Rupert Wesley Badchkam was born March 16, 1932, to parents Cecil Badchkam and Julia (nee Merchant) Badchkam in Duncans, Trelawny, Jamaica. He was the second of four brothers, one sister (who passed away as a young child), as well as an adopted sister. Each of his siblings preceded him over the past several years.
He began working as a mechanic, primarily because motor vehicles were one of his great passions. He had a daughter, Vivienne, at the age of 22 from a prior relationship. He was very popular most of his life as he traveled throughout the island of Jamaica. As another of his passions, he would meet people from all walks of life, and as such, he maintained a great deal of friendships.
He later met and married the love of his life at the age of 24. His marriage to Elaine (Eve) Badchkam produced three children: Anette, Brenton, and Aliya. They lived in Jamaica between Duncans, Trelawny, and New Hall Manchester, then later London, England, then Kingston Jamaica, then back to England, then back to Mandeville, Jamaica, then Houston, Texas, USA, before settling in Miami Dade County, Broward County, and afterwards the Palm Bay and Vero Beach areas in his later years.
Upon becoming a young adult, he received training as a certified mechanic/machinist. In Manchester, Jamaica, he worked at Alcan Williamsfield, then had his own mechanic shops and trucking businesses in Jamaica as well as in England. When the family returned to Jamaica from England, he worked at Aluminum Partners of Jamaica in Nain St. Elizabeth, then Reynolds Bauxite Company in St. Ann’s Bay, then later Kelly Tractor in Miami, Florida. He also traveled back and forth from Florida to Jamaica for several years up until June of 2024.
He leaves behind Elaine (Eve) Badchkam, their children Anette, Brenton (wife Donna), and Aliya (husband Wayne), as well as his daughter Vivienne (husband Urban). He also leaves behind nine grandchildren (including one who is deceased), as well as ten great-grandchildren. He lived a very full life and enjoyed it tremendously, and as much as he could. He was hardly ever sick in any way until his later years.
On Monday, 1/12/26, after he suffered a heart attack, he was admitted to the hospital’s ICU around 6 AM. On Thursday, 1/15/26, he passed away comfortably and peacefully at 3:43 AM. His daughter Vivienne, and her husband Urban, Elaine (Eve) Badchkam, Anette, Brenton and his wife Donna, as well as Aliya and her husband Wayne and their daughter Hannah, were with him for his last few hours. May his soul rest in God’s Eternal Peace.