Joseph Collingston George Sr.

Some men pass through life quietly, Joseph Collingston George, Sr. was not one of them. Affectionately known as “Mannix” and “Collingston” by relatives and friends that he grew up with in the village where he lived in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Collingston was a people person and made friends wherever he went. Collingston’s life is a story of hard work, ambition, and resilience. He had an unshakable belief that a man with a vision could always find a way forward.

The sixth child born to the late Glancena and Calvin George, Sr. in Fat Hog’s Bay, Tortola, Collingston grew up with his siblings Ellenor, Clifton, Clinton, Erlin, Carlton (deceased), Elaine (deceased), Elcena, and Calvin, Jr. After the passing of his mother when he was nine years old, Collingston formed a strong bond with his father and his maternal grandfather.

He frequently shared tales of his childhood in the village, where he would rise early each morning to care for the family’s cattle. Collingston’s duties included walking them to the pasture in Josiah’s Bay before heading off to school. The pasture was several miles from their home, and he was also tasked with bringing the cattle back every afternoon after school. Young Collingston took delight in feeding and nurturing the family’s goats, sheep, and fowl. Additionally, he always had his own dogs, even as a child, and he occasionally bred them.

Collingston’s deep passion for animals transcended into adulthood, and he surrounded himself with them on his farm in Josiah’s Bay, Tortola. There, he raised and bred a variety of animals, including dogs, exotic birds and parrots, peacocks, guinea fowl, emus, geese, ducks, chickens, iguanas, goats, sheep, cows, horses, and his beloved pet monkey, Matsu. He delighted in sharing his love for animals with the community, happily welcoming primary schools that frequently visited the farm. He truly enjoyed hosting class trips, allowing students to learn about the animals and even interact with them. Collingston was a regular participant in the Annual Agriculture Fair held in Paraquita Bay, Tortola. Over the years, he proudly earned numerous awards for his animal exhibits.

He expressed his passion for horses by supporting the BVI Horse Racing Association, where he entered several of his thoroughbred racehorses in the Sea Cow’s Bay Races. Among his esteemed horses were the celebrated Exodus and Spectacular, two cherished thoroughbreds that won the hearts of the BVI community.

Renowned in the Virgin Islands for providing premium dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Terriers, Collingston consistently prioritized the well-being of his dogs. He worked diligently and fed them the finest food available, ensuring that his dogs were always maintained to the highest standards.

While many knew him for the man he became, those qualities could already be seen in his teenage years. As Collingston entered his teenage years, his father entrusted him with the important task of maintaining the family’s generator, which was essential for supplying electricity to their home. Each evening, he was responsible for ensuring that the generator was properly filled with oil and replenished as necessary.

One afternoon, however, Collingston, like any typical teenager, forgot to check the generator. He got a good ‘cut ass’ when his father discovered that the generator was low on oil and that oil had splattered everywhere. In response, Collingston decided to run away to stay with his Tontie Claire and cousins in St. Thomas, USVI. When his father learned where he was, he called on Collingston's older sister, Ellenor, to bring him back home. However, Collingston refused to return, and Tontie Claire allowed him to stay for as long as he wished. After spending several weeks at Tontie Claire’s house, Collingston eventually made his way back to his father's home in Tortola.

Collingston's father was exceptionally skilled in various trades, and Collingston often accompanied him to work, where he learned the art of stonework, masonry, and carpentry. Just like his dad, Collingston became quite handy. He enjoyed a rich and vibrant childhood; when he wasn't assisting his father or grandfather, or swimming in the bay, playing marbles and ball, or making kites with friends, he could be found experimenting with broken radios, flashlights, and other discarded electrical items. This fascination sparked his talent for repairing virtually any machine that came his way.

As a teenager, he taught himself how to repair juke boxes and pinball machines at his father’s local pool hall in Fat Hog’s Bay, Tortola. He eagerly assisted his dad whenever assistance was needed. It was in this environment that Collingston mastered the art of repairing coin-operated pool tables and learned to replace the felt covering on them. His hands were truly blessed. Before reaching the age of 20, Collingston had already established himself as a bright, intelligent, and savvy young entrepreneur. He became highly sought after for his skills in repairing juke boxes, pinball machines, and pool tables across the BVI, Puerto Rico, and Saint Croix in the USVI.

Collingston would eventually journey to New York City, where he acquired skills in repairing duplicating machines. Prior to leaving Tortola, he made a vow to his father to stay in the United States for only ten years and promised to return home after that period. True to his word, Collingston returned home and assisted his father in renovating San Pedro, the well-known nightclub in Fat Hog’s Bay that his father had established years before Collington's departure. Later, his father entrusted him with managing the business. Throughout this period, Collingston was diligently working on the establishment of George Business Machines Company Limited, which became the first locally owned business that provided sales and servicing of photocopiers, postage machines, typewriters, cash registers, office furniture, office supplies, and stationery items, while also offering photocopying services to the community. The later establishment of George Business Machines Printing further demonstrated Collingston’s entrepreneurial vision and strengthened his reputation for innovation, hard work, and business excellence.

Collingston contributed to the BVI community by training and equipping young people with the skills needed for repairing and servicing photocopiers. In addition, he made certain that George Business Machines upheld strong corporate citizenship values and practices. The company sponsored various community events and helped whenever possible.

Collingston had several hobbies, but his greatest passion was amateur radio, which allowed him to impact the lives of many people globally. As an enthusiastic ham radio operator in the British Virgin Islands, he collaborated closely with the BVI Department of Disaster Management, where he actively participated in disaster simulation exercises. During hurricanes, when communication was cut off, Collingston relayed crucial information to and from the territory and neighboring Caribbean islands.

He played a key role in revitalizing the BVI Amateur Radio League (BVIARL) and held the position of President for more than four years. During his tenure, he engaged in local school presentations, took part in community service projects, and represented the BVIARL at international events.

Collingston later embraced beekeeping and farming, cultivating plantains, bananas, pineapples, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. His aim was to contribute to food sustainability and preservation in the British Virgin Islands. Collingston took great joy in being a blessing to others, often hand-picking boxes filled with mangoes, sugar apples, and passion fruits to share. He firmly believed that the more he gave, the more God's blessings would abound in every facet of his life.

Collingston was a remarkable husband, father, and family man, known for his deep love and attentiveness to his loved ones, always making sure they were well cared for. He shared a joyful marriage with his wife and soulmate, Gilda, for 35 wonderful years. Collingston was blessed with three beautiful daughters: Lizette Odile George, Dr. Cindy Monique George, and Tiffany Nicole George, as well as sons Joseph Collingston George, Jr. and adopted son, Jermaine Desmond.

Most importantly, Collingston was a man who genuinely loved the Lord. He maintained a deeply personal relationship with God and consistently prioritized Him in his life. As the spiritual leader of his household, he prayed daily for his family, friends, the government, and the people of the British Virgin Islands. Collingston held on to his faith until the very end of his earthly journey. He will be greatly missed; however, we take comfort in knowing that he is now resting securely in God's presence for eternity.

May God's grace and Collingston's legacy continue to thrive in the hearts of all those he impacted.