Goberdhan Persaud

Our family lost a pillar on January 11, 2022; Goberdhan Persaud, of Queens, New York, peacefully passed away at the age of 89.

Goberdhan Persaud, fondly known as “Tobacco Man” or “Sailor Boy”, was born on December 18, 1933 to Jagnanan and Budhai Adhin. He grew up in the quiet New Road countryside in the West Coast Demerara, Guyana.

Goberdhan left school at a very young age to begin working at Continental Biscuit Factory on Georgetown, Guyana.

In 1958, at the age of 25, he went to Berbice county to meet Ramkumari Sookhra, known as Cleven. Goberdhan and Ramkumari got married on January 10, 1959. They were blessed with four amazing children; the late Chatterpaul; Sahadeo, known as Same to all; Prakash, known as Sham to many; and the youngest Taramattie, known to most as Annie.

He was a prominent and successful businessman. By the age of 37, Sailor Boy had purchased a stall on Stabroek Market in 1960 where he sold tobacco which became a very lucrative business. Overtime, Sailor Boy went into rice and sugar farming having acquired some acres of land. He unselfishly supported his community, family, and anyone in need. His kindhearted soul will be dearly missed but his legend will always be remembered.

Goberdhan was reluctant to retire and leave Guyana, but he eventually migrated to Queens, New York in 2014, where he resided with his son, Prakash until his passing. Goberdhan is predeceased by his son, Chatterpaul; his wife, Ramkumari; and his siblings Chatterpaul, Indar, Data, and Doonauth. He is survived by his three children Samo and his wife Seeorojnie, Sham and, his wife Donna, Annie and her husband Ramjit; his eight grandchildren Angelisa, Christina, Amrita, Ian, Joy-Anne, Anil, Nicole, and Lianne; and one great-grandson, Liam.

The Viewing will be held at R.Stutzman & Son Funeral Home on Monday evening, January 17th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held the following day, Tuesday, January 18th at 9:00a.m. followed by Cremation at 12:00 noon.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rstutzmannandsonfuneralhome.com for the Persaud family.