ForeverMissed
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A memorial service will be held in the Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Keystone Room (across from the main sanctuary) on Sabbath, April 27 at 5:00pm. The address is 6810 Eastern Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 


December 23, 2021
December 23, 2021
Dear Brother Sherwin you are deeply missed by your chess buddies: Mike, Hayes, Zack, Wilbur, etc.
November 18, 2019
November 18, 2019
Warm memories from a neighbor with whom Sherwin and Florence shared his CD, "The Wonder of God's Love."
April 24, 2019
April 24, 2019
Sherwyn, My Friend: You are truly at rest! You came into this world and into lives and have left your mark. Quite impressive. You became a true friend. I am glad for the opportunities provided by our Lord for us to visit each other's homes, and the enjoyment of appreciating your music. We were so proud of your achievement. So sorry plans did not work out for you and Florence's visit to Trinidad & Tobago, but I am sure we will be visiting worlds in the hereafter. Sleep on my friend, it won't be long now before night will be over, and it will be perpetual day forever. By His grace, I am looking forward to meeting you there. Your friend...Gloria.
April 15, 2019
April 15, 2019
My Dear friend, Tony, words are truly inadequate. ... but I want you, Fely, Richard and other family members to know you have friends that love you, hold you dear at this time, and sincerely care. I never met Sherwin, but as I've read other posts I am inclined to believe he has lived up to the much valued Rugless name - in fact, thanks to HMaynard Reid, I have accessed his project on YouTube - awesome! Be encouraged my friend. It won't be long... our Savior's return is immiminent, and the reunion is going to be amazing! So, go ahead and sorrow for awhile - it is your right, but know that the blessed hope is to be your encouragement. Look out! Lo He comes!
Much love from the Lloyd and Sandra Wilson-Brown family!
April 13, 2019
April 13, 2019
Rememberin Sherwin back in the days when I first went to West Indies College back in tge days. May his soul rest in Peace. Condolences to his family.
April 11, 2019
April 11, 2019
It seems like only yesterday when the Rugless Family impacted all our lives at West Indies College, bringing music and laughter, creativity, brilliance and charm in so many different ways. Sherwin was so very gifted and active. His music was engaging and it is wonderful that the recordings will remain to inspire and motivate others. It must be extremely difficult for you and your family to cope with yet another loss, Tony. We encourage you to hold on to your faith in the Dear Lord. Hold on to Jesus, it won’t be long now. 
Our condolences,
Vivien, Charmaine, Donna (Morris)
April 10, 2019
April 10, 2019
My sympathies at the loss of Sherwin. He will be remembered fondly. The many many games of chess back in the WIC days were helpful in honing analytical skills. His musical talents blessed many. I look forward to that day when Christ will be victorious over that old enemy death.
April 10, 2019
April 10, 2019
Remember is days at West Indies Collage, use to play his bass guitar with the GC band back in the late 70's.
April 9, 2019
April 9, 2019
Tony, we're so sorry to learn of Sherwin's passing. Please know that we are lifting you up in our prayers as we offer our condolences. A number of us got to know Sherwin quite well through soccer, chess and music from back in the WIC days. We look forward to seeing him again in the earth made new. May the Lord comfort and strengthen you until then.
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Tony, Annick and I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of your gifted brother, Sherwin. He was talented.
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Hello Anthony, I feel the loss of Sherwin. His footprints will forever be with us through the wonderful messages in songs which can be found on YouTube - The Sherwin Rugless Project.
May we share the joyful hope he had - meeting together some day with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Until then
Be faithful.
Harry Hugh Maynard-Reid
Waiting
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Dear Tony,
I am trying, unsuccessfully, to understand how you feel, BUT without success. I have never been there - never lost a sibling. What I do know is that it must be very painful and difficult. Your brother Sherwin loved the Lord. He had a relationship with Him... his Project bears testimony to that fact. God is with you, Tony. He will bear you up in His arms. Stand firm, and stand strong. "The Golden morning is fast approaching... Jesus soon will come." It won't be long. You are going to be with your brothers again! Keep chargin'!
Joy Maynard-Reid
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Dear Tony,
My condolences to you. It must be very difficult to lose another sibling in such a short space of time. In my mind's eyes I can see Sherwin, in the strength of his youth, bounding down those stairs leading to the classrooms under the cafeteria.  He is resting now, and I pray the Lord will uphold you during this time of loss.
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Dearest Tony, this is so hard to comprehend. I have many memories of Sherwin coming over and playing the piano at the house on Chellaston Dr. I'm so sorry to hear, may our heavenly Father surround you and yours with His love.
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Sherwin,
You are gone. My brother, you and Junior have gone to rest. It's so hard to imagine a world without either of my brothers in it. That's all I've known all my life.
You are resting now, waiting for Jesus to call your name and give you a brand new body and eternal life. I will carry the Rugless name with pride and dignity while God gives me life.
I love you, Sherwin. I look forward to being in heaven with you.
Your brother,
Tony
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Wish we had a chance to see each other again but I guess that's just going to have to happen in Heaven. Toni Clarke (WIC)

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Recent Tributes
December 23, 2021
December 23, 2021
Dear Brother Sherwin you are deeply missed by your chess buddies: Mike, Hayes, Zack, Wilbur, etc.
November 18, 2019
November 18, 2019
Warm memories from a neighbor with whom Sherwin and Florence shared his CD, "The Wonder of God's Love."
April 24, 2019
April 24, 2019
Sherwyn, My Friend: You are truly at rest! You came into this world and into lives and have left your mark. Quite impressive. You became a true friend. I am glad for the opportunities provided by our Lord for us to visit each other's homes, and the enjoyment of appreciating your music. We were so proud of your achievement. So sorry plans did not work out for you and Florence's visit to Trinidad & Tobago, but I am sure we will be visiting worlds in the hereafter. Sleep on my friend, it won't be long now before night will be over, and it will be perpetual day forever. By His grace, I am looking forward to meeting you there. Your friend...Gloria.
His Life
April 14, 2019

Sherwin Edmund Rugless’ story began on November 23, 1954 at Andrews Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica where he was born to Pastor Oswald and Mrs. Admah Rugless.  He was the second of four children.  His childhood and teenage years were spent in Jamaica after which he migrated to Maryland where he and his wife Florence lived until his passing on April 4, 2019.

As the child of a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, Sherwin spent his early years living in different locations in Jamaica – Spanish Town, Morant Bay, Port Antonio and Mandeville where he attended West Indies College High School. Sherwin’s parents taught him to love Jesus and modeled Christian behavior in their home.  Sherwin’s favorite hymn was Marching to Zion which he requested frequently during family worships.

From a very early age, Sherwin was interested in and showed an aptitude for music.  Over the years, he learned to play several musical instruments – the piano, trumpet, and guitar.  He taught his brother Tony to play the guitar.  He was a member of his high school band and enjoyed musical composition and arrangement. 

Sherwin was an athlete. He was a formidable soccer and ping pong player in his youth.  He also became an accomplished chess player.  As a teenager in Jamaica, he had become enamored with chess and began studying strategy and competing in tournaments sponsored by the Jamaica Chess Federation.  As his chess ranking increased, he purchased and studied multiple books on chess strategy. Chess became a very important part of his life and continued to be throughout his adult life.  He was always anxious to share his knowledge of chess and teach others about the game.  

Sherwin was family-oriented and friendly.  He loved his parents and his baby sister, Lori-Ann.  He loved his brothers, Oswald Jr. and Tony.  As boys, the three brothers enjoyed spending family time playing a mean game of Monopoly.  Lifelong bonds were formed between the brothers during these competitive sessions.

Over the years as family and friends were separated, Sherwin kept in regular contact with each one via telephone.  When Sherwin’s Mom passed from Alzheimer’s disease in 1999, he expressed “Look what the devil has done to my sweet mother!”  When his brother Oswald passed in 2017, he said to Tony “Our lives here on earth are a window of opportunity to prepare for heaven.”  He continued by saying “I am confident that Junior was ready to meet Jesus.”  Sherwin was never happier than when surrounded by family and friends. 

Sherwin and Florence got married in the early 1980s at West Indies College in Mandeville, Jamaica, after which they moved to Maryland and established their new home.  There, Sherwin continued focusing on music composition and arrangement, eventually releasing a CD in 2004 titled The Sherwin Rugless Project: the Wonder of God’s Love on which he composed all of the songs.  This CD, created in collaboration with A.T. Westney and Reger Smith, Jr., is available on YouTube.

Sherwin loved God. Though he faced health challenges during his lifetime, he was determined to put God first and to use his musical abilities to share God’s love with others. He dedicated his talents to God’s cause and resolved to create only religious music.  His greatest desire was that his music would be an instrument to point others to Jesus.

On Thursday, April 4, 2019, Sherwin’s story ended on this earth.  He will be missed by his brother Tony (Fely), sister Lori-Ann, nephew Richard and other relatives and friends.  His influence and his music live on.

Rest now, Sherwin, until that beautiful, musical reunion in heaven.

Recent stories

WIC days!

April 9, 2019

Tony, I clearly remember our days at then West Indies College now Northern Caribbean University. Sherwin was aslways a talented musician even then. He will be playing sweet music in heaven with Elder and Mrs Rugless. Oz will be there on the organ.

April 9, 2019

Tony 

Sending heartfelt sympathies to your family.  I cannot even begin to imagine your pain as you process your brother's passing. He was a musical giant, naturally talented, leaving an amazing musical legacy. Our prayers are with you in your grief. 


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