Sydney Theodore Roosevelt Best

Best, Sydney Theodore Roosevelt Age 84, a resident of Rio Rancho, NM since 1990 passed away Thursday, February 7, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Best, Jr. and Alice Best (Featherstone); brother, Claude Best. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rothman Vojta-Best; children, Franklyn Best, Michael Best and wife, Glenda, of Austin, TX, Marvyn Best and wife, Pat, of Columbus, GA, Margo Franklin of Brooklyn, NY, Marilyn Best of Brooklyn, NY, Mervyn Best of Irvine, CA, Melvyn Best of Brooklyn, NY, Marcia Best of Brooklyn, NY; siblings, James Best of Trinidad, Joyce Sutherland of Spain, Henry Best of Trinidad, and Barba Best; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad on October 26, 1928. At the age of 15 he left his parents home to live in England to fulfill a promise made to his maternal grandfather during WWII, 1944-1945, and joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 16. Sydney enlisted into the Trinidad Fire Services in Trinidad in 1952 and attained the rank of Station Third Officer (STO) specializing as a Para-Medical Officer and Fire Prevention Officer; in 1968, he retired from the Fires Services and migrated to the United States. Sydney was a computer operator at the Chemical Bank on Wall Street from 1968 until his retirement and subsequent move to New Mexico in 1990, where he was appointed Artistic Director of the Southwest American Playwrights Lab, where he was a Director of the Flegiva Theatre in the Park in Albuquerque; President of Artists United for African-American Culture; founding member and President of "Friends of Many Cultures" and Executive Director of Academy Ridge Neighborhood Association; he was Cofounder and Artistic Director of Communi-Culture Performing Arts Association. In New Mexico he was Minority Comity Chairman with the Screen Actors Guild. Sydney was also founder of Trinidad Theatre Ensemble. He received a certificate in Bookkeeping from County Commercial College in Wednesbury Shropshire England in 1948. He enjoyed Caribbean Steal Drums, loved to travel and attend theatre productions and concerts. Sydney began his acting career at the age of 19 as an extra Egyptian soldier in the movie, "Caesar and Cleopatra." Later, he became a member of the "Company of Players, The Strolling Players," and, also became a member of the Light Operatic Society and landed the role of Atba the Merchant in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Chui Chin Chows," and later met Derek Walcott and they formed the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. He also formed a theatre group and performed in several episodes of Law & Order. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the Sara Road Chapel with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 pm in the Sara Parlor, Friday, February 15, 2013 at Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 16, 2013 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2903 - 19th Avenue SE, Rio Rancho, NM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Sydney's name to the Alzheimer's Association at 866-965-1211, 9500 Montgomery Boulevard, NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, NM 87111 or to VistaCare Hospice at 505-821-5404, 5600 Wyoming Boulevard NE, Suite 10, Albuquerque, NM 87109. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920