Staunch local arts and culture advocate Morgan DaCosta passed away on Sunday morning.
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation Board member and King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour recipient died at his home at the age of 57.
DaCosta’s family issued a short statement to the Cayman Compass on Sunday announcing his death.
“Family, Friends and the Community of Savannah and Newlands and The Greater Cayman Islands, regrettably, we have sad and shocking news this morning. Our Dear Son of the Soil, Morgan DaCosta passed away earlier this morning. We ask that the privacy of the family be respected at this time,” it said.
His cousin attorney, Waide DaCosta, said everything happened suddenly.
“He was found laying on the floor and was unresponsive to the EMTs,” Waide said in a short interview.
DaCosta’s death is another blow for the community, having lost Caymanian tourism and diving legend Kent Eldemire last week and Coldwell Banker Cayman Islands Realty owner and co-founder of the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association JC Calhoun earlier this month.
The well-known and well-loved Morgan DaCosta had been with the CNCF since 1996.
He was recognised for his work and his passion for preserving Caymanian culture at this year’s King’s New Year’s honours.
In learning of the honour, DaCosta, as humble he was, had expressed deep emotion over the accolade.
“I was just simply doing what I believe was for the love of country more than anything else and the preservation and perpetuation of the Cayman Islands culture, through the Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation,” he told the Compass in a previous interview, which demonstrated his love for Caymanian culture and tradition.
His family was also well known in the business community and were behind the Maedac Group of companies.
His brother, Gene DaCosta, is Cayman’s representative for financial services in the UK/EU, and in Asia.
The news of DaCosta’s death has hit the Cayman cultural community hard.
Local playwright and comedian Matt Brown expressed sadness at DaCosta’s passing.
“Morgan was always someone who valued meaningful conversation. He exemplified the balance between business and art, demonstrating that one can be deeply involved in both. His significant contributions to the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, along with his standout performances in the legacy of ‘Rundown’ will remain in my memory. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family,” Brown told the Compass in a statement.
A CNCF profile on DaCosta from 2018 noted that the entrepreneur “had been entertaining audiences for many years, starting at home in front of his family and friends, then moving on to acting in plays at St Ignatius Catholic School and later in high school with Geoff Cresswell”.
He joined the cast of the popular play Rundown in 1995 and was an active member up until 2008.
In 1997 Morgan joined the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) Board.
“Since then, he has greatly impacted the preservation and development of arts and culture in the Cayman Islands by personally participating in, promoting and defending the culture of the Cayman Islands and the work of the CNCF,” the profile stated.
As an active and proactive member of the Board for 21 years, the profile stated that DaCosta had served with dedication and responsibility in the dual roles of Deputy Chairman/Treasurer as well as Chairman of the Grants and Awards Committee.
“He was a consistent and reliable volunteer both on stage and at the Front of House for official functions, events and cultural exchange programmes,” it stated.
DaCosta was a part of the CoDAC Savannah Community Group which helped with the Pirates Week District Day and various other community outreach programmes.
A past President of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce (2006), he had served as Chairperson for Native Sons and assisted them in organising several of their shows in the early days. He has been involved in taking culture into the schools through ‘Pass It On’ and had been a staunch advocate for the arts and culture in the Cayman Islands.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
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