Celebration of John Samuel's Life
Family and friends will gather on Saturday, 25 July 2026 at Jesus Christ Heaven's Gate Church in Purcell Estate to celebrate the life of John Julio Daniel Samuel. Born in the Dominican Republic, Mr. Samuel made the BVI his home for decades, worked in the territory’s hospitality sector, and will be remembered for his faith, kindness and service to the community.
Family, friends and members of the public are invited to a Celebration of Life for John Julio Daniel Samuel on Saturday, 25 July 2026 at 4:30 PM local time. The service will be held at Jesus Christ Heaven's Gate Church in Purcell Estate (behind OneMart, The Spanish Church). The family has asked that attendees "come as you are," bringing stories, smiles or simply their presence.
John Samuel was born in the Dominican Republic and settled in the British Virgin Islands between the late 1980s and early 1990s. Over the years he became a familiar and beloved figure in the local hospitality industry, working behind the bar and serving guests at Prospect Reef, Peter Island and Maria's By the Sea.
Known for a warm smile, a perfectly mixed drink and a welcoming manner, John made visitors and neighbours alike feel seen and at ease. It was in the BVI that John also found his faith, a turning point that shaped the rest of his life. Family and friends note that his faith deepened over the years and that he lived by the words of 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." That faith and the relationships he built here remained central to his identity even after he left the islands.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Irma and a subsequent cancer diagnosis, John made the difficult decision to move with his family to the United Kingdom. He did so to pursue treatment opportunities and to secure a better future for his loved ones—a sacrifice his family says extended his time with them and reflected his devotion as a husband and father.
John’s health improved for a period in the UK, and he continued to be the caring, faithful man his community remembered. He passed away peacefully on 23 April 2026 and was laid to rest in the United Kingdom. Though he was buried abroad, John’s ties to the BVI remained strong. Through calls, messages and the ongoing presence of friends and family here, he kept the islands close to his heart.
The July memorial is intended not as a final farewell but as a homecoming in spirit—an opportunity for the community that shaped him to honour his life, laugh about the good times and give thanks for the years he spent among them. All who knew John—whether from his hospitality work, his church attendance, or through friends—are welcome to attend and celebrate a life marked by kindness, courage and faith.
Primary source: VINO