By Eric Hughes. I am the proud offspring of Anguillian immigrants who migrated to Perth Amboy, NJ and I am sharing our story for posterity. Eric Hughes can be reached at richughes3741@gmail.com
And now I proudly present the outstanding and historical stories, careers and talent of these pioneering young men, spear-headed by their dedicated Anguillian immigrant parents.
PART II
David W. Rey – President, Junior Class of 1951
David W. Rey
David Wilfred Rey was born and raised in Perth Amboy to parents William B. and Agnes T. Rey, who were immigrants from Anguilla. He was the youngest of three siblings.
David became one of the most popular students in high school. He was a member of the Senior Council, Senior Chorus and participated in many other extracurricular activities. Because of his outgoing personality and comedic but sly disposition, humor and wit unparalleled and fun and friendliness galore, he sought and was elected Junior Class President of 1951, only two years after Austin Gumbs was elected class president.
During David’s early years, he took tap dance lessons and appeared in and won many talent shows in the Perth Amboy area. He portrayed two prominent African American entertainers at school events and other contests: Cab Callaway, a very popular, zoot suited actor/entertainer from the 1930s and 1940s; and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, an expert tap dancer and respected actor from the 1920s and 1930s. David received rave reviews for his performances.
David was a very good athlete. He played on the baseball team, ran track and later in life became a very good tennis player.
He was a very intelligent person and soon began thinking of college as a junior. Eventually, David attended Saint Paul’s College graduating with a B.Sc degree in 1956. He continued his education at Newark State College and earned an M.A. degree in 1963, and completed eighty-seven credits beyond an M.A. degree at Columbia University in 1968.
Professionally, David was an educator. He was appointed Assistant Principal of School No. 10 in 1969, and taught at William C. McGinnis School in 1976 and the Samuel E. Shull School in 1987 until his retirement from the Perth Amboy School System in 1994.
David was also president of two important organizations in Perth Amboy: The Sons and Daughters of Anguilla whose mission was working towards maintaining the connection to the Motherland (Anguilla) and identifying Anguillians worthy of achievement recognition. He also led the Modern Gents Social Club that promoted social events and sponsored academic scholarships to deserving and needy black students.
Franklin R. Gumbs – President, Senior Class of 1954
Franklin R. Gumbs
Franklin Gumbs, younger brother of Austin Gumbs, was born and raised in Perth Amboy and was the fourth and youngest son of William Alexander and Edith Gertrude (Richardson) Gumbs of Crocus Bay and The Valley, Anguilla. He was affectionately called “Frankie” and came from the very popular and successful Gumbs family of Perth Amboy.
“Frankie” was large in heart and personality, with a remarkable natural ability to vocalize the issues affecting the Class of 1954. To be more specific, his assertive personality gave his classmates assurances that they could solve whatever problems they faced. He had a gift of gab, an easy laugh, a mind of his own and was just a happy-go-lucky fellow. Oft-times, just calling his name automatically brought a smile. His classmates loved him and his election to president of his class was expected.
He attended Fisk University, Lycoming College, and Seton Hall University. Professionally, “Frankie” served in the city’s Recreation Department for more than thirty-five years, where he was a Physical Education teacher in most of the parochial schools in Perth Amboy.
