- Date Of Birth: December 31, 1930
- Date Of Death: February 27, 2019
- State: New York
Born in Belmont, Port of Spain on December 31, 1930 Departed on February 27, 2019 and resided in White Plains, NY.
Vernon ” Von” Baptiste was born on December 31, 1930 in Belmont, Port of Spain in Trinidad. He was the second born to Nellie Clarke and Arnauld Baptiste. He began to work at a young age, along with his older brother, Lawrence , to support the family and 5 siblings. This was the beginning of his unselfish and sacrificing nature for his family and friends. He met and married Mona Wilson in Port of Spain and together they began their journey as a couple for the next 48 years until Mona’s passing in 2001. He worked for the Port of Spain Fire Department where he was known to be Batch 515 and drove the engine.
This brotherhood was the beginning of long forged friendships that lasted until the end of his days. He and Mona emigrated to the United States in the 1960’s where he took on the job of an off-set printer at Rand McNally in Ossining, NY until his retirement. In 1992, they moved back to Trinidad to reconnect with their roots, but he returned to New York after Mona’s death.
He and Mona had three children, Anthony, who died shortly after birth, Steve and Annette.
He is survived by his son Steve(Sheryl), daughter Annette, two grandsons ,Keith(Vanessa)and Steven; three granddaughters, Michelle(Tyrone), Danielle(Lerone)and Andrea and 7 great grandchildren. Also survived by his younger brother, “Tabby” and sister, Mavis and many favorite nieces and nephews who he treated as his own children. He was predeceased by his brothers Lawrence, Cyril and sister Sheila.
