Obituary of John Seales

On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, John R. Seales, husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend passed away at the age of 79. John will be forever remembered. John was born on October 21, 1941 to Rupert and Zuleika Seales in Beterverwagting, Guyana. John, along with his six brothers and three sisters, lived in extreme poverty. However, he always knew he would find a way to a better life for himself and his family. At the age of 14, his parents separated, and the family moved to the city of Georgetown, Guyana. Because he had to help his mother and siblings, John dropped out of secondary school and found employment with some of the most prominent attorneys in Guyana. With the support of his friends and family, John eventually completed secondary school, and became a member of the Guyana police force serving in the special reserved unit. He later joined the Guyana prison service as an officer and counselor. John credits much of his success during this time to mentorship from Margaret “Baby” Ackman, Chief Whip in the Burnham regime. In 1968, John migrated to the United States on a student visa. He later found employment at Park Nursing Home as a housekeeping employee. An administrator saw John’s potential and promoted him to the roles of Certified Nursing Assistant and Recreation Assistant. A few months later, John took on a second job at Park Terrace Care Center where he met his wife Beatrice who was a Licensed Practical Nurse. While working at the nursing homes, John recognized the poor representation by the union and took on the responsibility of representing workers on grievances. John eventually became a union delegate in both facilities. During this time, John attended Empire State College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations. He wrote his thesis on Political Development in the Caribbean and Latin America and the role of Labor Organizations. He would later complete his Master of Science Degree in Labor Studies from Long Island University. In 1988, John was hired as a business representative for Local 1115. After two years, he was appointed as regional director, and was later elected as the secretary treasurer. John rose in the ranks and eventually held the position of Vice President for 1199 Service Employees International Union, where he represented workers in the Nursing Home division of the Union. He retired from 1199 in 2015. John’s passion for service and helping those who are less fortunate motivated him to engage in various charitable and civic endeavors. He served as the President for the Organization for the Probation and Progress of Guyanese in USA, President for the New York Chapter African American Caucus in the Service Employees International Union, and President of the Salvation Army Foster care unit in Nassau County. John and Beatrice were foster parents for numerous children and hosted many other individuals who were trying to start a new life in the United States. In addition, John provided education and financial assistance such as computers, books, and food to twenty-five underprivileged children in Guyana, and managed a summer program where he assisted students in finding employment in New York healthcare facilities. John will be remembered for his jovial spirit, wise counsel, political acumen, sense of humor, culinary expertise, civic engagement, love of music, dance, and culture, and immense generosity. He cherished his family and friends and leaves behind a legacy that will live through all of them. From Guyana to Ghana, Roosevelt to Brooklyn, near and far, the life of John Seales truly made a difference in this world. John is survived by his wife Beatrice, sons, Colin and Nick, daughter, Naa-Solo, honorary daughter, Ann, grandchildren Kya, Serayah, and Christopher, siblings, Cicely, Dutson, Taylor, Wilbert, Nathaniel, and Hooper, numerous, nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, friends, and colleagues. He is preceded in death by his son Mark, parents, Rupert and Zuleika, siblings, Patrick, Eric, Ruby, Norma, Lena May, Winston, and Leslie.