Shelley Challenger Brampton Funeral Home & Cemetery; Brampton, Ontario
Shelley Challenger was born in Toronto, Ontario, and raised in Brampton, Ontario to Antiguan and Jamaican parents. After graduating high school she pursued the field of pre-med science at Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA.
Shelley’s life suddenly changed dramatically during her junior year when she learned her father was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The tragedy impelled her return to Canada. Shelley’s father died shortly after. She was adamant about being involved with her father’s funeral arrangements. The funeral home manager recognized her keen curiosity about the funeral process and he approached her, privately, and asked if she would be interested in volunteering at the funeral home during her summer break. Reluctantly, she accepted the offer, and realized that this career path was not only her calling but, an intrinsic passion.
In June 2001, Shelley graduated from Humber College in Toronto and fulfilled her apprenticeship at the Scott Funeral Home Brampton Chapel; the same funeral home her father was buried at in 1996. During her apprenticeship in 2000, she was offered a position with Arbor Memorial Services Inc. In January 2002, she received an Ontario License as a Funeral Director & Embalmer.
In early 2004, Shelley was yet again faced with family tragedy. Her mother, whom so instrumentally promoted and supported her career, died suddenly from a short illness. Claire Challenger was so proud of her daughter’s accomplishments. She would often attend her funerals just to see her at work. Claire’s wish was to see Shelley become a manager, and unfortunately that wish did not come true before her untimely death.
In July 2005, Shelley was promoted to Managing Funeral Director of the Scott Funeral Home West Toronto Chapel, becoming the first black Canadian woman to manage and operate a funeral establishment in Canada.
Looking back on her journey into funeral service, Shelley appreciated the personal challenges and racial barriers she was forced to confront as one of only four black females in a predominantly white program at Humber College. Like the other studious black women in the program, she excelled in her studies; however, found it very difficult to secure apprenticeships within the field at that time. Despite all of her challenges Shelley has remained grateful to be the one chosen to lead the path for other minorities in funeral service.
In July 2009, Shelley was promoted to the Brampton Funeral Home & Cemetery, a 20,000 sq. ft. state of the art facility which encompasses a modern-traditional atmosphere. Their Grand opening attracted over 3,000 attendees who witnessed the unveiling of the tribute wall and butterfly release.
Shelley was the 2011 recipient of the United Achievers Black Advisory Council, long-standing affiliate member of CABL (Canadian Association for Black Lawyers), and continues to mentor to local schools in the Brampton area.
Had it not been for that one manager who saw her potential so many years ago, her story would not be evident today.
Gerard Luz James, James Memorial Funeral Home, Christiansted, Virgin Islands
Gerard Luz James, II was born March 18, 1953. His late father, G. Luz A. James was known as a US Virgin Islander politician, lawyer, businessman and broadcaster. He was also the first Virgin Islander to become Adjutant General in the VI National Guard.
Gerard was the family’s first son and second child. He graduated from the Miami Military Academy in Florida, 1971. Gerard received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1975. He enlisted in the United States Army where he served for six years. Gerard was promoted to the rank of Captain before he was honorably discharged in 1981.
He studied Mortuary Science and became licensed in the profession before returning to the United States Virgin Islands and then founded and opened up the James Memorial Funeral Home in Christiansted, which he still operates today. He became a member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc. and was appointed the District Governor IX for the region.
Gerard Luz James followed in his father’s footsteps and began his political career in 1992 when he was elected as a Senator in the Virgin Island Legislature. In 1998, Charles Turnbull, a candidate for Governor of the US Virgin Islands chose Gerard James as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. The Turnbull-James ticket was elected in the 1998 gubernatorial election. James was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor on Monday, January 4, 1999. James was the president of the Fifth Constitutional Convention of the US Virgin Islands.
Gerard announced his candidacy for Governor of the US Virgin Islands as a Democrat. His campaign was officially launched on August 1, 2010 in Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted. James chose Glen J. Smith, an educator as his running mate. It was an unsuccessful bid and he resumed his duties among other things as the CEO of James Memorial Funeral Home. He takes a very proactive part in his islands politics, civic and community involvements. We salute the tenacity of this beloved great man and the rich heritage of his family and their political careers and involvements.