Fred Wesby

Frderick Daniel Wesby was born in January 1876. He was a red skin man with lots of European blood. He had green eyes and he was short and stout. He was also the father of six children, four daughters and two sons. He dropped out of school when he was in standard three and at the early age of thirteen he worked as a stable boy and was able to buy his first pair of shoes.

Mr. Wesby’s best friend was Robert S. Thurton ( they worked together as stable boys in their youth) who later became one Belize’s first millionaires. He and William Cadle Price, father of George Cadle Price, were devoted members of the Holy Redeemer Parish. Consequently, Mr. Wesby became godfather for all of the Price’s family. He was a great friend of father David Hickey S. J. who later became bishop. Wesby was a humble man. Practically everyday of this life he rode a bicycle as a means of transportation.

At one time Mr. Fred Wesby was a messenger at the Belize City Council and later became a tax collector for the City Council. In 1961 he was the president of the Belize City Council for the PUP and later became mayor of Belize City. He also won the seat for the Albert division for the PUP on March 1st, 1961 and became a member of the new Legislative Assembly. Finally, Mr. Wesby died in April of 1974 at the age of ninety-nine (99).

ACHIEVEMENTS

Between 1993 and 1996 the PUP government built a children’s park at the Yarborough area in memory of Fred Wesby. Also, a bridge was named after him situated on Fairweather street. He also helped to develop the Mullins River Village where he had a vacation home and a farm.

EFFECTS ON BELIZE

Mr. Wesby was known as a very hard and strict worker and he had the reputation for supervising the best constructed alleys, bridge, drains and streets of Belize City. People called him “Boss Fred”.

HOW HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AFFECTED YOU OR BELIZE

His achievements affect us or Belize due to the fact that although he was a poor young man with little education, he made the sacrifice to educate himself by reading books and made something of his life by earning himself such a high position. This is a good example for the youths of today, especially those who didn’t have the chance to finish primary or secondary school.