Stanley Theodore Sebastian
Stanley Theodore Sebastian was the son of Joseph Matthew Sebastian and Clarisse Richardson. He grew up in Newtown in his mother’s household. At an early age he learnt how to move in various social circles. From his mother he acquired friendliness towards all with whom he came in contact. His father, on the other hand, challenged him to be outstanding.
Young Stanley received his foundation in education at the Basseterre Boys’ School then under the guiding hand of the head master, Samuel Beach. Once those school years were behind him, Stanley Sebastian served as a pupil teacher at Palmetto Point then advanced to the position of Assistant teacher.
Following a course in Public Health, Sebastian was employed as an inspector assigned to Gingerland, Nevis. Through the regional branch of Public Health Engineering, of the Department of Colonial Development and Welfare, enabled him to undergo further studies in this specialized field. Later, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Manchester where he won a bronze medal for his academic performance.
Stanley Sebastian returned home as a Public Health Engineer. He found that a great deal of work was waiting to be completed. In 1959, the World Health Organization awarded him a fellowship which he used to obtain a Masters of Science degree from John Hopkins University in the United States. This enabled him to join such distinguished professional organizations as the Institute of Public Health Engineers, the Institute of Water Engineers, the Royal Society of Health and the American Water Works Association.
In St. Kitts Sebastian put his qualifications to good use. As a civil servant he became known for being straight forward, energetic, and loyal. He had a great sense of humour and tenacity for getting the job done. His crowning achievement was the laying of the water main leading from Wingfield River to Basseterre. At the time this allowed one million gallons of water per day to reach town effectively eliminating water shortages except in serious drought conditions. He was later assigned to the Frigate Bay project as Development Engineer.
Sebastian’s interests however spanned a wider spectrum of intellectual and cultural involvements. His professional career must have been, in part at least, responsible for his interest in fossils. But Stanley Sebastian also had a love of music. He taught himself the piano, sang in the Moravian Choir and became an authority on ballroom dancing. He served as president of the Mutual Improvement Society and also took an active interest in sports giving a great deal of support to the Netball Club.
Stanley Sebastian died in June 1969.