The Caribbean has lost ‘the greatest Caribbean medical hero of all time’ – Sir Henry

With the passing of Sir Cecil Cyrus, the Caribbean has lost “the greatest Caribbean medical hero of all time”.

Sir Henry Fraser, former head of the School of Clinical Medicine and Research at University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus shared this opinion of Sir Cecil as he eulogized the late surgeon at his funeral service yesterday.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves greeting Sir Cecil’s widow Kathryn, Lady Cyrus, at the funeral at the Kingstown Methodist Church yesterday.

Fraser, who shared a four-decade long professional relationship with Sir Cecil said his late friend’s academic record was littered with “distinction after distinction”, awards, medals and first class honours.

Sir Henry Fraser

He said during Sir Cecil’s 13 years at the Colonial Hospital in Kingstown, now the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, and the 25 years in private practice, he learned “to make do”; a mantra that he said made the late doctor achieve “what looked like miracles”.

Sir Henry recounted Sir Cecil’s motivation to become a medical doctor, when as a child growing up in Layou, he vowed that he would do a “better and fairer job” than the district doctor whose visits “benefited only the few with a shilling to pay”.

Grandchildren Sebastian Cyrus and Olivia Haslam.

A gifted writer, photographer, gardener, orator and teacher are some of the many hats Sir Henry said Sir Cecil wore well.

“Sir Cecil was unique. There will never be another such brilliant, conscientious and dedicated doctor… who in my humble opinion is the greatest Caribbean medical hero of all time,” the professor emeritus said.

Over 800 viewers joined the virtual streaming of the funeral online, while others packed the Kingstown Methodist Church for the final send-off for one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished physicians and surgeons who passed away on March 24 at the age of 94.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in his tribute said St Vincent and the Grenadines has lost a man of “heroic proportions” who has made a “towering contribution” to the island’s medical sector.

“Whatever we do in the name of Cecil Cyrus, whatever we declare him to be, whatever memorial is given to him, nothing will be as worthy as the remembrance in the hearts and minds of ordinary men and women in this country.”

Eldest daughter Helen Cyrus

Consultant Radiologist and President of the SVG Medical Association Dr Rosalind Ambrose marvelled at Sir Cecil’s meticulous photo archives and note keeping from his surgical procedures.
“He was intent on documentation and following it through to the end and ensuring there was a good patient outcome,” she said.

“It is a great pity that this generation would have heard of Dr Cyrus but would not have benefitted from his medical tutelage.”

A “master of all trades” as he was described by fellow surgeon, Dr Hughes Duncan while Sir Errol “Mickey” Walrond called Dr Cyrus “a dedicated servant of the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines” who was known for making use of household items when surgical instruments were not available.

Sir Errol, who is the former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies lauded Sir Cecil for the work at his private practice, noting the great influence he has had in pushing surgeons across the region to improve their standard of care.

The family tributes given by three of his four children and four of his twelve grandchildren were especially touching with some moved to tears. Daughter, Rachel Haslam recounted the love she and her father shared for squash which she says he continued to play until well into his 80s after which he was forced to stop due to a major surgery.

Eldest daughter Helen Cyrus said her father was a strict disciplinarian, especially when it came to his daughters. She also said family time was especially important for him with Fridays being set aside for family night.

“My Dad loved to dance and throw a party. We would have family night on a Friday growing up and he and my Mum would waltz as they endeavored to teach us …”

Supported by his father Mark Cyrus, grandson Sebastian delivered remarks on behalf of his cousin, Jade and himself.

Members of the immediate Cyrus family at the funeral service at the Kingstown Methodist Church.

“Your final words to me were ‘say farewell to your grandad and I replied no just goodbye for now as I was leaving to go back to University … you were a role model and a sense of strength,” Jade wrote of her late grandfather.

Referencing the lyrics of a soundtrack from the motion picture ‘Black Panther’, Sebatian said: “The superhero dies but his legacy lives on through his people … through one way or another he has given us life through birth, birthing or saving in his surgery room.”

Granddaughter Rebeka Prance sang a standing-ovation-worthy rendition of “Falling in Love Again”, while son Mark spoke about his pride in being able to call Sir Cecil ‘dad’ and for giving him the “perfect childhood” and being the perfect role model of a father.

Granddaughter Olivia Haslam said she is “extremely inspired” by her grandfather’s resilience.

Other tributes were given by Ken Isles, Wilbur Jeffers and the New Kingstown Chorale.

Officiating at the funeral service were Reverend Philbert Delany, Superintendent of the Methodist Church and Brother Monty Maule, who preached the sermon.

The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force led the procession to the Kingstown Cemetery.

Sir Cecil’s wife and life partner of 60 years, Kathryn, Lady Cyrus, the children and grandchildren threw flowers in his grave while his body was lowered to the singing of ‘It Is Well With My Soul’.