Lennon Mathias Innocent

There is a quote that says: Life is a journey not intended to have you arrive safely to the grave in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW!!!! What a ride! For many of us, that is how we'll remember Lennon Mathias Innocent…a person who lived fully and completely-experiencing all the edges of life with great energy. Len was born on February, 25th 1936, the seventh of 10 children of Florence Marin and Jean Lionel Innocent in Trinidad, West Indies As a young boy, he was a good student attending St. Mary's College in Port of Spain and enjoying vacations with his siblings and parents in Tobago…catching birds, riding horses and bathing in the sea. Growing up and venturing out on his own, Len made friends effortlessly-many of his friends he kept throughout his entire life. He was at ease with everyone…he pushed boundaries, embraced the "underdog' and learned to live fearlessly. As a young man, Len became a father to Dawn and Michael, children who remained dear and important to him throughout his journey. After graduation, at age 19 Len moved to London where he joined the Royal Air Force. It was during this time in England that he met the love of his life Barbara Sealey. In 1961 they married and on August 17, 2002 the couple celebrated and renewed their marriage vows. In all, they enjoyed 46 years together. From this union three children were born, Ian, Sherma and Junior (Lennon). In 1968, Len moved his family to the United States, settling in Queens, New York. Over the years he worked many jobs, making an effort to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for his family…always being mindful to punctuate work with fun. In 1981 Len and Barbara returned to Trinidad where they lived for 8 years before coming back to the states- choosing Florida as their home in 1989. Lennon Mathias Innocent was a loving, devoted husband to Barbra during her year-long battle with the cancer that claimed her life in 2007. He was grandfather to 11 grandchildren; Neicha, Marvin, Tamara, Alroy, Nackeil, Jaide, Imani, Amber, Elija, Gabriella and Isiah. He also leaves behind 2 great grands; Malik and Jada. Len was the kind of grandfather that would enjoy letting giggling granddaughters apply lipstick and rouge to his bearded face without batting a mascaraed eyelash… He was a central link to the family history for numerous nieces and nephews. Always available with a wink, a nod and a laugh about the Innocent family. He was a brother, who whenever he could, made himself available to help his surviving siblings; sisters Gloria and Shelia and brother, Alvin (Son). He was a cool father- in-law to Craig Smith, Shelly–Ann Hackshaw and Elizabeth Suentes-Innocent, consistently standing by to listen and support them. Anyone who spoke with Len over the nearly three years since Barbara died-understood how much he missed her. On Friday, September 10, 2010, while on holiday in Trinidad, Lennon Mathias Innocent joined his be-loved Barbara to rest eternally together. If you listen to the voice of Lennon Mathias Innocent in your head and heart-you can hear him say-"I cool, I cool, I cool"

Lennon Mathias Innocent

February 25, 1936 - September 10, 2010