James Joseph Kemp Sr.
THE KEMP FAMILY DYNASTY
JAMES JOSEPH KEMP SR.
Born May 15,1924, in Nassau, Bahamas.
On May 15,1924 in Nassau, Bahamas Mr. and Mrs. Kemp were blessed with the birth of a precious little boy whom they christened, James Joseph Kemp.
He attended school in the Bahamas. At a young age he enlisted in the British Royal Army in London, England. He served as an infantryman during the second World War where he was wounded and was honorably discharged. After the war he came to the United States where he eventually became a naturalized citizen.
After his arrival in the United States, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mistress Sarah Lee Bush. They settled in the Homestead area and raised their family. During the early years Mr. Kemp worked various jobs which included field work in the local area. He also worked at the Trading Post Restaurant which was located on Krome Avenue. He worked in the kitchen and assisted with the cooking, cleaning and maintenance. Later he would learn his electrical craft as he help Major Fegins who did electrical work in the Homestead and Florida City area at that time. He would always find a way to provide for his family. He would take along his son James Jr. as he did various odd jobs such as painting houses in the summer when things were slow. Mr. Kemp would also guide his oldest son to follow in his footsteps as an electrician.
JAMES JOSEPH KEMP SR.
Born May 15,1924, in Nassau, Bahamas.
On May 15,1924 in Nassau, Bahamas Mr. and Mrs. Kemp were blessed with the birth of a precious little boy whom they christened, James Joseph Kemp.
He attended school in the Bahamas. At a young age he enlisted in the British Royal Army in London, England. He served as an infantryman during the second World War where he was wounded and was honorably discharged. After the war he came to the United States where he eventually became a naturalized citizen.
After his arrival in the United States, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mistress Sarah Lee Bush. They settled in the Homestead area and raised their family. During the early years Mr. Kemp worked various jobs which included field work in the local area. He also worked at the Trading Post Restaurant which was located on Krome Avenue. He worked in the kitchen and assisted with the cooking, cleaning and maintenance. Later he would learn his electrical craft as he help Major Fegins who did electrical work in the Homestead and Florida City area at that time. He would always find a way to provide for his family. He would take along his son James Jr. as he did various odd jobs such as painting houses in the summer when things were slow. Mr. Kemp would also guide his oldest son to follow in his footsteps as an electrician.
The Good Old Days
Mr. Kemp was well known for his cooking. He mastered the art of cooking tasty Bahamian style dishes. A family favorite was, "Baked Fish", with potatoes, sun ripened tomatoes, and freshly cut onions. Along with this seafood delicacy, a side order of pigeon peas and rice smothered with the spicy sauce that came from the bottom of the baked fish pan. At the bottom of the pan, all the flavors, from all of the ingredients would merged into a tasty delite. "This was a meal to remember".
Crab and rice was another highly favored family dish. Between the early 60's and early 70's the undeveloped area East of Homestead and Florida City, and out towards Bay Front Park, would become inundated at a certain time of the year. The flooding waters would force a multitude of Blue Crabs out of their holes, which were dug in the mud along the banks of the canals and ditches. Whenever this happened, it was time to go crabbing. It had become an annual family tradition to go crabbing. All the kids would get very excited about the trip as they loaded their croaker sacks and buckets into the car in preparation for the upcoming adventure. It was not all fun and games, you had to be very careful not to get caught in the grip of the crabs pincers. All the kids would use "y" shaped branches to pin the fleeting crabs down as they tried to get away. During those times the crabs were plentiful, which meant that there would be plenty of well seasoned Crab and Rice for everyone.
Mr. Kemp was also known for making his famous homemade coconut candy. You could hardly wait until it was cool enough to handle. The kids would all gather around in anticipation and watch as he prepared the table with wax paper and shortning. He would place the hot golden colored candy in circular stacks around the table, leaving an aroma from the caramelized sugar that lingered in the air as the candy slowly harden. Those were, "THE GOOD OLD DAYS".
Crab and rice was another highly favored family dish. Between the early 60's and early 70's the undeveloped area East of Homestead and Florida City, and out towards Bay Front Park, would become inundated at a certain time of the year. The flooding waters would force a multitude of Blue Crabs out of their holes, which were dug in the mud along the banks of the canals and ditches. Whenever this happened, it was time to go crabbing. It had become an annual family tradition to go crabbing. All the kids would get very excited about the trip as they loaded their croaker sacks and buckets into the car in preparation for the upcoming adventure. It was not all fun and games, you had to be very careful not to get caught in the grip of the crabs pincers. All the kids would use "y" shaped branches to pin the fleeting crabs down as they tried to get away. During those times the crabs were plentiful, which meant that there would be plenty of well seasoned Crab and Rice for everyone.
Mr. Kemp was also known for making his famous homemade coconut candy. You could hardly wait until it was cool enough to handle. The kids would all gather around in anticipation and watch as he prepared the table with wax paper and shortning. He would place the hot golden colored candy in circular stacks around the table, leaving an aroma from the caramelized sugar that lingered in the air as the candy slowly harden. Those were, "THE GOOD OLD DAYS".
Mr. Kemp was employed by the City of Homestead for 27 years as a Park Foreman and Electrician. After his retirement, he worked for the Colorful World of Archer, Inc. at Ocean Reef as a painter and laborer.
For numerous years Mr. Kemp was a member of the Masonic Lodge beginning as Light of the East #1 and graduating to St. Paul Grand Lodge, 32nd degree.
Mr. Kemp was well known in the local area. He helped many people in the community who needed electrical repair and installation of electrical equipment for their homes.
Mr. Kemp attended church regularly, his church of choice was St. John's Episcopal Church in Homestead.
On September 10, 1994, 2:20 p.m. Our dearly beloved James J. Kemp, Sr. answered his call to glory.
The Burial Service of James Joseph Kemp Sr. was held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Homestead on September 18, 1994.
Interment: Dade South Memorial Park, Richmond Heights, Florida.
For numerous years Mr. Kemp was a member of the Masonic Lodge beginning as Light of the East #1 and graduating to St. Paul Grand Lodge, 32nd degree.
Mr. Kemp was well known in the local area. He helped many people in the community who needed electrical repair and installation of electrical equipment for their homes.
Mr. Kemp attended church regularly, his church of choice was St. John's Episcopal Church in Homestead.
On September 10, 1994, 2:20 p.m. Our dearly beloved James J. Kemp, Sr. answered his call to glory.
The Burial Service of James Joseph Kemp Sr. was held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Homestead on September 18, 1994.
Interment: Dade South Memorial Park, Richmond Heights, Florida.