Caribbean L 12 ife, May 15-21, 2020
Community advocate Linden
Branche lost to COVID-19
By Tangerine Clarke
Kind and generous, were words that
described late Guyanese-American
Linden Branche, who was memorialized
by friends and family, from far
away as Guyana, Cayman Island, Hong
Kong, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the
U.S. during a poignant virtual sendoff,
organized by Charlestown Alumni Association,
NY, Inc., on May 2.
The former owner of D’Lorice Banquet
Hall died from Covid-19 just after
he turned 65.
Branche, remembered as a successful
businessman, community advocate
and entrepreneur, who, along with his
wife Victoria, built the first black-owned
banquet hall in East Orange, New Jersey,
was eulogized by friend, and former
schoolmate Alex Neptune, as someone
whose qualities are irreplaceable.
“He gave from his heart not expecting
anything in return. He was always
willing to help someone start a new
business, or offering a job at the banquet
hall. He was a resourceful person, who
believed in his community of Irvington.
He had friends of all nationalities,
rich and poor, he was a family man,
lamented Neptune, recalling Branche’s
recent trip to Guyana to reconnect with
relatives.
“Linden had tenacity, and drive. He
lived his life to the fullest, and many
times took us along for the ride. God
had other plans for him. Thanks for the
joyous years we spent with you, added
Neptune, who expressed deepest condolences
to Branche’s family.”
Linden was the total package. Mentally
tough, physically strong, and spiritually
deep, said former schoolmate
Danny Ranchurjee, adding that, he and
Linden had prayed together. “He loved
his friends,” he shared.
Dr. Henry Muttoo admired Linden
for his industry, the exuberant way he
celebrated life, the joy he brought to everyone,
and the bond they shared.
“I have emotionally distance myself
from others lost to Covid-19 but Linden’s
passing would not allow me to do so. It
is the most painful, he was a good man,
he was my friend,” said Clement McAlman,
sobbing uncontrollably.
Branche’s friend of 55 years,
Rudolph Skeete, recalled the unforgettable
exciting moments they shared,
saying.
“We were both competitive, but he
brought out the best in me. He was a
great, kind man. He is gone too soon.
My life will never be the same,” added
Skeete.
President of the Jersey City Carnival,
NJ Cheryl Murphy called Linden Branche
a pillar, lost to the community.
“He was not only a Caribbean man,
he was a community man. Irvington
was his heart and soul,” she said of the
icon, she met at an event hosted by then,
Mayor Corey Booker.
She said he was a visionary, but
Linden Branche and Victoria Branche
at the opening of D’Lorice Banquet
Hall in Irvington NJ. in 2016.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
he faced difficulty being a black businessperson,
not being able to acquire
loans to complete his banquet hall.
“He said he was tired of black people
having to socialize at ‘dives’. It was
pretty much his dream, and he build
that banquet hall from the ground up,”
said Murphy.
Branche played vital roles on the carnival
committee, as a volunteer member,
and a 2014 Grand Marshall, representing
Guyana.
During his one-year term as chairman,
he raised funds, remained one
of the main sponsors, and offered his
establishment as the kick-off point for
the carnival. He was a Goodwill Ambassador,
and received Proclamations from
the City of Jersey City, and Hudson
County, NJ.
Caribbean Life was the first publication
to feature the 2016 opening
of D’Lorice, after Branche, a computer
specialist, worked arduously to
improved his neighborhood, by building
the upscale venue.
He was determined to invest in a banquet
hall to enhance his community,
and engage the Caribbean community.
“We support a lot of social events
outside of the neighborhood, so I saw
a market for a banquet hall and I said
why not in the Irvington community,”
Branche had said.
“There is no need for me to be fearful,
of my neighborhood. We need to
promote people like ourselves. We cannot
all run from our community, or be
indoctrinated by those who say Afro-
American citizens can’t own a business
such as this,” were his fighting words at
the opening of his D’Lorice.
Other tributes came from Dr. Ivelaw
Griffith, Dr. Rudolph Willis, Phillip
Smith, Leslie E. C. Stewart, Garfield
Warren, Yvonne Gudge, and many others
. Branche leaves his wife, Victoria, children
Joseph and Natolia Wayne, grandchildren,
brother, Julian, and many relatives,
to mourn his passing.
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