Yelesta Scotland

Yelesta Scotland was born on January 24, 1959, to the late Authur Scotland and Eudella Scotland in Liberta Village, Antigua. He was the twelfth of fourteen siblings. He attended Crobbs Cross Primary School and later graduated from The Hill Secondary School. Yelesta went on to become a teacher at Liberta Primary School. He attended the Teachers Training College before moving to the United States. In 1981, he migrated to Boston MA where he earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. He worked in several capacities, the longest being in the restaurant industry as a store manager. Yelesta went on to marry Marlene Fenty in July 1987. They share a daughter, Jessica Fenty-Scotland. After Marlene’s passing, he remarried his current wife, Patricia Henriquez, on December 28, 2022, and the two share a son, Josaih Henriquez Scotland, and a cat named StarWars.

Yelesta was known for his love of Boston sports, mainly the Celtics and the Red Sox. He would even watch the Bruins if they were in the playoffs. He knew these games inside out. He truly enjoyed watching them with his children. He also enjoyed attending sporting events in person when he had the chance, as well as going to a good buffet, discussing American history, apple picking, and cooking. He was a great cook and baker and would make a lot of traditional Caribbean foods. He especially enjoyed cooking for special holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and loved to bake his signature coconut raisin bread. He was not one to enjoy modern music, but around the holidays enjoyed, listening to old Caribbean holiday music.

Yelesta was a very reserved person. He often kept his emotions and worries to himself and did not classically “bother” others. He never complained about anything, and it was never in his nature to cause attention to himself. He was an extremely caring and strong person. He was always willing to give what little he had to help his family if needed, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchild. He took pleasure in celebrating the small things, and he was extremely proud when he became a U.S. citizen in 2022.

Yelesta was preceded in death by his prior wife, Marlene Scotland, and brother Charles (Poto) Scotland of Worcester, MA., sister Laurina Thomas (Daniel) of Frederiksted, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, brother Leroy Thomas of Bathlodge, Antigua, brother Neville (Scottie) Scotland of Cooks Ext., Antigua, and sister Eleaze Scotland of Liberta Village, Antigua. 

Yelesta is survived by his wife Patricia Henriquez, and children Josaih Henriquez and Jessica Fenty-Scotland. Brother Garfield Thomas of Willikies, Antigua; brother Denfield (Bam) Thomas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; sister Eslyn Fletcher of Fort Hill, South Carolina; sister CycilineScotland of New Winthropes, Antigua. Grandchild – Gabriella Miller. Yelesta has numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and Caribbean, including Tendo Wynter-Scotland of Connecticut, Sylvia Yarbough of South Carolina, and Kathleen Fletcher of South Carolina. He was the descendant of the Scotland and Scott Families of Falmouth, Crobbs Cross, and English Harbour Antigua. Yelesta had many more relatives, too numerous to mention. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Yelesta will be, truly missed by his family and loved ones.