The island’s cultural community joined grieving relatives and friends on Thursday, May 21, to celebrate the life and legacy of legendary artisan Dylan Pitcairn, whose work helped shape the island’s modern Carnival traditions.
Pitcairn, renowned for his artistic creativity, costume designs and mentorship within the Carnival fraternity, was remembered as a generous soul, an inspirational figure and a cultural pioneer whose influence stretched far beyond the festival stage.
Only weeks before his passing, Pitcairn had been honored with a Lucian Carnival Legend award in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the development of Saint Lucia’s Carnival sector.
During the funeral service, emotional tributes highlighted not only his artistic achievements but also the kindness and encouragement he extended to countless people throughout his life.
Friend of the deceased, Michael William, reflected on Pitcairn’s generosity and willingness to help others without expecting anything in return.
“I witnessed him many, many times handing out money to people who were in dire straits. He never, ever wanted anything in return,” William said.
“He had a big heart. A giver who couldn’t help himself,” he added.
William also spoke of the admiration he had for Pitcairn from a young age and the impact he had on those around him.
“There was a picture of him at the spots, and I looked at it and saying to myself, I want to be that guy,” he recalled.
Pitcairn’s brother, Collin Weekes, shared memories of the deceased’s influence on his own life, particularly during their years at the St Mary’s College.
“As Mike said, he was the house captain of Tapon House. When I got into college, I got into Tapon House,” Weekes stated.
“He ran the one, the two and the four meter for Tapon. I medaled in the one, the two, I didn’t medal in the four for Tapon. I ran for the school. So I’m just saying that his influence was great on me,” he added.
Pitcairn’s daughter, Tessa St. Louis, delivered an emotional tribute describing her father as the center of her world and someone she deeply admired.
“And my dad is like my whole heart,” she said tearfully. “I just wanted to be everything like him. I just admired him and everything he stood for. And I will miss him so much,” St. Louis added.
Leading the service, Reverend Christian Glasgow sought to comfort mourners by reminding them of the Christian hope surrounding death and eternal life.
“As you come to terms with the reality that this one who has left such an indelible mark on your life is no longer here with you physically, it is for us as Christians, however, that as we struggle with this particular experience, that we do so in the faith, the hope and the trust and the assurance of the Christian faith as grounded in God through Jesus Christ,” Reverend Glasgow stated.
“For it is our faith, it is our belief, it is our trust that death is not the end of all things,” he added.
Pitcairn leaves behind a lasting legacy within Saint Lucia’s cultural landscape, with many crediting his artistry, leadership and mentorship for helping to elevate Carnival into one of the island’s premier cultural expressions.