Samuel Ebenezer Cowie

This is indeed a sad day for all of us, yet there is hope that we will meet again. So even as we mourn the passing of this wonderful person, let us celebrate his life. Samuel Ebenezer Cowie, as he was affectionately known to some of us as Sam, Dad, Grand-dad, Uncle Sam and Samuel.

He meant something to every one.

Samuel Cowie was the third of seven children and the first boy, born to the late Herman and Rebecca Cowie on the Caribbean island of Tobago. His siblings were: Princess, Selena, Arthur and David now deceased, while Rosalind resides in New York, Margaret and Elaine reside in Tobago.

He was an ambitious and adventurous individual.

His siblings remember him for always playing the big brother role to protect them from being hurt by anyone. While at school, he participated and won the prize for the best turkeys at the School’s annual plant and animal exhibition. This provided Sam with the opportunity to enter the Championship on the sister island of Trinidad. He never returned to Tobago after the competition, but sent the turkeys back home.

After a few years in Trinidad, he migrated to Aruba as was customary for young men in Trinidad. While there, he learnt tailoring and took part in athletics and cycling activities and became one of their top cyclists.

In 1940, the opportunity came for him to migrate to the United States where he started his painting career and later joined the crew of the SS Argentina.

It is impossible to speak of Samuel’s life without mentioning his love of the ocean. He was a Merchant Marine Seaman and spent most of his time at sea until his retirement. He was blessed to have traveled all over the world and frequent several ports, Brazil, Chile, Africa, Panama, and Europe just to name a few, and was even made an honorary Viking for having traveled through Norway along the Viking route.

Once in the United States, Samuel settled in Brooklyn, NY where he was introduced by a mutual friend to Ms. Pearla Hodgson, in July of 1970 and fell in love, the two dated for several years and were later married.

He had a love for family and looked forward to returning to Tobago for regular visits especially during the Carnival and Easter Seasons. He enjoyed Carnival (only as a spectator). He had a love for sports, and would spend lots of time in front of the television looking at his ball games. On his visits to Tobago, he found time for his friends, as the young and old came by to visit him to have a drink and engage in debates. He was very friendly individual, and many persons looked forward to his visits.

He had an outstanding personality and a good sense of humor, especially when Dad referred to the floor as “the ting on the deck (boat).” Uncle Sam knew when to be serious and when to joke around. His hearty laughter could be heard from a distance. Whenever he was in agreement with you in any circumstance, his response was “that’s the size of it”. However, he has been proven to be impatient, because he never liked to wait for anything or anyone. I can still hear him say” let’s go, what are you waiting for?”

He was always well dressed, never without a cap or hat, and well color-coordinated. His friends referred to him as “Black Onassis” after the rich and famous family of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. He loved God and went to church regularly, with not a care in the world, whether he was late or not. He would say, “I ain’t the preacher”.

Samuel, a fighter to the end, overcame his battle with prostate cancer, but his passing was due to multiple mini strokes.

Left to mourn his loss is his wife - Pearla Cowie, daughter Melissa Jackson & Son in-law Shawn Jackson, grandchildren - Danielle, Grey, Julian and Marius Jackson. Siblings- Rosalind Gouevia USA, Margaret John, and Elaine Guy Trinidad & Tobago. In-laws- sister and brother in laws Parmella Cowie and Paul Gouevia. Nieces - Joycelyn, Annette, Yvonne, Levis, Lyn June, Kathleen, Ann Marie, Linda, and Nola; Nephews - Anthony, Junior, Alston, Errol, Peter, Herman, David, Mark, Andrew and Richard. Cousins - Colin Cowie, Dunstan & Ian Darlington and other family members of the Alfred’s and Cowie’s and many friends too numerous to mention.

Preceding him in death are the following siblings – Arthur, David, Princess and Selena Cowie.

We thank God for the Special Moments we spent with him I know that his memories will continue to live within our hearts and minds.

Sam, Dad, Grand-dad, Uncle Sam, Samuel…“WE LOVE YOU! WE WILL MISS YOU!”

May his soul and the souls of our dearly departed rest in Peace - Perpetual.