We regret to inform you of the passing of The Rev. Canon Cecil A. Scantlebury. He departed this life on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, in the comfort of his home and family.
On June 11, 1955, The Rev. Canon Cecil A. Scantlebury was ordained to the priesthood upon completing his training at Codrington College, Barbados, the oldest seminary in the Western Hemisphere. At the age of 23, he was the youngest graduate of this Anglican seminary. He was immediately sent to Guyana, South America, to serve as Curate of St. Philip’s Church in Georgetown, the capital. He spent six years there, moving on to other churches and becoming involved in a number of community projects, some of which included serving on the Board of Directors of the YMCA Boy’s Club, serving as probation officer for the Diocese of Guyana, and conducting a monthly radio broadcast for the Christian Social Council of Guyana. While in Guyana, two altar boys found in Canon Scantlebury the role model that inspired them to become priests. They subsequently became archdeacons. Also, encouraged by Canon Scantlebury were two older church members who became priests after retiring from the secular jobs.
Canon Scantlebury came to the United States in l961 and joined the staff, as Curate, at St. Andrew’s Church, New York City. During his tenure there, he was a member of the Christian Education Committee of the Diocese of New York. He also directed a summer day camp at the church for the City of New York.
In 1969, Canon Scantlebury moved to White Plains to be the Vicar of St. Francis and St. Martha’s Episcopal Church, and became its first Rector in 1977, when it achieved parish status. During his 34 years at this church, Canon Scantlebury became very involved in a variety of community affairs and embraced persons of different religious denominations. He was affectionately called “the people’s priest”. Recognized for his firm commitment to addressing the many social issues, Canon Scantlebury was frequently called upon by the clergy, government officials and civic groups to speak on matters affecting the poor, the homeless and victims of injustice. On April 23, 1998 he was the guest speaker at the first interfaith holocaust memorial service in White Plains. In February 2003 he was selected to join the late Ossie Davis and others to speak at a rally in White Plains against the war in Iraq. Through his many letters to the local press and television appearances, Canon Scantlebury addressed many of these issues. Some persons, upon meeting him for the first time, have remarked, “So you are the priest who writes all those letters. Keep it up.”
In 1984 Canon Scantlebury was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo to the New York State Human Rights Advisory Council and served as chairman of its education committee.
Canon Scantlebury’s recommendation to invite Habitat for Humanity to come to Westchester County met with the approval of his fellow clergy in the Ministerial Council of White Plains. As a result, some houses have been built by this great organization in Westchester where there is an acute shortage of low income housing.
Over the years, Canon Scantlebury encouraged his congregation to respond to the needs of persons in distress, and his church collected money and goods to help whenever and wherever possible. This has included sending financial aid at Christmas time through a local Baptist Church to the Town of Princeville, N.C. that was literally washed away by floods in 1999. His church was also a major participant in sending two containers of supplies to the people of Sierre Leone during the civil war there.
As a loyal and faithful member of the Black Caucus of the Diocese of New York, and the Union of Black Episcopalians, Canon Scantlebury faithfully attended meetings, and consistently voiced his opinions about the racial injustices in the church and society. He was the author of a resolution calling for mandatory anti-racism training for clergy and laity in the Diocese of New York, and in the entire Episcopal Church. This requirement is now in place.
Canon Scantlebury served on the Boards of a variety of organizations, and was also a member of the Diocesan Council. His longest tenure -- over 30 years -- was that as President of the Board of the Westchester Community Opportunity Program, a model organization that has done outstanding work with after-school programs, foster grand parents, drug rehabilitation and many other services to many in Rockland, Putnam and Duchess Counties.
At the 1998 Diocesan Convention, Canon Scantlebury was one of the first three priests in the New York Diocese to be inducted into the Order of St. John the Theologian by Bishop Richard Grein, who commended them for their “exemplary pastoral care.” On November, 2, 2003, Bishop Mark Sisk made him a Perpetual Canon in the Diocese of New York, the highest honor a priest can attain.
Canon Scantlebury was the recipient of many awards and honors for his work from church, government and community group. Some of these were the Service Award from The Black Clergy of New York, of which he is a member; Distinguished Service Award from the NAACP, of which he has been a member of the executive board for many years; The Black Women’s Political Caucus for his service to the Town of Greenburgh; the Westchester County Board of Legislators; The Dr. Herbert G. Cave Award for outstanding service to the community; The City of Yonkers Man of the Year Award given at the luncheon of The Negro Business and Professional Women’s annual luncheon; proclamations and service awards from the Town of Greenburgh, and the County of Westchester; the African Caribbean Friends for outstanding service to the community; and from First Community Church of the Nazarene for distinguished Christian service to the church and the larger community. At his retirement luncheon he was presented with the prestigious Medal of Westchester County, by the County’s Board of Legislators.
One of the greatest achievements of Canon Scantlebury’s ministry was realizing his dream of renovating and expanding St. Francis and St. Martha’s Church. Today, this church stands as a magnificent symbol of sincere determination and a shining beacon of hope and faith in God’s guidance. At his retirement, one of his heart’s desires was realized when a 50-voice ecumenical choir sang some of the music he had spent a number of years composing, and from which a CD was made. This service was also attended by clergy from many different religious denominations.
Canon Scantlebury held a degree in Sociology from the City University of New York, and was a certified counselor trained at the Foundation for Religion and Mental Health. His hobbies were furniture making and chair caning. He enjoyed playing the organ and piano and composed music for both. He wrote the music for the mass for Rite II which was sung on Sundays at St. Francis and St. Martha’s Church. His studies in Latin and Greek, Hebrew, French and German gave him a love for words, and he enjoyed doing word games.
Canon Scantlebury is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty; his daughters, Monica and Joy; his brother, Lincoln Scantlebury (Shelley); his sister, Linda Scantlebury; sisters-in-law: Dr. Barbara Scantlebury, and Juliet Scantlebury; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He is predeceased by two brothers, Wycliffe and Emerson Scantlebury, and sister Elayne Scantlebury.
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