March 9, 2005 – James Cedric "Ceddie" Canegata, one of the founding members of the Gentlemen of Jones, died at his home on March 4. He was 86. Canegata was born in Christiansted, St. Croix on Sept. 8, 1918. He was the first of eight children born to Dr. David C. and Beryl Canegata.
At the age of 12, he left St. Croix to attend school in Antigua. He returned to St. Croix where he began his professional life in the electrical field, starting in the 1930’s with the Virgin Islands Company. After a stint with VICORP, he started his own business, Canegata Electric. In the early 1970’s he began working with WAPA and stayed until his retirement. After his retirement, he continued his involvement with WAPA as a member of their board of directors.
"Ceddie" was involved with the Masonic Brotherhood, where he was a member of the Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Shriners and spent a lot of time working with the Gentlemen of Jones. Some of his favorite pastimes were cricket, golf and darts.
He is survived by his loving companion, Helen C. Mattice; son: James C. Canegata Jr.; daughters: Eirene Canegata, Leah West and Karen Parris; grandchildren: Craig Canegata, Jonathan Coggin, Alfred III and Kia West, James C. Canegata III, Tiffany and Ernest Parris II,; brother: David C. Canegata; sisters: Claire G. Motta and Melba B. Biggs; brother-in-law: Sylvester O. McDonald, MD,; sisters-in-law: Carmen Canegata; son-in-law: Ernest L. Parris, Jr.; daughter-in-law: Rachael Isaac-Canegata; special friends: Lois Canegata, Ignacio L. Llanos Sr., and Jose P. Encarnacion.
Funeral services will be on Friday, March 11 at St. John’s Anglican Church at 10 a.m. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. interment will follow at the Christiansted cemetery.