Lionel Allan Edward

Lionel Allan Edward was born on May 29th, 1953 in the town of Skeldon, in the Province of Berbice, in the Country of Guyana, then known as British Guiana. To most, he was known as Allan. 

Lionel was the youngest of Basil and Joyce Veeramallay’s ten children, and was very much the baby of the family. 

All the way up to his final days, he had fond childhood memories of going to the market with his mother, known in the community as “Lady Jo”, being adored and pampered by his six sisters Eileen, Rohoni, Evadney, Rita, Amber, and Ruth, playing with his older brother Charlie and his nephew Neil, and learning from his two older brothers Arvo and Stanley, and witnessing the legendary tales of his father, Basil Edward Veeramallay, known as “Big Jo”, unfold before his eyes. 

Lionel grew up in a modest and devout Christian household, where the values of hard work, humility, and education shaped who he would be throughout his life. 

He graduated from Skeldon Government High School in 1970. Shortly after graduation, he became a student teacher at Skeldon Primary School. 

He went on to apprentice as an electrician at the local sugar cane factory, where his father was the mid-shift manager. 

Later he moved to Rupununi, in southern Guyana, with his older brother Arvo, to a ranch, where he worked as a cowboy, or vaquero. 

Eventually, his brother Charles sponsored him to come to the United States, and his American story began in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. 

It didn't take long for Lionel to carve out a spot for himself in Boston, as a young and ambitious eligible bachelor. 

In time, he settled down and married his first wife Joanne Edward. Together they had three children: Nerissa, Charlie, and Amber, during their ten-year marriage. 

He would go on to marry his second wife Amy Edward, in whom he found a kindred spirit and close confidante for the rest of his life. 

Lionel was truly a jack of all trades. Some of his jobs and titles included: maintenance man, tech support at a Sears call center for appliance repair, construction, warehouse manager, and countless others. 

The majority of his time was spent as a Yellow Cab driver, for several years in Boston, and for twenty years in Dallas, where he became "The Legendary 505". 

Despite the countless jobs and titles Lionel was given, his true occupations were Jedi Master, Wizard, and Psychonaut. 

Lionel had a passion for music, history, and exploring the deep mysteries of our world. 

In his final years, Lionel lived with his daughter Amber and his son-in-law Chris.

He was often surrounded by his grandchildren Zaire, Ace, and Diana.

He frequently said he was in Nirvana during this final chapter of his life. 

Lionel had a close bond with all of his nephews and nieces, who number in the dozens. He was dearly beloved by them all. Each of them has cherished memories of their kind and loving Uncle. 

Lionel was a true free spirit and free thinker and often described himself as a gypsy and a rolling stone. 

He was a gentle soul with an amazing life story that spanned two continents, and which could fill two bookshelves. 

He loved his children and family with everything he had. 

To all who knew him, he was a beacon of humility, kindness, wisdom, joy, and honesty. His uniqueness was only matched by genuineness. 

He is preceded in passing by his father, Basil Veeramallay; his mother, Joyce Veeramallay; his sisters - Eileen Balgobin, Rohoni Khadim, Ruthell Klonaris, and Evadney Roome; and his brother Charles Mallay. 

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Amy Edward; his children - Nerissa Edward, Allan Edward, Sr., Amber Edward, and Kayla Molner; his son-in-law, Chris Foster; his daughter-in-law, Jinny George; his stepdaughters, Aena and Aimee Villafria; his sisters; Rowena Wooe-Chung and Amber Hatton; his brothers, Arvo and Stanley Mallay; his grandchildren - Zaire Foster, Allan Edward, Jr., and Diana Edward; and a host of nephews and nieces.

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