Family, friends and acquaintances in Anguilla and outside the island, gathered at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Wednesday evening, November 7, for a Memorial Service for the late Anguillian pilot, Levette Dubois Ruan.

Members of the Anguilla Freemasons Association

The 62-year-old pilot, who resided and worked in St. Thomas for many years since leaving Anguilla, died when his private aircraft crashed some three and a half miles off the northwest coast of St. Croix on Sunday evening, October 7. Only some human remains and debris from the aircraft, which apparently came down in bad weather, were found in the water.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carmen Ruan, who is originally from Deep Waters, Anguilla, three children, his mother, Elaine La Beet, who resides at George Hill and other relatives.
The Memorial Service was jointly conducted by Bishop Errol Brooks and Reverend Menes Hodge.

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Webster, Harrigan brothers and others

The programme also comprised tributes by Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Monsell Lloyd on behalf of the Free Masons Association of Anguilla, a written tribute from Captain Cleophas Hodge, an Anguillian Flight Instructor in St. Thomas, a musical tribute by Krystal and Krystie Webster, a written tribute by the late pilot’s mother read by Jackie Hodge, a relative, and the Eulogy read by Leah Richardson, another relative of the deceased.

In the eulogy, Levette was described as a man of a few words. An attract states: “Levette demonstrated a zest for life and a love for adventure. He accepted who he was, but also cared about what he could and should not become. He was an astute, self-taught businessman with a strong will and a quick playful wit that he inherited from his mother and applied to all aspects of his life.

The late Levette Ruan

“Levette was passionate about family and friends. He was loyal. He cared and he shared. His younger Anguillian relatives will fondly recall him sailing to Anguilla many years ago, before the tourism boom, and giving them the thrill of a cruise around the island. To many Anguillians and others, he was the “Good Samaritan of the Air” providing free plane rides home or taking a package to loved ones.”

A similar Memorial Service was held in St. Thomas recently.

The Anguillian again offers its condolences to all the relatives of the late pilot.

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