Horace Gerald Alphanso Ducram

Born on December 14, 1962, on Feather Bed Lane in Spanish Town, Jamaica, to Marine and the late Hilberto Ducram, Horace was their second child. Right from the start, it was clear he was meant to carve his own unique path. He grew from his days at Crescent All Age School into a confident, ambitious young man at the prestigious Kingston College Boys’ School. Those who knew him then remember his sharp mind, his undeniable charm, and that unmistakable spark — the one that told you he was never afraid to try, to risk, or to dream big. It’s no surprise he kept his core classmates close, always ready to share a laugh and a story about the good old days.

After high school, he worked briefly for the Jamaican government. In 1986, Horace carried his dreams across the ocean to Brooklyn, New York. Like so many brave immigrants, he started wherever opportunity opened a door. Whether he was making deliveries with his uncle or putting in long hours at the Brooklyn Bottling Company, he never saw humble beginnings as something to hide; to Horace, they were simply steppingstones to something greater.

Horace took what he proudly called his “leaps and bounds” when he moved to Florida in 1994. He didn't just find a new career; he reinvented himself. He went back to school, taught himself new skills, and opened doors to incredible opportunities. His brilliant, problem-solving mind eventually took him across the globe as an engineer — from China and Japan to Europe — and out onto the ocean on cruise ships. He could walk into the most complex situation and gracefully bring order to it.

To us, Horace was never just his work. He was a creator. He loved to cook, believing deeply that food was how you shared culture, connection, and love. That passion blossomed into Reggae Grill. He brought his family right into the heart of that dream, because Horace never wanted to succeed alone. If he had an idea, he wanted the people he loved to share in its warmth. Later, he brought that same creative spirit to construction, transforming simple houses into warm homes with his own two hands. He found such deep joy in creating beauty, working hard right up until his final days.

Horace lived his life a lot like he played his favorite game of poker — always willing to bet on himself. We may not know how well he played — but we know he played. It was a daring, courageous way to live. It didn't always work out perfectly, but every risk he took was rooted in profound hope and an unshakeable belief in what was possible. He loved so deeply and gave so freely — sometimes to a fault. Even when his own hands were nearly empty, if you called and he could help, he would be there. That was simply who he was.

Of all his many titles, the ones he cherished most were father and grandfather. His children, Leanna and Dylan, were his absolute joy and his greatest legacy. His grandchildren, Xena and Xander, brought a special, radiant light into his world. He believed wholeheartedly in love, in family, and in staying connected.

He leaves behind a family who will carry his spirit forever: his wife, Maricela; his loving mother, Marine; his stepfather, David; his brothers, Glen, Michael (and wife Stephanie), Dane, and Donald; his sister, Asha; his beautiful children and grandchildren; his extended family, and so many dear friends.

Every one of us holds our own special piece of Horace — the brilliant engineer, the passionate entrepreneur, the gifted chef, the worldly traveler, the fearless dreamer. He was beautifully layered. Ambitious. Generous. Loving. Wonderfully human.

He lived his life all the way. He tried, he stumbled, he reinvented himself, he rose again, and he always, always kept moving forward. Today, the silence he leaves behind is heavy, but it is filled with so much gratitude. Gratitude that we got to know him, laugh with him, eat his food, and watch his beautiful dreams unfold.

Today, we don't just mourn Horace. We honor Cat — a Jamaican son who crossed oceans, built a life fueled by courage, and left an indelible mark on all our hearts.

May we always remember his boldness.

May we always remember his generosity.

May we always remember his bright laughter.

May we always remember his beautiful heart.

Rest peacefully, Horace. Your work here is done. Your story lives on in every single one of us, and your memory will forever be a blessing.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Royal Palm Funeral Home