By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MYLES Chairo Munroe, the son of Dr Myles and Ruth Munroe, said the week following the death of his parents in a plane crash was the hardest for him and his sister Charisa as they grapple with life in the aftermath of the tragedy that killed seven other people.

This comes as newly appointed Bahamas Faith Ministries International senior pastor Dave Burrows confirmed that a memorial will be held for Dr Munroe at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on December 3. There also will be overflow seating accommodations at BFMI when the funeral is held on December 4, he said.

Chairo delivered an emotional speech while flanked by his tearful sister, church members and relatives in the first Sunday service at BFMI since the ill-fated Learjet 36 crashed in a junk pile at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in bad weather on November 9.

He went on to remember his father as a man who always found time for people and believed in their gifts. As the country mourns the loss of his parents and the others who died, he encouraged parishioners to appreciate their loved ones.

“My dad always spoke about his belief in people, nothing else mattered but the people,” he said. “Regardless of how long he spoke or travelled, he always made time for people. That’s just the type of person he was.

“You just don’t think certain people will not be here tomorrow. I encourage people this week (to tell) people in your life that you love (them). (If) they mean a lot to you make sure you tell them. Don’t take for granted that you will be able to tell them tomorrow because tomorrow isn’t promised.

“You really don’t know who is sitting next to you and what they are capable of (but) my dad believed in everyone and that they were gifted in their area of gifting.”

Chairo added: “It’s amazing that my mother isn’t here with us either. She was a helpmate, the perfect helpmate for my dad.”

Dr Myles, 60, and his wife Ruth died with seven others, including BFMI vice-president Dr Richard Pinder, newly ordained youth pastors Lavard “Manifest” Parks, his wife, Radel, and their son Johanan, 5. Pilot, Captain Stanley Thurston, co-pilot Frahkan Cooper and Diego DeSantiago, a 38-year-old US resident were also killed.

The plane, which had left Nassau last Sunday, hit a crane at the Grand Bahama Shipyard around 5.10pm and crashed in a nearby junk pile. All persons on board were killed instantly.

A secretariat has been appointed to handle all funeral concerns in the coming weeks.