Lloyd R Vassell

Lloyd Ralford Vassell, affectionately called Ben, the son of Rita Myrie and Sydney Vassell, was born on July 9,1945, in Cousins Cove, Hanover, Jamaica, West Indies.

He attended Cousins Cove All Age School.  At an early age, he learned a trade to help his mother take care of his siblings. In the early 70s, he worked with The Water Commission and The Parish Council as a plumber.

Lloyd traveled to St. Mary, where he met and fell in love with Joan Bloomfield; they were married from 1972 to 1990.  Lloyd became a member of the Church of God and Saints of Christ church and was active in his walk with the Lord. In 1975, he was ordained as an ‘Elder’ and served well in his office; preaching the word of God to the weary souls.

In 1989, Lloyd migrated to South Orange, New Jersey where he started his new journey as a driver, transporting patients from Cheshire Home and Rehabilitation Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. There he met Sandra Jones and later married her on November 22, 1991.

Lloyd was determined to make a better life for himself.  He learned how to drive tractor trailers while he was still working his private plumbing jobs. Shortly after, he became self-employed and worked for several companies throughout the years. While driving trucks, he would work his private plumbing jobs on the weekends. His last contract job was with All Ports Logistics in Linden, New Jersey.

No one who met Daddy Ben forgot his infectious laughs and passion for helping others, which inspired his daughter, Nicole, to often call him the world's greatest Santa.

Lloyd's health started failing after retirement.  On August 17, 2024, he had a fall that he was unable to recover from.  He passed away peacefully on September 6, 2024.

He left to mourn and cherish his memories, his wife Sandra Vassell, brother Ian Austin, children Barbara Vassell, Nicole Vassell, Dwain Vassell, Donnette Vassell, Malika Ali (Medina Sharrieff), Aminah Sharrieff, Naimah Sharrieff, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends.

A limb has fallen from the family tree. We can hear him say, "Grieve, not for me." Remember the best times, the laughter, the songs, and the good, happy life lived when I was strong. Continue my heritage. I am counting on you. Keep smiling, and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, and my soul is at rest. I am no longer feeling any pain. Continue to love each other and be at peace. I miss you all dearly.

Farewell, my beloved farewell.