The last photo taken of T - Connection as a band prior to Berkley's death. (L-R) Les Falconer,David Mackey, Theo Coakley, Patrick Carey, Kirkwood Coakley, Berkley Vanbyrd Morris, Anthony 'Monks' Flowers, Jr

As members of the T - Connection band, we practiced and recorded in studios countless hours, performed on numerous

With tears in his eyes, Berkley Jr. recalls a story his mom told him of how his dad would pray in the bathroom to God to have a child to have a son. He remarked “You could say that he came into this world on the wings of his dad’s prayers.” Berkley Jr. also took the time to portray a sample conversation that he would have with his dad.

His daughter recounted an incident when Berkley was getting dressed to perform and her mom expressed her doubts as to whether he (Berkley) was going to go out dressed as flamboyantly as he was. Berkley’s response was: “Who’s the entertainer here? Not you! This is how I’m supposed to be; flashy, they know me as Berkley, this is Berkley!”

Fred Ferguson, whose tribute was so thorough that it was noted by others proceeding him said of Berkley; “The last time I saw Berks alive, I sat in his hospital room and spoke to him in length about the challenges of our industry… and even in his weakened state… he still had the same tenacity and was sure that he was going to be released… Whatever his shortcomings were, Berks will be missed by each of us for different reasons. For me he will be missed for his true true friendship, his strong stage presence, his unbelievable vocal range, his belief in fighting for right, and above it all his laugh and personality that made me believe that to his very end… he was ‘Born To Boogie’… The entire text of Fred Ferguson’s dynamic tribute to Berkley can be located HERE.

Raphael Mun nings began with the lyrics of Berkley’s most popular song, At Midnight; “look into my eyes tell me what you see, do you see some possibility?” Ray remarked that those lyrics succinctly describe the disposition of Berkley and noted that he always found Berks to be very vocal, kind and accommodating. Ray, recalls the days when He and T- Connection both had Don Taylor as manager (also managed Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Marvin Gay) and they connected in New York; he wanted to take the band out on the town but Berkley and Monty Brown were the only ones up for it and the grand time they had returning home at 8am in the morning! He wrapped up by encouraging Berkley’s family to be strong and affirmed that his memory will never ever die.

After Raphael Munnings, his brother Freddie Munnings Jr, together with Dion Turnquest on Sax, Sarge Hanna on Drums and Pastor Hanna on Keyboards provided a soulful rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ as tribute.

T Coakley and Berkley at the final concert as T - Connection.

Theo Coakley’s tribute took everyone on a journey of how he met Berks in 1970 through his brother Kirkwood Coakley; When Kirk introduced him he remembers how Berks broke out with his signature laugh and gave him a big hug, “I thought the guy was gonna’ break my ribs” said Theo. The guy (Berks) had unbelievable exuberance.” He recalled Kirk and Berkley practicing Marvin Gay’s Let’s get it on; ‘The drums were so tight …so I said hey let’s talk. Ya’ll are my rhythm section, that’s my rhythm section right there, that’s T-Connection”. The band started with just the three of them and about a month later Kirk brought in Monty Brown to join them. “The thing I remember about Berkley is when we played if you’re down, he’s in the back there (making enthusiastic noises and laughing) that’s Berkley so you can’t be down anymore...and that’s the way he was.”

The band’s first gig was at the Trade Winds, “Peanuts Taylor came and said, Man you guys, you guys have to come and play at The Show Club.” Theo described those times as some of the best. It was during their time at the Show Club when Theo realized that Berkley could sing; “But then I discovered that this guy’s got an amazing voice! Cause this guy was better than Teddy Pendergrass, cause he had more range…Berkley’s range was infinite.” Theo spoke of writing the song “At Midnight” for Berkley… “I didn’t have to worry about what key I wrote the song in…like for me I would say I need to write this in F or Bb or something like that…he would hit those notes, and like someone said he (Berks) doesn’t sing falsetto, every note he hits is open note.

Theo went on to speak of Berks, improvisational abilities, when it came time for Berkley adlib “He’s gotta come up with his own lines…What you hear on the record that’s what he (Berks) came up with instantaneously…this cat was a genius, he was a genius.” Theo said of The Bahamas; “Y’all need to recognize this guy…you need to give him the credit he deserves…he started as a drummer and became a great singer…two different things that he was great at and yet he doesn’t get the credit. So we just need to build up our own and recognize Berkley”.

Theo said of the last concert when Berkley was on crutches “I thought he just hurt his leg, so I was even ribbing him saying, Berkley boy this is a hell of a time to be cripple.” Theo thought Berks just had the minor setback of a sprained leg because Berks never told him what happened. “Even though he was on crutches, he was still blasting “At Midnight” …he was blasting that thing. I really love this guy, the best thing he told me was man I’m glad you were hard on us because we wouldn’t have been the type of group that we became, because we were as good as anybody…when we went to the states we were as good as anybody, there was nobody better than us and Berkley had allot to do with that, because Midnight was one of our biggest records and Berkley did lead on that and Berkley did drums on that…double shot. I’m gonna miss Berkley, Berkley, my friend, I know you’re in heaven playing with that band and I know you got the range so they’re gonna let you sing lead, I want to say I’m gonna miss you man and I love you to death, I love you man Berkley.”

Berkley and Kirk Coakley at the final T - Connection concert.

Kirkwood Coakley explained that he met Berkley when he was about 17 “ and we became inseparable as a matter of fact, I introduced him to everybody. Berkley and I spent like a year in Exuma working out music…I never met anybody who enjoyed life and music as much as Berkley I love the guy dearly…we found a gold mine with this guy (Berks). Kirk shared these words of encouragement to Berkley’s children; “This guy was super talented and one of the best people you’d ever meet in life. So just carry that on in life, just think about your father, somebody who met everybody and everybody felt touched by him.” Typical of Berkley, Kirk remarked that after a show; “We’re looking for him backstage…he’s mingling with the people.”

Additional remarks followed with a Pastor Johnson of Judah Worship Center and others. Unfortunately I missed the meditative solo by Nehemiah Heild, the responsive solo by Veronica Bishop, tribute to the life and times of Berkley by Ace Newbold and Chris Justillien a musical tribute by Linc Scavella and a few other portions of the service…

A creative inspiration came to Rev. T.G. Morrison the pastor of the church who called for musicians to come forward and sing the song that he saw most aptly described Berkley; it was Frank Sinatra’s, I did it my way. Paul Hanna and Ronnie Armbrister sang the vocals and Theo Coakley played Piano along with Chris Justilien and a few others.

Excerpt from Bethel Brothers Morticians website of Berkley's health condition:

On May 18 and 19, 2012, T-Connection took the stage again for the last time as a group of the original members. It was at this time that Berkley was unknowingly experiencing symptoms of his ailment but, he was determined to deliver his signature performance. Berkley always touted “the show must go on!”. The show did go on in Nassau on May 18 and in Freeport on May 19. In Freeport, the only evidence from Berkley’s aches and pain was the crutches that he used to assist him in walking. Both shows were a huge success.

It was shortly after these shows that Berkley was diagnosed with the cancer, multiple myeloma; however, this did not impede his performances at his employment at the Festival Place, Prince George Wharf. His famous words “find a profession you love and you will never work a day in your life” rang true to his heart. Although he was in constant pain, Berkley looked forward to and was always extremely anxious to return to work.

On August 13, 2012, Berkley was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department at the Princess Margaret Hospital due to complications he was experiencing as a result of the cancer. Berkley remained in the Trauma Section until August 15 when he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital. Berkley remained in I.C.U. until August 22 when he was transferred to the Private Medical Ward. While on this Ward, Berkley was also diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Berkley was deeply touched by the support showed by his visitors and well wishers.

Berkley showed great signs of progress and on September 19, he was discharged and went home.

On October 11, 2012, Berkley was readmitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital. Days later, on October 17, 2012 at 10:45 p.m., Berkley was obedient to the clarion call we all must hear and passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord.

January 6, 1953 to October 17, 2012 at 10:45 p.m - Farewell Berkley, rest in peace my good friend we will always remember you and the way you touched our lives.

For pictures from Berkley's funeral please view his obituary HERE.

Berkley and Dave Mackey just about to go on stage to perform what would be the final T - Connection concert with Berkly prior to his death.

David Mackey is former lead guitarist of the T - Connection band, webmaster of TheBahamasWeekly.com, Pres. of Mackey Media Ltd; the parent company of TheBahamasWeekly.com and also manages The Tribune & 100JAMZ on Grand Bahama Island.