Dervin Harvel Gillett

Dervin Harvel Gillett aka “Champion” or “Champy” was born on 2nd January 1993 to Violet Tillett-Grinage, Mother, and Nervin Gillett, Father. Champion, his nickname given since a baby certainly displayed championship qualities as he was loved by all whom he encountered. This was especially for his Grandfather Leonard Gillett. Champion was his eyeball as he would say. Since he was a baby, he was a very active chubby boy.

Dervin attended Queen Square Primary School from 1998 to 2006. From there he attended Anglican Cathedral College from 2006 to 2010 where he majored in Business. At ACC he worked very hard to make the basketball team and yes, he was chosen for the team. He lost a significant amount of weight because he wanted to be a basketball star. He also played on the Truckers Posse basketball team. This was Dervin’s character; he will work hard for what he wants. He was indeed living the champion life. His teachers at ACC remembered him a very jovial, sometimes too jovial and too playful, but they realized that he is also hard working and very dependable.

Dervin continued his studies at Wesley Junior College in Paralegal Studies influenced by his first job but that was not his what he wanted. He started out working for the Belize Supreme Court system gaining knowledge about the court system and service. He loved the job but there was a desire in him, a God given talent he soon realized. His business prowess grew very slowly but surely. He moved on to the Angelus Press where he acquired a vast number of business-like skills doing all that was asked of him. Dervin had a vision which took him to the US. He had a plan but first he needed to establish himself, so he started working at Admiral Longue for American Airlines at LAX. There was where he picked up his most invaluable skill, customer service. Dervin soon realized that with all the knowledge and skills he had acquired through his career, coupled with the knowledge and skills he gained from his Dad and others in vehicle care, sales, and mechanics, he must execute his plan to live up to his Champion nickname and opened his own business Gillett’s Fast Fix in Houston Texas.

Through his business, he served hundreds of clients with vehicle, parts, and servicing. He had regular trips to Belize and in every trip, he had to stop in and visit his Fire squad boys to live up to an additional name for him, “The Life of The Party”. As part of the Lively, Campion personality, before he moved to the US, Dervin would spend his free time with his cousins, and the Fire Squad crew. Outsiders who knew them would be jealous because they were one big team of cousins who did everything together, especially travelling to the cayes, and Placencia. He had competition for the life of the party though with Gully. Guys, you are now together, and we are sure you are both be the “Life of the Party’ in Heaven.

Talk about puppy love that grew to be full blown love. Guess where he first met his wife Raquel Rhaburn-Gillett? At Queen Square in 2004, yes you heard it from primary school she saw her Champion and he saw his Queen. Time and life separated them and what was thought to be just a boy likes girl thingy, was rekindled in in 2013 in Long Beach California. She once again was attracted to his vibrant, lively champion personality and of course he was the lucky one to find such a beautiful adorable and supportive partner. They tied the knot on December 11th 2015. Their union created a beautiful baby girl on May 21st 2019, Miracle Marie Dior Gillett, or “Lee Violet” as called by some family members from the moment she was born because she had the looks of her Grandmother Violet; and, even more when she started walking because her hair looked just like her Grandmother’s, no not gray, the wavy texture. Miracle was his “Sparkplug”. Everything he did since his marriage and especially since Miracle’s birth was for his family. His “sparkplug” reminded him daily, that he needed to continue to be a Champion for her as she added more spark and energy to his life.

Dervin had a big heart for his family and friends. As a matter of fact, would you believe it, he had a third nick name, “Big Love” because he showed nothing but LOVE to those around him. Up to the time of his untimely passing, Dervin was providing service with a smile. On his most recent trip to Belize during 9th March weekend, his family and friends can attest that he had that usual smile, that vibrant personality, that Champion characteristic that only Dervin knew how to show. This is how he would want us to remember him. In Pace Requiescat Dervin. You will forever remain in our hearts. Life without you will never be the same again.