They travelled miles to say farewell to ‘Saga’

Oct 26, 2017 News

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By Bertie Peters
They came from near, and they came from far. Some came by bus, and some by car. Some were curious, and some were bereaved, but they turned out in their numbers to join the usually quiet Seafield Village, West Coast Berbice, to bid farewell to 59-year-old Godfrey Scipio, called Saga.
Most of the residents in the early villages are related; they refer to each other as Uncle, Auntie, or Cousin. So, the slain businessman would have had many from within the village address him as Uncle or Cousin Godfrey.
Saga, after a funeral service at the Seafield Lutheran Church, was laid to rest at the Seafield Cemetery on Monday. His children will hardly ever forget that their father was brutally murdered and robbed.
Saga carried millions of dollars around his neck in gold jewellery. He always did, and it led to his death. Oh, a guilty pleasure led to the death of a man so loved and respected. Sources close to him have been saying that he was not able to defend himself, even though he was armed.
If that which has been reported in certain sections of the media is accurate, it is a clear case of premeditated murder. The suspect whom the police was able to identify via video footage, a known character to the lawmen, is reported to have confessed to having committed the crime, after the police picked him up at his home.
Further, he is reported to have told the police that when he first saw the victim, and thought of robbing him, he had second thoughts. He felt that the ice-pick which he had on him, was not formidable enough a weapon with which to confront the victim.
He quickly got on to his friend, from whom he was able to secure a hand gun, and it spelt death for ‘Saga’, on the afternoon of October 12, 2017. The native of Seafield Village, West Coast Berbice, was reported to have died while receiving medical attention at a private hospital in Georgetown. His assailant escaped with his jewellery and other valuables.
Scipio leaves to mourn, his wife, a number of children, four siblings, many relatives and friends. He has also left a legacy which was manifested in much of the huge crowd which travelled approximately fifty miles from Georgetown to West Coast Berbice, to be at his funeral.
He was known to be fun-loving… Saga would have also made quite an impact as a businessman at the Berbice Car Park from as far back as the 1980’s.
Among the many people who turned up at the funeral, were people who recalled the days of the O.J. Simpson trial, when they would have stopped by Saga to watch the proceedings on TV. What about The Young and The Restless?
He was a cricket fan. Many cricket fans could have been heard recalling the days when they hurried down to the park to watch cricket during the days when West Indies dominated world cricket. There were those who recalled having gone to the park to join a bus or car, but remained rooted watching cricket, and of course, having something cold to drink.
Many folks from West Berbice, who would have travelled to Georgetown to conduct business, would remember Godfrey Scipio for many different reasons. Yes, at the Berbice Car Park where he conducted his business, Saga was central.
‘The boys’ would meet at Saga for a few beers, and then proceed to make their way home, or to wherever they may be working away from home. “But, who is Saga?” the question would have been, and the response would have been, “Well, look for a gentleman wearing plenty jewellery, that is Saga. You can’t miss him.”
He was a man for the people, very humble, and there was a very calm way about him. People, who were well known to Saga, could have gone to him, and secured a loan, if they had gone to town, and did not have sufficient cash on them to complete whatever matters they needed to attend to.
Apart from the retail of beverages, confectionery, cigarettes, and snacks, Godfrey/Saga, provided a very reliable service for which he would be remembered for a very long time. Berbicians could have depended on him for the delivery of parcels and money to or from West Coast Berbice. Individuals could have gone to the Berbice Park, and left money or parcel with Saga, together with the necessary instructions, and be assured that all would have been well.
From the outside, it would appear as though Saga was enjoying his life. He loved jewellery and did wear plenty to his death. He had many friends, and was very popular in certain circles. He did have fun. However, to have had his life snuffed out under such circumstances was tragic. And to depart at age fifty-nine, well short of three scores, is to have gone too soon. May his soul rest in peace.

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