By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SITE of tragedy became a celebration of life on Saturday as family and friends gathered to mourn Bahamian artist and entrepreneur Stefan “Legend” Davis, filling the area where he was killed last week with Junkanoo music, flowers, birthday messages and candles.

The roadside memorial was held in Miami, a day before what would have been Mr Davis’ 56th birthday.

Mourners gathered to celebrate the life of a man they described as kind, talented and deeply creative.

Mr Davis, a father of two, founder of Airbrush Junkies and one of the country’s best-known creative entrepreneurs, was reportedly in South Florida on what was believed to be a birthday trip when he was caught in the crash.

He was killed on Wednesday after a man allegedly fleeing police ran a stop sign while attempting to evade officers and crashed into his vehicle and another.

The suspect was later identified as 21-year-old Lewis Manuel Perez, who was wanted on a military desertion warrant.

At Saturday’s memorial, Mr Davis’ family recalled the shock of learning he had died.

His brother, Bappy Davis, said the family had been celebrating on Wednesday before receiving the devastating news.

“It was so shocking because we didn’t know where he was for the whole day,” Mr Davis said.

He recalled being in Atlanta to drop off his daughter, who is also an artist, at college when the family received the call.

“We were so happy on Wednesday, setting her up in her dorm, getting her ready,” he said.

“We went out to pick up one or two things, and then we got that tragic call. I didn’t understand that and it was so bittersweet. It was like the worst and best thing that ever happened to my life.”

Mr Davis said there was no better way for the family to express its grief than through Junkanoo, which had been a central part of their lives since childhood.

Their family home on Taylor Street was next to the One Family Junkanoo Shack, where Stefan was a familiar presence.

“We ate, slept, we woke up to junkanoo,” he said.

“It was all in our house. Wherever we go. We couldn’t get rid of it. Some people liked junkanoo, loved junkanoo. We didn’t have a choice.”

He vowed to keep his brother’s legacy alive, adding: “He’ll live through us.”

At the vigil, loved ones wrote birthday messages, draped the area with a Bahamian flag and gathered as Junkanooers rushed in his honour.

Neighbours also came out to pay their respects and offer condolences to the grieving family.

His best friend said Mr Davis’ death still felt unreal.

Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour in on social media, with One Family remembering Mr Davis as an innovator who was not afraid to take chances.

“We are in shock and quite frankly lost for words,” said chairman Vernon Rolle. “His connection to One Family was deeply rooted through Taylor Street where his entire family became part of our extended family and contributed to our organisation.”

Mr Rolle said he would be deeply missed.

Mr Davis is survived by two children and other relatives, as friends, colleagues and members of the wider creative community mourn his sudden death.

His body is expected to be returned to The Bahamas on Friday, according to his family.