Capt Marvin dies after a lifetime on the sea
(CNS): One of Cayman’s best known tourism pioneers, Captain Charles Marvin Ebanks, died at the age of 98 on Saturday, having operated his local tour company for more than sixty years. He started his career on the sea in the turtling industry when he was still a teenager. Then in the 1950s he began taking tourists to Stingray City on a borrowed boat and was still taking guests out on one of his vessels well into his 90s. As well as being an ambassador for the country’s tourism sector, he made a significant contribution to local culture. Last year he was awarded the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s highest honour, the Gold Heritage Cross.
He is survived by his 15 children, 33 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, and he also lived to see one great-great grandchild.
The funeral service for Capt Marvin has been delayed in order to accommodate the numerous overseas guests as well as the many locals expected to attend and will take place on the afternoon of Saturday 3 January at the Wesleyan Holiness Church in West Bay.
Category: Local News
Thank you Capt Marvin for your immense contribution to our beloved islands. My condolences to all family and friends. May God comfort each an every one of you at this time.
What a lot of people don't know about this man is, that he suffered greatly from back pain over the years. In fact I think it was due to an operation he had in the late 1950s. Yet with all the pain and discomfort [being very visible] in the slight forward bend he had when standing. He "notwithstanding the obvious discomfort" continued to do what he obviously must have felt was a duty to his family and those who depended on him, be they those he employed or the visiting tourists he took on tours. Yet I can't ever remember hearing him complain about the pain he sometimes suffered.
You were an Iron Man Uncle Marvin, and we can only hope that those with whom you came in contact with will have taken a lesson in your "sticktoitiveness" and realized how important it is to never give up on one's dreams, and to learn to love whatever you do for a living in spite of a few discomforts in life.
I'm so honored to have known you and as suggested by others there should be a very special civic award given you for your years of dedication to tourism in the Cayman islands.
"HERO" seems like a good place to start.
To all the family I pray that God's grace and blessings surround you and be with you at this time.
R I P Capt.Marvin I remember meeting you many years ago when you invited me to your house on many occasions.A true Cayman Pioneer in the Watersports Industry.God speed my friend You will not be forgotten.
I remember taking one trip on his boat with a group of friends. He was very dedicated to making sure that everyone was safe and had an enjoyable trip. I could see that he really enjoyed what he was doing and loved the sea.
A gentleman and a scholar, a man of God, family and country. I have known Capt. Marvin all my life and will truly miss him. RIP Capt. Marvin thanks fo everything you were a great man and Caymanian
I only hope they honor this great man in Heros square. He will always be remembered as a Cayman legend.
RIP sir.
RD
What a man! What a great man he was! To know him was to love him! Cayman has lost an iconic person. Hope he is never forgotten. Rest in Peace Captain Marvin.
Sad to here.
RIP my friend, you may now be with your sweet beloved wife Ms. Anna. You were both great caymanians and pioneers. Love your fellow west bayer
As a founder of Stingray City and for his pioneering efforts in marine ecotravel, I hope that Captain Marvin Ebanks' name is put forth for a suitably fitting posthumous honour: a modest statue of tribute, plaque and/or garden at Safehaven Dock, or perhaps he should be proposed for induction into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2015. We should honour those that have nourtured the pillar that is our marine tourism industry.
Who the heck gave this response the thumbs down. Captain Marvin was a true Gentleman and Cayman Pioneer. Just an opinion from an old Paper Caymanian who was fortunate to arrive in dem good ole days in 1968. Rest in peace Captain.
Iron man from the days of wooden ships! A watersports pioneer and true Caymanian seafarer. His legacy is the North Sound watersports industry and hopefully the Caymanians remaining in that industry will honour his legacy and hold fast. Please don't let that become like the dive industry – pioneered by Caymanians then largely taken over.
RIP Capt. Marvin
To All the extended family of Capt. Marvin we want to offer you our most Sincere Condolences. You may comfort yourselves that he lived a great Life and was a man that knew God. Rest in Peace Capt. Marvin, we shall always remember you and tell our young grandchildren what a true Caymanian Pionner you were. Doris, Michel and the Lemay Family
RIP old capt. men like your generation are no longer to be found.