On March 3, 2009 St. Eustatius (Statia) lost legendary island historian and tour guide Mr. Josser Daniel. All guests of Explorer Ventures’ northeastern itinerary who had the privilege of hearing his historical accounts of Statia’s past will feel this loss, and remember the original copy of the Declaration of Independence which traveled with him wherever he went.
Mr. Daniel was born in Santo Domingo on July 13th 1923, the last of 6 children. His mother immigrated to the island of Statia when he was 3 1/2 years. Mr. Daniel grew up on the island, left school at the tender the age of 14 and began working with the Island Government at the Experimental Garden in Concordia. After a couple of years Josser attended night school and became skilled in carpentry and masonry. In 1949, he married Mrs. Marianne Daniel-Lijfrock and raised 10 children. In the 1960’s, Mr. Daniel established a business of his own, selling food, clothing and other general household supplies. Eventually he returned to his true passion, building. Mr. Daniel retired from the Department of Public Works in 1985 and continued to do small jobs around Statia.
In 1986, just before Explorer Ventures first began operating Caribbean Explorer I in the Northeastern Caribbean, Mr. Daniel acquired a taxi permit and established his taxi service and reputation as an historical tour guide. His vast knowledge of history and his quaint personality made him one of the most recognizable characters on Statia for over 20 years. Mr. Daniel once described his 20 year taxi tour guide career as most rewarding, and he delved deep into Statia’s history.
“Friends in the USA provided me books relating to historical ties between Statia and America. I intensely studied the historical ties between Statia and America and used this to educate visitors to Statia. Americans are always spellbound by the role Statia has played in their history.” He went so far as to name his tour bus “Miss Historical”. In 2006, Mr. Daniel sold his tour bus to a young local taxi operator, Mr. Irwin Lijfrock. During his last years, Mr. Daniel traveled to St. Maarten and Curacao and gave presentations at various schools.
In 1994, Josser received a letter from the then USA President Bill Clinton, thanking him for saving the life of a drowning American tourist at Zeelandia Beach. In April 2007, Mr. Daniel received a royal decoration from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, in the Order of Members of Oranje-Nassau. On June 15th of the same year, he received yet another prestigious award in recognition of his dedicated service to his community. This honor from the Caribbean Tourism Organization was given to him for his many years of unparalleled service; the ceremony took place at the 30th Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Caribbean State Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Mr. Daniel was one of only four nationals to receive a CTO Award of Excellence for contributions to the travel and hospitality sector. Mr. Daniel’s unique style of imparting the history of St. Eustatius to visitors, made him unique. The Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Julian Woodley, remarked: “Statia has lost a great man. Josser was not only knowledgeable, but he also possessed a burning passion for his island.
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Mr. Daniel greet guests. |
Sharing some of Statia's history. |
Mr. Daniel was forever 'teaching'. |
Sharing with guests Mr. Daniel's original copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independance given to the island. |
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Greg Holt of Scuba Radio tapes Mr. Daniel as Netdoc of ScubaBoard holds the framed copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independance. |
Mr. Daniel sharing one of his many passionate stories of his beloved island. |
Guests were always enlightened with the connection between St. Eustatius and the U.S. |
Mr. Daniel leads a group along historic Statia.
You will be greatly missed.
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Mr. Josser Daniel
