Caribbean community bids farewell to ‘The Michael Jackson of Grenada’

Members of the Caribbean community in Brooklyn braved the bitterly cold weather on Friday evening to pay their last respects to Grenadian-born singer Allen Wayne Noel, renowned as “The Michael Jackson of Grenada,” during his funeral service at Union United Methodist Church on New York Avenue in Brooklyn. Noel died on Jan. 27. He was 67.

Several Caribbean musical artistes paid homage to Noel in songs and musical instruments before and during the service.

They included former perennial Grenada Calypso Monarch Ajamu, McDonald Fest Gospel Winner Gerard Placide, saxophonist Joe Alert, keyboardist Venor Yark, and Randal Robinson.

In eulogizing Noel, Ken Purcell — who was part of the singing group The Bee’s, which Noel’s brother, Derek Ventour, founded — said Noel “touched countless lives through his music, his kindness, and his generosity.

“He had a heart of gold, always willing to lend a helping hand or listening ear,” said Purcell, Noel’s close friend and former co-worker, stating that Noel’s musical journey began at a tender age, “sparked by the encouragement of Ms. Bernadette Fraser.

“His father, the late John Noel, was approached by Ms. Fraser to have Wayne perform at Eric Gairy’s GULP Meet the People tour at the Beaulieu R.C. (Roman Catholic) School grounds,” he added, referring to Grenada’s first Prime Minister Sir Eric Matthew Gairy and his Grenada United Labor Party.

“Dressed in his scout uniform, Wayne captivated the audience with his rendition of Tony Orlando and Dawn’s ‘Knock Three Times,'” Purcell continued. “This moment marked the beginning of a remarkable musical career.”

He said Ventour – a prominent, Grenadian-born, Caribbean entertainment promoter in Brooklyn – eventually formed The Bees with Noel, Stokely Phillips, Benedict Fraser, Ken Purcell, Kester Hagley, and Michael Mitchell.

Purcell said the group “mesmerized” audiences across Grenada.
“Dubbed the ‘Jackson Five of Grenada,’ they performed at numerous venues, including the Carnival Queen Show, Regal Cinema, Lion’s Den, and the Pedmontemps Old School,” he said.

Purcell said renowned bands like the Weevils, Ingredients, and Blue Bird Combo often backed the group.

“With his boundless talent and charisma, Wayne earned the nickname ‘The Michael Jackson of Grenada,'” Purcell said. “His musical legacy continues to inspire and uplift all who were fortunate enough to experience his gift, even up to his passing.”

He said one of his favorite memories of Noel was “his love for singing.”

“He’d often break into song; his rich voice will fill any room with joy and laughter,” he said. “His music brought people together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“Renowned singer and former member of the iconic Bees singing group of Grenada, Wayne Noel, was a gifted vocalist and performer who captivated audiences with his soulful voice and charismatic stage personality,” Purcell added. “Wayne may be gone, but his legacy lives on through us.

“His love, kindness, and generosity inspired us to be better versions of ourselves,” he continued.

Purcell said Noel, the second child of John and Louisa Noel, attended the elementary Constantine and Wesley Hall Methodist schools and St. John’s Christian Secondary School.

After graduation from secondary school, Purcell said Noel’s first employment was at Her Majesty’s Prison, then at the Grenada Port Authority.

After he migrated to New York in 1986, Purcell said he introduced Noel to the brokerage firm of Pershing, now BNY Mellon, where he worked for 35 years before taking early retirement in 2021.

“He knew his job very well; he trained most of the people who came to his department,” he said. “Wayne was very much liked as a dear friend and co-worker. He was very dependable and worked hard to get things done in the office.

“He would come in early on his own to make sure he was caught up with servicing the clients,” Purcell added. “He also sang some of his favorite songs when he saw you in the pantry or the hallway – a true gentleman that always had positive things to say about others.”

Former Grenada New York Tourism Director Christine Noel said Noel was her mom’s “favorite nephew.”
“He always carried a smile on his face,” she told mourners. “He was really a joyful person. Music was his passion.”

The Rev. Wesley Daniel, the Grenadian-born former pastor of Union United Methodist Church, brought the Prayer of Comfort; renowned Grenadian poet Wendel DeRiggs read the Old Testament Lesson from Job 14; and Ansha St. Bernard read the Epistle from 1 Thessalonians 4.

The church’s Guyanese-born pastor, the Rev. Jacqueline Carter, presided over the entire service.
In his sermon, Bishop Chris A. Butler, a Grenadian-born associate pastor at Ebenezer Union Ministry Center on Powell Street in Brooklyn, said: “I do hope the memory of Wayne will be a blessing to us.

“There is hope,” he added. “When we face the challenge of death, we must be reminded that death brings hope.”
Purcell said Noel “is in heaven now, with a band of angels, as the lead singer.”
He said Noel’s love for his family was “unparalleled.”

“He adored his daughters, Roxanne and Tamara, and was so proud of the women they’ve become,” Purcell added. “His (four) grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he cherished every moment spent with them.”

Noel is also survived by his aunt, Eastlyn Welch; sisters, Janice and Jillian; brothers, Derek and Stokely; niece, Shenice; and several relatives and friends.
His body was interred the next day at Canarsie Cemetery in Brooklyn.