Cyril "Tony" Anthony Best

Those left to celebrate and honor his life include his wife, Linda Richards-Best, son Bertrand Best; sisters Heather Alleyne , Angela Wattley,(Houston) and Claudette Callender (New York). Brothers Cescil , Cameron , Michael, and Kevin Best. All in Houston TX. Tony also enjoyed the privilege of having numerous nieces and nephews whom he took care of and nurtured in many ways. He appointed himself their de facto guardian, father, and protector. He saw this as his life’s purpose.

His parents Cyril and Doris welcomed him into this world on March 28, 1957, on the island of Barbados where he gained his early education at Foundation Boys School and was actively involved in football and cricket. As a teenager, he was active in the Pilgrim Holiness Church.

At the age of 21, he migrated to the USA with other family members and took up residence in Houston, Texas. Almost immediately upon coming to the United States, Tony got involved in cricket in Houston both as a player and an Administrator of the Houston Cricket League which was formed in 1975. Among the clubs Tony played for were – Unique Cricket Club, Tridents, Houston West Indies Sports (HWISC), Caribbean United Cricket Club (CUCC) which he formed and finally West Indies Sports Organization of Houston (WISOH). In addition to playing the game, Tony became the President of Houston Cricket League, the governing body of cricket in Houston, for four years. Subsequent to being President, he continued to serve on the HCL EC in various capacities. His commitment to the development and growth of cricket in Houston is legendary. In particular, he worked tirelessly to ensure that young people knew, participated and loved the game that their immigrant parents grew up with. He was a true pioneer of cricket development in Houston and surrounding areas.

He served a coach and assistant coach for many of his son Bertrand’s Soccer teams at the YMCA.

He was also a founding member of the Barbados Association of Texas (BAT) and worked tirelessly to build the organization over the years.

Tony has worked as a Mechanical Engineer at various institutions in Houston at Brown and Root. Compaq Smith Seckman and Reid, and most recently with Hunter Buildings LLC.

A service of thanksgiving will be held on Saturday April 16, at 11:00 am at Mission Bend United Methodist Church-3710 Hwy. 6 South, Houston TX 77082. A repast will be held immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Tony’s name to the American Kidney Foundation