The Tribune

Carlton Dwayne “CJ” Cartwright Jr, 11, was laid to rest in Long Island on Saturday as family, friends and well-wishers from the community gathered to say goodbye to the young boy for the last time.

Carlton was buried in an independence themed coffin in the cemetery of Holy Family Anglican Church in Mortimer’s, Long Island. His burial came less than three weeks after he died of an asthma attack and less than five weeks after he performed “March on, Bahamaland” during a flag raising ceremony in Long Island on June 10, 2013.

According to church catechist, Maxwell Knowles, the ceremony began at 10am and was attended by 250 to 300 persons. Father Sebastian Campbell, Father Jonathon Archer, Father Chester Burton and Father Douglas of St Johns Anglican Church presided over the service.

“It was a full house,” said Mr Knowles. “It was a very emotional service. I didn’t know the young man personally, but you could see from the number of people that attended the service that he was a very beloved person.”

Carlton’s father, Carlton Cartwright Jr, said he was overwhelmed both by the support he has received after his son’s death and by the participation in the funeral ceremony of members from the Bahamas police and defence forces.

“The guys who hoisted the flag came back and put on something of a military funeral,” said Mr Cartwright, referring to Constable Gilbert Knowles of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Petty Officer Gladstone Moss of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force who raised the flag in Long Island during a flag raising ceremony on June 10th as young Carlton sang the national anthem.

Carlton’s mother, Nicole Cartwright, added: “The officers were the pall bearers. As the casket was coming out of the funeral, they performed as though they were at a state funeral. I was overwhelmed with the semi-military kind of style with which they performed.”

“The service was beautiful and truly emotional,” she said, adding: “I truly would like to thank the Bahamas.”

Mr Cartwright isn’t surprised by the reaction his son’s death has received because he “knew the kind of kid” he was raising.

“I just was proud what I taught him at home he could take out of the home and be an overall good kid,” he said.

As for those who attended the funeral service for his son, Mr Cartwright said: “Some people I knew and some people I didn’t know. It touched a lot of people’s hearts. The island in general came to support.”

Thanks were given to Randy Butler, of Skybahamas, for providing travel to the funeral for grieving family members.