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Also in this section:
Bomberos' torchlight parade
American Society diamond anniversary gala
Japanese lend a hand
Lt. Aubrey Wilmont
The Tupper Center's corotu tree comes down
Panama Historical Society

Lt. Aubrey Wilmont

an obituary by Frank Thomas

With deep regreets, word has reached us on the passing of our beloved brother Lt. Aubrey Wilmont.

After a long battle with failing health, Aubrey has passed on to the grace of the Lord, on November 21, 2006.

Aubrey, born and raised in the city of Colon in its golden days, always showed leadership, in his cool and soft spoken manner. He pioneered softball tournaments, which started with his group who were called "Los Corsarios" of 4th St. and Broadway, which also formed a comparsa for Carnival festivities.

In the 1950s, the US Army needed fighters for the Korean war and he enlisted along with other locals. Fight he did --- he was actually a combat war veteran. He almost never spoke of his army days, except for once when we insisted, he mentioned some of his experiences to us at Coco Solito Fire Station.

On returning to Panama, he was part of another pioneerig group. In 1954 the US Navy in Panama decided to hire civilian firefighters to replace the enlisted crew. They were lucky and happy to hire men like Aubrey, who were actually the men who opened the doors for other and all the changes in the Canal Zone labor system.

They were the barrier breakers. A congressional order in 1956 made it possible for another step in the stairwell of changes, which was the hiring of locals to the Canal Zone Fire Department. The young ones hired after the ordeal were lucky to have guys like Aubrey, who made sure the rookies stayed in line, assisting them in every which way.

Aubrey Wilmont moved up to rank of Lieutenant in the CZFD, no easy task in those days, earned and gained the respect and admiration of all --- all his co-workers, and the community in which he lived.

After retirement he moved to Houston Texas, residing comfortably with his family.

Never forgetting his roots, he returned to Panama and Colon, visiting friends and relatives. A pioneer also of the yearly firefighters’ reunion, always made that a "must" in his planning.

He will be missed by his family, relatives, friends and co-workers.

May his soul rest in peace, en la Gloria de Díos.

Memorial Services were held Saturday November 25, 2006, at the Fairchild Memorial Chapel in Houston, Texas.