Latest update April 7th, 2025 12:08 AM
Ralph ‘Musha’ Parris – Boxing coach extraordinaire laid to rest
Amidst an atmosphere of solemn retrospection, interspersed with tears of grief and sadness, members of the boxing fraternity joined family members to pay their final tributes to former boxing stalwart and national boxing coach, Ralph ‘Musha’ Parris, who was eulogized at the Lyken Funeral Parlour, John Street, Newburg, before his body was interred at the LeRepentir Cemetery, yesterday afternoon.
Pastor Kerry delivered a moving sermon and decreed that there is a place in heaven for ‘Musha’ whose journey on earth was characterized with humility and kindness. Ms Sandra Peters and Fay Jupiter read several excerpts of the scriptures while tributes were said by his daughters, Elizabeth and Sonia Parris, one of whom eulogized him in song.
Former Continental of Americas welterweight champion, Michael Benjamin, who enjoyed a stint under the tutelage of ‘Musha’ and top professional boxer, Marcelle Daniels, also delivered stirring tributes on behalf of the boxing community. Musician, Keith ‘Cool and Classy’ Campbell was also among those delivering tributes to the former boxing coach.
Born 86 years ago, ‘Musha’ as he is familiarly called around the boxing circles, was also known as ‘Jango’ by many of his colleagues who worked alongside him as a waterfront worker on the Georgetown wharves. He died on October 7 last after a prolonged battle with diabetes that commenced in July 2005 and forced medical specialists to amputate both legs.
‘Musha’s contribution to the fistic sports dates back eons when, as a young man, he donned gloves in representation of his country. While he was a decent pugilist, his contributions as a boxing coach was far more meritorious and he practiced his trade with pride and dignity. His son, Michael Anthony Parris, Guyana’s lone Olympics bronze medalist, remains as evidence of his stewardship as a boxing coach.
Boxers trained by ‘Musha’ form a ‘guard of honour’ as his casket leaves the parlour for the LeRepentir cemetery.
The elder Parris was constricted with the dreaded disease diabetes some eight years ago which resulted in the amputation of both legs and left him bedridden. It was during his challenges that Musha’s strength of character really came to the fore.
Moments before the commencement of the funeral service, solemn music by gospel singer, Jim Reeves, wafted through the air and family members said that he loved listening to the gospel singer even before he was constricted.
The ceremony was graced by members of the boxing community who formed an arch of boxing gloves as the remains of the beloved coach left the funeral parlour for the interment at the LeRepentir Cemetery. As the hearse began its final journey to the final resting place, the soothing words of Jim Reeves eulogized the boxing stalwart in song and welcomed him into a new sphere, ‘Come home, come home, ye who are weary come home. Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling oh sinner come home. May his soul rest in peace!
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