Bunting, balloons and best wishes flooded St. Eustatius Auxiliary Home Foundation last Friday to celebrate the 96th birthday of Sinclair Berkel. He is best known on the island for being one who cultivated sugar cane, potatoes and fruit trees.
He is not the oldest male resident of the Home. That privilege is enjoyed by William “Uncle Bill” Euston who turned 100 earlier this year. Aside from some troublesome cataracts that impair his eyesight, Berkel seems to be fit. “He has survived two wives by thirty years each,” his niece Cynthia Berkel joked with birthday guests.
