Lester "Lucky" McBride, a wonderful friend and a beautiful human being. One of GOD's loving creation, full of warmth and LOVE. Fond memories still exists in my mind of our days at Weaver High School and the joy we shared at UCONN. It was great having you as a roommate Freshman year at UCONN, being someone I knew as a good person. I can only reflect back to the joy you brought to my wife Denise and the Mark Twain School as a Fireman talking about fire safety to the students. You always had the gift of sharing.You was the one that keep many in the loop on events in Hartford and around Connecticut. Your heart was always full of love, joy and giving. We, the Weaver High School class of 1971 reunion committee appreciates all the hard work you contributed to the success of all of our past reunions. And of course you was quite the actor, performing at the Hartford Stage and Theater Works. Rest in peace my brother until we meet again. Your soul is now with GOD and your spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Donald and Denise Smith
I remember the first time I saw Lucky, like Linda Jones Scott would say “a double dipped chocolate drop.”
He had a presence about him…he was very nice and polite. He had a real hardy laugh that made you join into the laughter with him. The kind of guy you wanted to take home to MOM! And I did, and my Mother fell in love with that man from day one! I remember the breakfast my folks gave us after the Cotillion Ball. My Mom asked Lucky how he wanted his eggs and he replied “over easy”. My Mom just looked at him and said “scrambled”
High School for us was a blast; NY trips to the Apollo Theatre, school dances, outings, athletic championships…great times with great people!!!
We left high school off to our various colleges and or jobs and found ourselves meeting up again in the 80’s.
I don’t remember how Lucky and I teamed up again…all I remember was A Wilsons’ Place, Cajun food, Jazz, John Williams famous cheese cakes, Louisianna Lennys’ Jambalaya!!! And that crazy sticker in his car “Lucky Strikes Again!”
I will never forget the apt. on Woodland Drive when my daughters and Jaspers son broke down Luckys’ bed by jumping on it. I was so embarrassed and Lucky just shrugged it off “kids having fun”
That’s how he was, calm in the midst of calamity.
Then tragedy struck and I watched helplessly as my good friend and his brother struggled to live through the tragic death of their Mom Miss Geraldine. It seemed like time stood still and we all prayed for their survival. I remember looking into Luckys’ tear stained eyes filled with questions. He survived and life continued with an intense focus and resolve I hadn’t seen before.
The man loved St. Thomas and went there every chance he got. I would tell him to just move there and become a citizen!
In 2005-2006 my tragedies hit and a friendship was forged between Lester McBride Jr. and Patricia A. Adams that lasted a lifetime.
Lucky was there for me throughout the loss of my folks especially my Mom. When we had the double funeral service for my Mom and Aunt, Lucky came in and as I stood between the two coffins, he put his shoulder there and I just rested my head there for a while. I have been resting my head on his shoulders ever since.
My Friend, who would come and take me for rides to North Hampton, Middletown, the shore lines; help me clear my head; keep me calm when all seemed too hectic for me to deal with; my Friend who loved my sweet potato pies and lemon pound cakes; my Friend the aspiring actor, movie critic; my Friend who would e-mail and text with me until I fell asleep because of my insomnia; my Friend who could sing the hell out of Nat King Coles’ “Lonesome and Sorry”; my Friend who told me he didn’t know what he would do if anything ever happened to me…and now I have to figure out just what I’m going to do, now that he’s gone.
I know you all say he’s not gone, we are spirits and his spirit lives on in each of us…I get it! But my heart is going through withdrawal and like all great losses it will take time to get over it.
As we approach November 22, 2013 and the celebration of the life of Lester McBride Jr. I am once again reminded of the passing of my parents and aunt all in the month of November, I can’t help but think of them having a glorious time in Heaven and that they would never want to come back this way…so with that said we must live our lives as they did so we will see them again “What a Day of Rejoicing That Will Be!”
Until then I admonish you beloved to live life to its’ fullest, love as if your very soul depended on it and give it your personalized twist as my Friend Lucky did!
There are no words to express how I felt when I heard about the passing of our classmate Lester McBride Jr. Lester also known as Lucky was one of a kind. He had such a loving heart, he always thought of others and demonstrated that in his daily life. I looked forward to receiving his emails of the upcoming community events and his personal notes. I am so glad that I attended the last Class Reunion where I last saw Lucky. Of course as usual he was his friendly, caring self. I feel so blessed to have known such a wonderful, caring man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his daughter and his family. Lucky will truely be missed. But I know that Lucky's family and friends now have a special Angel watching over them.
From your boy Skip,i miss you already.In 2003 i remember watching the news and you came out of a burning building with a child in your arms,my heart leapt with pride.Lucky i will never forget you,you are my friend,brother and hero......forever.May God welcome you with open arms,Well done, good and faithful servant.
Lester (Lucky) McBride, Jr., 62, of Hartford passed peacefully at home on November 8, 2013. He was born to the late Lester McBride, Sr. and Geraldine Tucker. Lester was a retired Fire Fighter with the City of Hartford. He was also a former Trooper with the First Company Governor's Horse Guard. A celebration of his life will take place, Friday, November 22, 2013 at 2 p.m. at the Henry L. Fuqua Funeral Service, 94 Granby Street, Bloomfield, CT.
This is extremely hard for me. Our friendship is a second generation friendship that was started by our parents. I called Lucky's parents Aunt & Uncle. Lucky was to be my daughter's godfather. Both of our hearts were broken when she passed at birth.Today Lucky's children call me Uncle. It's a relationship that I will always cherish. Jasper has alerted me that I'm his big brother now (lol..Lord help me)!! I won't let him down.
During our high school years Lucky & I engaged in different activities, but believe me when I say that anything that happened at 112 Salisbury St. made it to 8 Berkley Drive. Anything that happened at 8 Berkley Drive would make it on up the hill to 112 Salisbury St. When I goofed up (which was often), Lucky would hear about and vice versa. This brings me to the story about the gutters! On this particular day, the gutters on our house looked a mess & it was my job to clean any leaves & other debris that may have had them clogged up. I hated that job because I had to deal with a 30 foot ladder. I didn't have the arm strength that I have now, so I put that job off as long as I could. Then the hammer dropped!! My father said something about it, then on the same day Aunt Gerry said "when are you going to clean those gutters Jimmy". I went on & got it done later in the day. Aunt Gerry must have gone home & spoke on it, because Lucky phoned me a few hours afterwards telling to me to get the gutters done cause he's been hearing about it for the last 20 minutes!
When I moved to D.C. we became closer. We usually talked once a week. Our conversations were about everything from the Dalai Lama to who was the D.J. at "old folks home". I can count the times that I actually saw him mad. When he did get upset you would know it, because he didn't chew his cabbage twice.
It's true that Lucky had a active relationship with GOD. We would constantly remind each other to armour up (Ephesians 6:11) because the devil is busy.
I'm sure he is resting in peace & I will see him again.
It was good to read Jimmy Caul's memories of Lucky. Personally, it was good to see his name and to know that he is still in the hearts and minds of folks. I do realize he's gone, but it was good to remember him with others.
Our relationship stories are similar in that they both go back to our families. My father and Lucky's father were Deacons at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church @ 222 Barbour Street. Mt. Moriah started when we were young, probably 6 - 8 years old and we have been friends since then. We spent a lot of time in that place. A whole lot of time in that place. I remember as a child, neighborhood children asking if my family went away on the weekends. My reply was always the same, no we just were in church. Their response to me was. we went to church too, implying, we went to church on Sunday @ 11:00AM but it didn't take us all weekend. I would just look at them, saying in my mind, but you didn't go to Mt. Moriah, where you could not hurry God or the Reverend D.S. Craig.
A group of kids around our own age formed our own little group that made our time at the "Mount" enjoyable, because attendance was not optional. You either went or found yourself somewhere else to sleep. So we spent a lot of time together. Good enjoyable times, with the people of God and another manifestation of the extended black family, my "church family."
Gang a reminder. We met last in 2011, and we are scheduled again for June 2016 for our 35th Class Reunion! Start spreading the word, start planning to be in attendance and plan now to be active in the planning process.
Reunion 35 will be here in a minute. It's time to do it again! Be blessed and have a wonderful summer.
Try Him when dark clouds asail thee, Try Him when thy strgenth is small, Try Him when to simply try Him seems the hardest thing of all. Try HIm when all things are surpass, All thy tears upon Him cast, Try Him till this life is ove and our Trying days have passed. Lester Mc Bride Jr was a friend to all in his own personal way. Loved, Respected and will be greatly missed. Vil-Madinah aka Vilma Diane feels a Weaver Beaver void. May his transition be a peacful one amen.
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Anthony Brown
this picture speaks all about Lester McBride jr. you will be miss....i remember the horse guard in avon !!! and you on them horse R.I.P. bro.
Donald Smith
Lester "Lucky" McBride, a wonderful friend and a beautiful human being. One of GOD's loving creation, full of warmth and LOVE. Fond memories still exists in my mind of our days at Weaver High School and the joy we shared at UCONN. It was great having you as a roommate Freshman year at UCONN, being someone I knew as a good person. I can only reflect back to the joy you brought to my wife Denise and the Mark Twain School as a Fireman talking about fire safety to the students. You always had the gift of sharing.You was the one that keep many in the loop on events in Hartford and around Connecticut. Your heart was always full of love, joy and giving. We, the Weaver High School class of 1971 reunion committee appreciates all the hard work you contributed to the success of all of our past reunions. And of course you was quite the actor, performing at the Hartford Stage and Theater Works. Rest in peace my brother until we meet again. Your soul is now with GOD and your spirit will remain in our hearts forever. Donald and Denise Smith
Patricia Adams
My Friend
I remember the first time I saw Lucky, like Linda Jones Scott would say “a double dipped chocolate drop.”
He had a presence about him…he was very nice and polite. He had a real hardy laugh that made you join into the laughter with him. The kind of guy you wanted to take home to MOM! And I did, and my Mother fell in love with that man from day one! I remember the breakfast my folks gave us after the Cotillion Ball. My Mom asked Lucky how he wanted his eggs and he replied “over easy”. My Mom just looked at him and said “scrambled”
High School for us was a blast; NY trips to the Apollo Theatre, school dances, outings, athletic championships…great times with great people!!!
We left high school off to our various colleges and or jobs and found ourselves meeting up again in the 80’s.
I don’t remember how Lucky and I teamed up again…all I remember was A Wilsons’ Place, Cajun food, Jazz, John Williams famous cheese cakes, Louisianna Lennys’ Jambalaya!!! And that crazy sticker in his car “Lucky Strikes Again!”
I will never forget the apt. on Woodland Drive when my daughters and Jaspers son broke down Luckys’ bed by jumping on it. I was so embarrassed and Lucky just shrugged it off “kids having fun”
That’s how he was, calm in the midst of calamity.
Then tragedy struck and I watched helplessly as my good friend and his brother struggled to live through the tragic death of their Mom Miss Geraldine. It seemed like time stood still and we all prayed for their survival. I remember looking into Luckys’ tear stained eyes filled with questions. He survived and life continued with an intense focus and resolve I hadn’t seen before.
The man loved St. Thomas and went there every chance he got. I would tell him to just move there and become a citizen!
In 2005-2006 my tragedies hit and a friendship was forged between Lester McBride Jr. and Patricia A. Adams that lasted a lifetime.
Lucky was there for me throughout the loss of my folks especially my Mom. When we had the double funeral service for my Mom and Aunt, Lucky came in and as I stood between the two coffins, he put his shoulder there and I just rested my head there for a while. I have been resting my head on his shoulders ever since.
My Friend, who would come and take me for rides to North Hampton, Middletown, the shore lines; help me clear my head; keep me calm when all seemed too hectic for me to deal with; my Friend who loved my sweet potato pies and lemon pound cakes; my Friend the aspiring actor, movie critic; my Friend who would e-mail and text with me until I fell asleep because of my insomnia; my Friend who could sing the hell out of Nat King Coles’ “Lonesome and Sorry”; my Friend who told me he didn’t know what he would do if anything ever happened to me…and now I have to figure out just what I’m going to do, now that he’s gone.
I know you all say he’s not gone, we are spirits and his spirit lives on in each of us…I get it! But my heart is going through withdrawal and like all great losses it will take time to get over it.
As we approach November 22, 2013 and the celebration of the life of Lester McBride Jr. I am once again reminded of the passing of my parents and aunt all in the month of November, I can’t help but think of them having a glorious time in Heaven and that they would never want to come back this way…so with that said we must live our lives as they did so we will see them again “What a Day of Rejoicing That Will Be!”
Until then I admonish you beloved to live life to its’ fullest, love as if your very soul depended on it and give it your personalized twist as my Friend Lucky did!
Sorrow is not forever…Love Is
Peace pATT Adams
Sandra Beth Clinton (Heath)
There are no words to express how I felt when I heard about the passing of our classmate Lester McBride Jr. Lester also known as Lucky was one of a kind. He had such a loving heart, he always thought of others and demonstrated that in his daily life. I looked forward to receiving his emails of the upcoming community events and his personal notes. I am so glad that I attended the last Class Reunion where I last saw Lucky. Of course as usual he was his friendly, caring self. I feel so blessed to have known such a wonderful, caring man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his daughter and his family. Lucky will truely be missed. But I know that Lucky's family and friends now have a special Angel watching over them.
Thomas (Skip) Johnson
From your boy Skip,i miss you already.In 2003 i remember watching the news and you came out of a burning building with a child in your arms,my heart leapt with pride.Lucky i will never forget you,you are my friend,brother and hero......forever.May God welcome you with open arms,Well done, good and faithful servant.
Donald Smith
James Caul
This is extremely hard for me. Our friendship is a second generation friendship that was started by our parents. I called Lucky's parents Aunt & Uncle. Lucky was to be my daughter's godfather. Both of our hearts were broken when she passed at birth.Today Lucky's children call me Uncle. It's a relationship that I will always cherish. Jasper has alerted me that I'm his big brother now (lol..Lord help me)!! I won't let him down.
During our high school years Lucky & I engaged in different activities, but believe me when I say that anything that happened at 112 Salisbury St. made it to 8 Berkley Drive. Anything that happened at 8 Berkley Drive would make it on up the hill to 112 Salisbury St. When I goofed up (which was often), Lucky would hear about and vice versa. This brings me to the story about the gutters! On this particular day, the gutters on our house looked a mess & it was my job to clean any leaves & other debris that may have had them clogged up. I hated that job because I had to deal with a 30 foot ladder. I didn't have the arm strength that I have now, so I put that job off as long as I could. Then the hammer dropped!! My father said something about it, then on the same day Aunt Gerry said "when are you going to clean those gutters Jimmy". I went on & got it done later in the day. Aunt Gerry must have gone home & spoke on it, because Lucky phoned me a few hours afterwards telling to me to get the gutters done cause he's been hearing about it for the last 20 minutes!
When I moved to D.C. we became closer. We usually talked once a week. Our conversations were about everything from the Dalai Lama to who was the D.J. at "old folks home". I can count the times that I actually saw him mad. When he did get upset you would know it, because he didn't chew his cabbage twice.
It's true that Lucky had a active relationship with GOD. We would constantly remind each other to armour up (Ephesians 6:11) because the devil is busy.
I'm sure he is resting in peace & I will see him again.
Jimmy
Howard McLendon (McLendon)
Classmates:
It was good to read Jimmy Caul's memories of Lucky. Personally, it was good to see his name and to know that he is still in the hearts and minds of folks. I do realize he's gone, but it was good to remember him with others.
Our relationship stories are similar in that they both go back to our families. My father and Lucky's father were Deacons at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church @ 222 Barbour Street. Mt. Moriah started when we were young, probably 6 - 8 years old and we have been friends since then. We spent a lot of time in that place. A whole lot of time in that place. I remember as a child, neighborhood children asking if my family went away on the weekends. My reply was always the same, no we just were in church. Their response to me was. we went to church too, implying, we went to church on Sunday @ 11:00AM but it didn't take us all weekend. I would just look at them, saying in my mind, but you didn't go to Mt. Moriah, where you could not hurry God or the Reverend D.S. Craig.
A group of kids around our own age formed our own little group that made our time at the "Mount" enjoyable, because attendance was not optional. You either went or found yourself somewhere else to sleep. So we spent a lot of time together. Good enjoyable times, with the people of God and another manifestation of the extended black family, my "church family."
Gang a reminder. We met last in 2011, and we are scheduled again for June 2016 for our 35th Class Reunion! Start spreading the word, start planning to be in attendance and plan now to be active in the planning process.
Reunion 35 will be here in a minute. It's time to do it again! Be blessed and have a wonderful summer.
Howard
.
Regina Dowdell (Arline)
Hey family, I agree my brother's. It is very difficult not to think of Lucky, for such a human being/spirit
that leaves such an indelible footprint on ones life. Even long distance, all the way from Georgia, I
seem to still be in waiting to receive an email from him. There is no doubt that his spirit lives on
through us. God bless each and every one.........Regina
Vil-Madinah Watson (Gharib)
Try Him when dark clouds asail thee, Try Him when thy strgenth is small, Try Him when to simply try Him seems the hardest thing of all. Try HIm when all things are surpass, All thy tears upon Him cast, Try Him till this life is ove and our Trying days have passed. Lester Mc Bride Jr was a friend to all in his own personal way. Loved, Respected and will be greatly missed. Vil-Madinah aka Vilma Diane feels a Weaver Beaver void. May his transition be a peacful one amen.