So long, Lindy. Rest in peace.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 at 8:00 pm and is filed under General News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

38 Responses to “So long, Lindy. Rest in peace.”

1. Greg and Dale
   November 5th, 2008 22:12
   1

   Much in the same way that we’d see Jimmy at the Beach Bar every year we visited St. John, Lindy was also a reliable fixture in the Cruz Bay area. Considering his apparent lifestyle as we randomly observed, we thought that something might have happened to him this past visit in that we didn’t see him. We suspected that much of what we heard about him over the years was local lore, but some of it may have been accurate. If it would not be considered insensitive, does anyone know what his real story was?

2. Lynn Blaisdell
   November 5th, 2008 22:26
   2

   When did he pass?

3. Lady C
   November 6th, 2008 04:48
   3

   What? Lindy passed away? …what happens to him? I wonder if he gets a proper burial…? The man needs a monument in Cruz Bay.

4. David
   November 6th, 2008 07:25
   4

   As tormented as he was, Lindy lived life on his own terms. He was only able to do this in caring community. My condolences to his mother Miss Ruth and family. Rest in Peace Lindy

5. canucknyc
   November 6th, 2008 07:40
   5

   Rest in peace, Lindy.

6. Xislandgirl
   November 6th, 2008 07:42
   6

   There is a lot to be said about how Lindy lived his life. While many may not agree with his choices, they were his and I can not fault him for them.
   I send my condolences to his family and wish him a peaceful rest.

7. Joe Jackson
   November 6th, 2008 08:08
   7

   I’ve known Lindy for 25 years or more. When I first met him (pre-Hugo) he was still somewhat cogent and could hold a (fairly) reasonable conversation. About eight years ago after he had gotten out of jail after a 60-day stint, we ran into him in front of Joe’s Diner. He walked up to me and said as clearly as anyone ‘Hi Joe – can yo help me out? I just got out of Golden Rock and today’s my birthday and I just made 50 and sure could use a drink’… I gave him 20 bucks just for the literation!

   I do know that he was a fairly good piano player back in the day – might have even been a progidy in his youth. He once got busted by Father Mike for playing the organ at the old Catholic Church. Wouldn’t have been a big deal if he’d had clothes on… stark naked, middle of the day, drunk as drunk gets and he’s playing the organ naked. Only on St. John, huh?

   The story I recall as relates to his diminished mental capacities is that he used to drink alot of home-brewed Nightshade Tea to get high on back in the 70’s and 80’s and it killed too many braincells. One thing for sure – he had an immune system that should be studied…

8. Jen
   November 6th, 2008 08:24
   8

   Wow Joe! Thanks for the insight. Great memories! I, too, hope he gets proper burial. Rest in peace.

9. Rosi
   November 6th, 2008 08:30
   9

   Thank you Joe for that about Lindy.
   As someone else said, he did life on his terms and bless him for that. Bless the St. John community for letting that be.
   I always love the bumper sticker that I saw on St. John

10. brenda
    November 6th, 2008 08:42
    10

    May he RIP. It’s going to be weird without the numerous Lindy sightings. I think you are right about his immune system! No 5 second rule for Lindy.

11. David Morley
    November 6th, 2008 10:19
    11

    I used to make and sell marionettes and handprinted t-shirts during carnival in the early 1990s.Lindy helped me move my my stand from the park to carnival village several times.
    One of the first puppets I made for myself to keep, was called Lindy by people thought it looked like Lindy.
    After Lindy saw and enjoyed it I started to call it Lindy too and today it is my most loved marionette.I’m sorry Lindy is gone,I know he had his problems but I will miss the times I had very coherent conversations with him about playing the piano at the church and growing up in St John.
    Rest in Peace Lindy…rest in peace

12. Adam Cook
    November 6th, 2008 12:14
    12

    I have nothing but fond memories of him. His impromptu jam sessions at Grumpys often stole the show, seeing that he was left handed I was always amazed by how he could play my guitar upside down and still carry a tune.
    For a while Id take the backside of Gifft Hill to work in the morning and give him a lift into town He’d say good morning bum a smoke from me and hop in the back of the truck This happpened for months until one day I didn’t see him on the route anymore I saw him in town and asked him where he had been He looked at me smiled and said ” I got a place in town now” Best damn carpooler I’ve ever met Rest in peace brother You will be missed

13. Fazenbaker Family
    November 6th, 2008 15:46
    13

    Lindy was such a part of our memories on our vacations to St. John. The kids would try to find Lindy to see how he was doing. We will miss you Lindy.

14. linda
    November 6th, 2008 17:31
    14

    I just waved to him the other day, he was sitting on the steps of Patrick’s over in the parking lot…..when did he pass away…..

15. Ruth
    November 6th, 2008 18:17
    15

    These Lindy stories warm my heart. Many blessings to all of you who are able to see a person’s talents and independent spirit and overlook the flaws.
    Lindy was a kind soul and a part of our community. Many people were looking after him as well as they were able until the end.
    I am most certain that he will rest in peace.
    -Ruth

    Leave

16. sherrie
    November 6th, 2008 19:04
    16

    Lindy died late afternoon on the 4th.Election Day..
    What a guy. I felt so bad for him and his no teeth,I always gave him a bag of cheese balls and he would sit in the park and crunch away…He looked for me often to give him cheese balls..
    I will miss you Lindy.
    Bless your soul…

17. Pat
    November 6th, 2008 19:28
    17

    Cruz Bay lost an icon, walking around town will not be the same. R.I.P. my friend.

18. Red
    November 6th, 2008 20:07
    18

    Good Night Lindy,
    rest well and painless….

19. T. Barry
    November 7th, 2008 04:17
    19

    We have been vacationing every year on St. John for the last ten years and have never remembered a year we did not have our share of Lindy sightings. More often than not he would have a bottle of booze and perhaps a discarded cigarette, wandering about and laughing at something only he understood. Perhaps he had the right idea, if your a troubled soul there is no better place to be than St. John.
    He will be missed.

20. Jerome
    November 7th, 2008 16:24
    20

    My memories of Lindy go back to childhood on Saint John. I went from being afraid of this man to buying him drinks at Front Yard because he often couldn’t make it to the porch without getting kicked out. Lindy may not have been communicating much verbally when I spoke to him, but the man had a profound essence and could always be counted on for a smile. I’ve never met anyone more appreciative of a kind offering than Lindy. He would just throw his head back, squint his eyes, laugh, and go on his way.

    Peace Lindy.

21. SteveL
    November 7th, 2008 18:28
    21

    St John won’t ever be the same without Lindy. I found myself looking forward to seeing him. Sometimes he would give up a smile.
    Interesting that he died a wealthy man.

22. Bill in KY
    November 7th, 2008 20:13
    22

    Our daughter and I encountered Lindy in July when we were on island and she felt so sorry for him. It’s hard for youngsters to understand these situations. Seh wanted so badly to do something for him, but Lindy was Lindy.

    RIP friend.

23. KRAD
    November 8th, 2008 16:11
    23

    Rest in peace Lindy. You always made me laugh! St. John will not be the same. What a great place we live in, with the likes of souls as Lindy, Greenie, Luna, and so many more great characters… “St. John- We’re all here because we’re not all there”.

24. Lola
    November 8th, 2008 20:45
    24

    MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN GOING TO ST JOHN FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND LINDY OR AS WE THOUGHT LINNY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ISLAND PEOPLE WE LOOKED FOR AS WE GOT OFF THE FERRY, WE WILL TRULY MISS OUR LINNY SIGHTING AS WE RETURN NEXT YEAR. OUR SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS…FROM THE CAROLINA COAST

25. christine haden
    November 9th, 2008 05:41
    25

    I love jerome’s message about a profound essence thats exactly what I saw in him in a brief encounter I had with Lindy last year. His eyes captivated me and said I am so much more. I will always remember him. Christine

26. DUNE
    November 9th, 2008 10:58
    26

    ALL OF THESE MESSAGES ABOUT LINDY ARE REALLY PROFOUND. I THINK MISS RUTH WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW PEOPLE FELT. RUTH POWELL
    PO BOX 173
    ST JOHN VI 00831

27. John
    November 9th, 2008 12:17
    27

    Lindy was abandoned, abused, and neglected as a very young child. The St. John community became his family and the streets of Cruz Bay became his home. I hope his family finds it in their hearts to give Lindy a proper burial and memorial service, he deserves it.

28. RickG
    November 10th, 2008 10:20
    28

    We just got back from STJ and were very saddened by Lindy’s passing. We saw him over the weekend in his usual haunts, but looking pretty bad. Tuesday morning he was walking past Uncle Joe’s and was just barely keeping it up. We said hello as we drove past…

    Rest in Peace.

    Cheers, RickG

29. David
    November 10th, 2008 22:22
    29

    For: David Morley

    I still have my Rasta Marionette. It also reminds me of Lindy (he did have locks at one time). It is one of the things that I from a special time on St. John. Am now in NC!

    David (de t-shirt man)

30. Brian (Virgin Grand & Rock Lobster Bar)
    November 11th, 2008 20:03
    30

    I have lived on and visited St. John for the last 25 years. One of my fondest memories of Lindy was while on vacation here in 97′. When we get off the ferry boat, Lindy is standing there, freshly shaved, clean clothes, new shoes; looking sharp. I couldn’t beleive it. I had been gone a couple of years and thought he had changed his life around. Ten days later when I am getting on the ferry boat to leave, I see him again. He has the same clothes on that he was wearing the first day I saw him. He had never taken them off. He was filthy, missing one shoe, with the Lindy odor we all have grown accustomed to over the years. He walked up to me, grinnin like a opossum, rubbing his thumb and his first two fingers together, and nodded towards my cigarettes. I knew what he meant and gave him one, and he walked away. I remember thinking, I’m glad St. John always seems to stay the same. St. John will be slightly different now. Lindy you will be missed. Rest in peace.

31. Gretchen
    November 12th, 2008 11:27
    31

    Word on the street is there will be a service for Lindy on Friday, November 14, at the Bethany Moravian Church. I have not heard a time yet.

32. Joanna
    November 12th, 2008 17:46
    32

    I always got a kick out of his t-shirts.
    I remember when he had a Caneel shirt for a few days. I was working at Caneel at the time and thought it a great joke.
    Let us all remember
    He who laughs last, laughs last.
    We will miss the steady reliability of seeing Lindy in town.
    No one supervised the stairs above Connections as well as he did.
    Rest in Peace

33. Jeff
    November 12th, 2008 20:56
    33

    R.I.P. Lindy

34. Rick
    November 13th, 2008 16:31
    34

    Lindy’s physical manifestation may no longer be present in Cruz Bay, but his gentle spirit will always pervade the island paradise. RIP.

35. John
    November 13th, 2008 18:23
    35

    November 2008

    A memorial service is planned for Lindy Frazier tomorrow, Friday, November 14, at Bethany Moravian Church at 10 a.m.

36. The Gentry Family
    November 13th, 2008 22:52
    36

    We have been visiting STJ since 1999 and have always watched for Lindy. He will certainly be missed as a St. John icon. We truly always wondered how he stayed alive from year to year. In some ways he had a great life and in some ways we always wondered how he stayed alive. St. John will miss you Lindy!!!

37. St. John
    November 14th, 2008 22:14
    37

    Eulogy
    Anselmo Emanuel Thomas was born to Ruth E. (Thomas) Powell on December 23, 1954, on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He was adopted at the early age of 10 months by his maternal great aunt, Sophena (Mabel) and James Frazer who renamed him Lindy Emanuel Frazer, the name we all know him by today.

    Although Lindy was adopted, he spent weekends and summers with his birth mother, stepfather and siblings. Lindy attended the Julius E. Sprauve School up to the 8th grade. Although he was adopted, at age 14 he returned to live his brith mother until he went away to the Job Corps at age 16 — where he acquired a trade in electricity.

    Lindy loved to draw — a skill that came to him naturally. One only needed to tell him what they wanted he was able to draw it. He was also naturally skilled at playing piano and organ. He loved to play music. St. Johnians can tell you that in his earlier years Lindy could be found in churches of any denomination playing the organ and piano — not for service but for himself.

    Lindy was a familiar figure in Cruz Bay. He was not a violent person and was not a danger to anyone. His frequent forays into dumpsters and garbage pails gave him reading material. He loved to read. Instead of making the trek home to Gift Hill, he often asked passersby for “some change” to buy something to eat or drink. Lindy loved his life as he wanted to.

    He knew he was always welcomed at home, but chose to live on the streets. After he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus, he was brought home, but once again chose to return to the streets of Cruz Bay and live the way he wanted to.

    Lindy departed this life on November 4, 2008, in his beloved Cruz Bay. We will all miss this familiar figure walking the streets of Cruz Bay. May his soul rest in peace.

38. Nick
    November 24th, 2008 17:12
    38

    Lindy will always be a part of St. John history. RIP Lindy!!!