Berkel Family Website

Mr. Clifton Wilfred Berkel was born on the island of St. Eustatius on October 2^nd 1930. He was the ninth child born to the late Mr. Josiah “Joe” Berkel of St. Eustatius and Mrs. Esther Berkel-Wilson of Saba.

From his informative years, Mr. Berkel exhibited characteristics that he nourished and continued throughout his manhood. He was outspoken; clear and precise; loyal and hardworking. Growing up in a big family he was taught by his parents to be self-reliant and compassionate.

His father was a Business Entrepreneur and Agriculturalist.  Through this means he managed to train and instill business qualities in his children to be self-sufficient and hardworking; this ambition he had throughout his life.

In 1947 at the young age of 17 Clifton left the shores of Statia and travelled abroad to pursue a better living.  He went to Curacao where he worked in the Shell Oil Refinery for a number of years. Having arrived in Curaçao in the post-war years when the autonomy of the Netherlands Antilles was taking shape, he developed a great interest for politics.

He enjoyed his involvement in political activities of that Era. In the 1950’s he campaigned vigorously for his fellow Statian Mr. Hugh Lopes who was a candidate on the list of the Democratic Party of Curaçao. This was not without success, because Mr. Lopes was elected to the parliament of the Netherland Antilles. In 1955, he met and married Veronique Oyende Hodge with whom he was married for 11 years.

During the 1960’s he travelled extensively throughout the region with his brother Ishmael taking pictures that were sent via Curaçao to Spain where portraits were made of them. During those travels he made countless friendships, many of which turned out to be for a lifetime. To this day these portraits can be found in many homes. He and his brother are still known for that work.

In 1970 he married the love of his life Olive Angelique Morris, the daughter of the late Sinclair Morris and Carmelita Morris-Illidge. It was with much love that they united themselves together on May 20^th 1970. This couple was blessed with a son, Olton Berkel. The bond that this father and son had was very close, and it was an example for many fathers. This close family exhibited love to each other all the time and in every way possible. When his daughter-in-law Mariam, affectionately known as Maata, entered the family she became highly loved and favored. The birth of his grandchildren, Madani, Shammil and Habiba brought love and comfort to his heart. His family was very dear to him.

His extended family held a special place in his heart and they love him too. Today his mother-in-law, Mrs. Morris and his in-laws are here to celebrate his life and show their lasts respects to their son and brother.

With his siblings he shared a bond that could not be penetrated easily. This goes especially for the bond with his brother Samuel and his little brother Ishmael.  He had lots of respect for his older brothers of whom Pastor Ivan Berkel and St. Clair Berkel are still alive. He also had a keen love and care for all his sisters.

He had a sense of loving pride for all his nieces and nephews and their children. They can tell their little special story.  As they came by to visit and it when was time to part, he would say, “Stay focused.” When someone was traveling, those in his presence would hear and see him wave good bye and use these words, “Go in the name of the Lord”.

Clifton had many passions; He was an avid collector of flags and a strong patriot of his Country Flag and Island Flag. He recognized important events in his family life, island, and other countries by raising of flags. He was a consistent man. He was extremely proud when black men make it in life. The last recognition he received from a native Statian at the ending of last year is a testimony to that.

In 1971, he was elected to the Island Council of St. Eustatius. He was a member of that honorable house in 1975. During that period, he served 3 years as a Commissioner in the Executive Council. However, because of his high morals and the man of principle that he was, he decided to serve out the last year of his term in the opposition benches.

As a politician he served and represented his island with all his might. Rocky Marciano, as he was called in the political circles, was a fearless representative of the people and stood firm for what he believed. He was keen listener, a constant thinker and a clear speaker. His no-nonsense approach demanded the respect of his party affiliates and opponents alike.

His most notable achievements:

1. Because of his efforts, for the first time in modern history Statia’s voice was heard on both the national including international stage and Statia’s needs were made known as well as partially addressed.
2. He established contacts between the United States and Statia on all levels of government from federal to state to local—creating awareness for Statia’s role in the American Revolution and the first salute. This resulted in the bi-centennial celebrations of 1976 on Statia and subsequent spin-off tourism for many years after.
3. He improved health care on the island by appointing a new doctor and a midwife. He also provided opportunities for nurses to be upgraded while ensuring a steady supply of medicine.
4. He contributed significantly to the improvement of housing as Commissioner in charge during the preparation of Phase 1 of Golden Rock Village. This was the first public housing project on Statia.
5. He was a founding member and first President of The St. Eustatius Farmer’s Cooperative.
6. With permission of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, he had a monument of Mr. John Milliard and himself placed on the spot that Crown Prince Willem Alexander had dug potatoes during a visit to the plantation. Her Majesty also gave permission to name the plantation located on the road to Zeelandia:  Plantation Prins van Oranje.  The monument still stands there today.
7. He was Statia’s representative of the board of the Development Bank of The Netherlands Antilles.

If he was here today and had to give his last advice to the politicians, these would be the words of principle that he held close to his heart.  “Speak the people’s business; be sober.” “To do the people’s business, be vigilant and rely on God’s strength.” “To represent the people’s business, have a sound mind; be a good listener and a lifelong learner of world events.” “To be a patriot of your country and island, fly your flags high with pride.”  “To be ahead of the game, set goals and endeavor to accomplish them one by one.”   “Communicate and support each other in the interest of this island.  Remember, this is our Golden Rock.”

His motto was, “Fear God and not man.”  He feared no man.  He lived by the principles and values that were instilled in him.  Looking at Clifton’s legacy, this Bible text represents his passion for whatever he di in life.  The Bible text reads:  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”  Ecclesiastes 9:10. While doing so, as another one of his favorite quotes says, he would “keep the pressure on.”

Just as he did his entire life, after his retirement from active politics, he occupied himself by planting yams, potatoes, peas, sugarcane, cassava, peanuts and much more.  He enjoyed the various local fruit seasons because of almost every one of them he had a tree in his yard.  He was also known for making his local drinks.  He simply loved the ground and raising livestock.  He spent his relaxing hours following the news, talk shows and documentaries while enjoying his grandchildren.

Clifton was a faithful friend.  He and Nathaniel Samuel of St. Maarten, affectionately known as Brother Sam, shared a close bond of brotherhood for almost 60 years.  In the Statia community his close friends were the deceased Mr. Temmer, the Milliard family and the deceased Duncan Leerdam.  He also had a very good friend in Curacao called Mr. Victor Commenencia.  He had a very good relationship with many political stalwarts on the other islands of The Netherlands Antilles.

Mr. Berkel, Clifton, Cliff, Cliffie, Taychie, Rocky Marciano, Uncle Clifton, Love, Doesh, Daddy and Opa as he was called, will certainly be missed.

Jesus was the “center of his joys.”  We will always hold him close to our hearts.  We have the hope to meet him on that great gettin’ up mornin’ when the dead in Christ shall rise.