Alton Brown was known to family and friends as “Neil”

• Pragmatic
  
• Practical
• Logical
• Brilliant
• Fun Loving
• Disciplined
• Extremely Focused
• Loving
• Respectful
• Feisty
• Very Reasonable
• Dependable
• Decisive

Just some of the words I have always used to describe my dear cousin Neil (Alton Brown).

He was one of two of my closest cousins in the community of Red Hills, who, while I was growing up, had the balls to go and ask Miss Pat (my mother) permission for me to attend community events.

Neil always saw the exuberant, vivacious, exciting, energetic and sometimes overzealous me, as beautiful. I recall the pride in his eyes as he watched me prance and perform on stage at the varying community concerts. He was most times the head cook and bottle washer.

Neil took me to my first stage show in New York. Naki Saki, Rodigan and Kilamanjaro sound clash. We stood out in the cold in the longest line for hours to get in, and while he was not the best dancer, he knew how to enjoy himself and he facilitated me and all that came with this package, always with a cheeky smile.

Many barbecues for 4th of July were celebrated with Neil and His friends where he actually allowed me to behave like I knew what I was doing with the stuffed roast fish… my hand cyaaah season like fi him own. Jeeeezassss what a man could a cook noiceee. It was my greatest joy to get to NYC for the 4th of July weekend because I knew for certain that the all white boat ride party would be a staple on the party agenda.

Neil never left me stranded. While at Air Jamaica I landed in NYC with a severe case of chicken pox and could not return to Jamaica for three weeks. Neil came to my rescue took me home and nursed me back to health.

As it relates to my children, the adults. Uncle Neil was the saving grace. Gina referred to him as a father figure, citing that he had earned the title of the world’s best dad, since my own father passed away in 2017. The awesomeness of Neil when it came to his duties as girl dad to Sydney knew no bounds. His gentle but thought-provoking encouragement while Gina went through a very hard time last year is forever etched in her mind. He became her counselor, and his check-ins held great value.

I didn’t make it to NYC in 2024 but the last time I saw Neil in August 2023, holds beautiful memories for me. My cousin Neil, as busy as he was, planned a day out in Manhattan just for me. We went to the Pier at the Hudson Yard for a blues concert, another pier for a hip-hop party, then walked the promenade to look at the NYC skyline and at the end of the night, bought and ate cheesecake from Junior’s.

My sweet cousin has departed this life with all my secrets… I could tell him everything, all when mi shame like dawwgggg… and he would listen, with no judgement and if he had to put me in my place, he would.

Hey, Neil knew that anybody faaaas wid him, I would fight them for him. He had to always talk me down off that soap box.

I loved my cousin and he loved me back just as fiercely.

My last message to him was on Sunday December 22, 2024 and his simple response was GM. He had given me a brief synopsis of his illness the day before stating that he was putting his affairs in order. He was practical and pragmatic right to the very end.

Sleep in perfect peace my darling Neil. You left this earth knowing for certain that you were Loved and Appreciated.