning right now – we do have some good memories. Each and every one of us has an Alabama story, and we were sharing them over the last few evenings so, although it’s a sad moment, there is some humour that we can find in it.
“The fact that we have these memories; we can hold onto them forever.”
Jonny Barnes don’t have anything on him…..maybe Bama should get a statue….
Nope, Johnny has style, class, is non threatening & is sober. Completely different.
why are you threatened. Are you scared of people.
40 acres no mule,
Yes, people like Triangle Drifter are scared of people who do not look like them. You see, they have created a monster and their fear is that that monster is going to some day turn on them and devour them. Rest assured all Triangle Drifters will reap what they have sown. That’s the law of nature. It reminds me of the saying: “If you fail to parent your children well one day you will answer to their behavior”. The Triangle Drifters have never treated us well and they know it only too well. Hence the reason why the dark spirit of the bogeyman governs their minds which are always in conflict with themselves.
Maybe bc he too old to harass anymore… sorry (argh! knowledge on things cause irritation)
Don’t take much to stand up and wave, if that’s style and class then were in trouble, Alabama just did in public what most of us do in private, but that’s a typical response from some people in Bermuda, smile, wave and be nice so I can feel safe, like sober people cant harm you.
You’re a fool
And he harassed nobody
You obviously never saw him in action pan handling off tourists, back in the day when we actually had tourists & St Georges was a very busy place, especially on Wednesdays when they fired the noon day canon & had the ducking.
Alabama would be right there, hand out, working the crowd for all he could get. Not a pretty sight.
Triangle Drifter,
We are all a product of our environment. Every single thing that touches our lives has an effect on us–shapes and sculpts us into who we are.
I’ve been told by a neighbour of Johnnie Barnes that he isn’t neighborly at all–unsociable (in the old Black Bermudian vernacular–dis-ah-gribble). His public mask is quite different to that of his private mask–the one Mr. & Mrs. Bermuda do not SEE. It reminds me of a saying which the Physical Abuse Centre of yesteryear touted when referencing people who exhibited unsavoury behavior before those whom they were closely associated and more pleasing behavior towards strangers: “Street angels and house devils”.
I hope you get my point.
In today’s era, you mudy accept people for whom they are n not for what the “triangle drifter” wants them to be.
Whatever way Alabama presented himself, you have no right whatsoever to demean him after his demise. But it would take someone like you to make mockery of the dead. Not everything Bama done was distorted n it is a shame that your triangle is still drifting with malicious deceit to our dearly departed family n friends “Alabama”.
Everyone has a foul up bleep or blunder but yet forgiveness covers all… Take a look at the man in the mirror. The nerve of you. What ya saying…total disrespect to the family. Ur triangle has drifted further out of whack with disrespect for the ‘Bama’. Rest in peace my brother, my friend as the “Black Seal” is sealed.
Alabama was an entertainer of sorts,if he could get you laughing …he would keep you laughing…when you stopped he stopped….then a micievous expression would cross his face,just a perceivable twinkle in his eye, he do or say something else and the laughter stated alll over again.More than that ,he would watch your boat for you ,(fishing boats),or help your mama with carrying groceries (carrying them),I myself have seen him interject and solve disputes…always helpful to tourists…was that cologne bay rum?…or black rum?
Sure miss to our community!
Blessings to you Alabama! You will definitely/most certainly be a miss in St George
Would’ve been a radical soldier if de fire water would’ve not got him.
Will be a miss
RIP
Bama will be missed..he was indeed a colourful character.
Alabama was a complete nuisance in St George’s for as long as I can remember (I would have first met him in 1990). The worst? No… A saint? Absolutely not…
He sure cashed in when the coins came for the Gombeys! Never missed a performance in St.G square.
Class my backside.”… Johnny used to make them Portuguese smoke back when he was swift . Rest in peace Bama Cupmatch in St.Geo will never be the same “.
I must be the only Bermudian who doesn’t know him…
mixitup,
Are you sure you are a Bermudian?
Colorful cannot begin to describe this character lol. Nobody like the great Bama. He will be a miss in St. George. RIP Bama… To my extended Anderson family, May you always cherish the memories. Whether they were good or bad they were always colorful.
Remember as a child being afraid of him. He broke into a neighbors home. Although everyone is praising him he gave me nightmares.
C,
You can rest easy now. Who knows, Bama may be the one to pay you a visit at night to quell your nightmares when someone else takes his place. There’s always someone else waiting in the wing. Next!
Ur a man now… Grow up n stop the nonsense… If ur still having nightmares, then something definitely wrong with you… Another attacker of our dearly departed… Get over it, because the next one may not be as Bama was… Imagine that… Hope ur nightmares is gone… PA.