Mr. Rex Crighton was among the recipients of the Department of Children and Family Services Child Month award.
The plaque recognised Mr. Crighton and his family for the joy they have given to children and their families in the Cayman Islands for more than 30 years, says a press release from the Ministry.
‘It is quite fitting that this distinguished gentleman is being honoured by the Department of Children and Family Services … for his benevolent gesture that has brought so much happiness to the people of Grand Cayman,’ said Director of Children and Family Services Deanna Look Loy.
Back in the ’70s Mr. Rex and Mrs. Cecile Crighton began decorating their yard for their children, Thora, Dale and Tammy. At first it was just a string of lights, just like most folks hang at Christmas. The couple and their children later moved to Spotts.
The idea to expand the decorating was born because their new home had more yard space. Since then, the Crightons have added scene after scene, spanning from angels celebrating Jesus’ birth to Santa Claus’s house and workshop to animated dancing bears.
This magical wonderland has hundreds of animated figurines, 23 scenes and more than a million coloured lights.
Transforming the Crighton yard takes six to eight weeks for a crew of eight to 10, working mainly at night and on weekends. The Crighton women – Miss Cecile, Thora and Tammy – prepare the various scenes. Mr. Rex and Dale, along with a crew of men, work on the lights.
‘Depending on the weather, it normally takes four nights with four CUC people plus our employees working to finish the large trees,’ Mrs. Crighton explained.
So why continue?
‘The children and people of the Island look forward to the lights, and it has become a Christmas tradition. It is a lot of work, but when it is finished and we see the joy on the children’s faces it makes the effort worthwhile.’
Mrs. Crighton continued, ‘It is our way of giving back to the community. It is the true spirit of Christmas. It is our way of giving of ourselves, our time and money to bring joy and happiness to others during the Christmas season.’ The Crightons also go an extra step and invite Santa, who gives away several hundred presents each year.
Despite his home and yard being ravished by Hurricane Ivan, Mr. Rex still managed to continue the tradition.
In his usual spirit of altruism, Mr. Crighton said that the award should be split amongst his family: ‘In all fairness, this award should have really gone to my wife, since she is the one who has taken these annual events to such great proportions, and she continues to add attractions each year.
‘It is the magic of Christmas, and I would like to thank the Department for thinking of me and my family.’
Mr. Rex Crighton, a well-known realtor, property developer and son of the soil, was the founding president of the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers’ Association. In 1995 he won the CIREBA award for Outstanding and Dedicated Contributions to Real Estate Development in the Cayman Islands. He brought his expertise to the charitable sector as president of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central. In addition, Mr. Crighton is a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Special Police Constabulary. He was a member of the Protection Board for eight years.
Mr. Rex was born 6 November, 1933. He was educated at the Cayman Islands Government School. He later attended the Merchant Marine Engineering School in New York, where he received a certificate in marine engineering, which gave him the tools to embark on his career as a seaman in the 1950s.
After his eight-year stint at sea, he returned to Cayman where he became director of Caribbean Furniture Company, the island’s first furniture company to offer financing terms. He was also partnered with the late Mr. Jim Bodden (Cayman’s first National Hero) on several development projects including Prospect Park, Omega Bay Estates, Caribbean Motors and Sun Isle Insurance Company.
In is spare time, he enjoys fishing, reading about current affairs and spending time with his four grandchildren, Ciara, Conor, Landon and Krista.
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