Thomas Andrew Rey

Thomas Andrew Rey was born on August 24, 1931 in Anguilla to Mary Ethel Rey née Lake and Victor Omardo Rey. After completing his primary school education, he moved to Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, where he refined his carpentry skills, crafting everything from banjos to boats. In the mid-1950s, Thomas moved to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, to join the booming construction industry.

During a visit to Anguilla, he met the love of his life, Evadnie Webster, and they married on December 19, 1957. The couple settled in St. Thomas, where they raised five children. Thomas built their first tiny home in the early 1960s and later designed and constructed the family home on Gold Hill in Frydenhoj, St. Thomas. His talent for construction led him to start his own business, building numerous homes and contributing to community projects like the St. Thomas/St. John SDA School and the Shiloh SDA Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and building carpentry projects in his basement workshop. His strength was legendary, often demonstrated through his powerful handshake and ability to handle 50-pound bags with ease.

A man of deep faith, Thomas led his family in daily worship and was an active church member, serving as a deacon at City SDA Church and deacon and elder at Shiloh SDA church. He was known for his spontaneous hospitality, often inviting visitors home for Sabbath lunch. Thomas was a mentor and father figure to many, always ready to lend a helping hand without seeking recognition. He believed in Christian education, ensuring all his children attended the St. Thomas/St. John Adventist School.

Upon retirement, Thomas and Evadnie moved to Homestead, Florida, where in 2000, he built his dream home with a worship room and cultivated a lush farm filled with tropical fruit trees, flowers and vegetables. He loved giving garden tours and sharing the best of his produce with visitors. Thomas continued his mission of sharing his faith with those he met in Homestead, FL and as an elder at the Mission Station and Homestead SDA Churches. He loved playing dominoes, strumming his guitar, and watching Miami Marlins baseball.

On October 2, 2024, Thomas passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 93. Thomas’s legacy of love, faith, and hard work lives on in his wife, children, grandchildren, and all who knew him. His strong handshake and warm heart will be remembered by many. We look forward to being reunited with him at Christ’s return.

On Monday, October 28, 2024, a Celebration of Life service will be held at Miami Temple SDA Church in Miami, Florida with viewing at 9 a.m. and service at 10 a.m.

He is survived by his wife, Evadnie Rey; children, Dr. Judith Rey McCalla (Lenward), Janice, Sherwin (Jacqueline), Jasmine and Jeanelle Rey; grandchildren: Haldane F. Davies, III, Esq., Roselyn Rey-Berkel (Maurice), Dr. Derek McCalla (Jenée), Sheldon, Shoy and Shernelle Rey, Jasia, Jaiden, and Jaisen Shillingford, Jaida, Jania, and Jhana Duncan, and Lucas Rey. Great Grandchildren: Skyler and Synia Rey, Shála and Shanelle McCalla; sister: Muriel Ambrozine Rogers; foster daughter, Arlene Montecello; nieces: Iris Donovan, Roxanna Walters, Eulalie and Evette Sendar, Odalie Lake, Rosemary Peterson, Renneth Richardson, Rhyllis Rey-Bryan, Katharina and Zilma Godiva Rey, Rosette Wyche, Yvonne Rogers, Gracelyn Yvette Grant, Lynthia Rey-Phillip, Rosemary “Lena” Rey, Dr. Judith Arndell, and Ardett Rogers; nephews: Griffith Phillip, George Thompson, Joseph “Joey” Peterson, Thomas “Tommy” Rey, Louis Sendar, Leroy Rey, Felix “Stennette” Rey (Icilma), Millener Rogers (Angel). Uriel Ambroze, Joseph, Berzan, Ashley, Millard, and George Devon Rogers; sisters-in-law: Averil Smith (Raymond), Regina Webster (Samuel), Jean Webster, Lorna Howes, and Vionie Rey; brothers-in-law: Dudley and Crispin Webster, Ellis Harrigan, Thomas Webster (Margaret), Dwight Webster (Faye), and Curtis Webster (Karen); close Friends: Joseph Archer, Jewius & Sheria Cullar, Cosmos & Joan James, Roy & Merilyn Jackson, Dennis Kerrie, George Lawrence, Jeffrey Shillingford, Hans Budan, Patrick Grandison, Ishmael Berkel, Dr. Kester & Lauldi Nedd, Maggie James, Samuel Mason, Joseph & Zulma Hodge, Algernon & Maria Webster, Joyce Bedford, Pastor John Josiah, Pastor Carlyle Bayne, Pastor George Williams, Pastor Ammron Williams, Pastor Lynford & Kathleen Williams, and Pastor Silton & Barbara-Gene Browne, along with a host of other relatives and friends, too numerous to mention.