Milbert John Lugay
February 20, 1943 – April 10, 2018
Milbert John Lugay was born on the 20th day of February 1943 to Frank Augustus "Frankie" and Augista “Ogista” Lugay, a well-respected family of a small village called Fond Baron in Loubiere located in the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies.
The first of three children, Milbert was born at Loubiere in the breech presentation and lived with his parents until he married at the age of 23.
Following his primary school education at St. Luke’s Primary School in Pointe Michel, Milbert attended St. Mary’s Academy. Upon leaving St. Mary’s Academy, he spent a short time working for various companies, including HHV Whitchurch and the tobacco factory, where he learned to smoke.
He began his career in public service as a psychiatric nurse working for the Ministry of Health January 3, 1965. During this time, he befriended a young lady from Tete Morne Grand Bay named Martha Angol. Their friendship soon blossomed into a courtship. They were married January 4, 1968 and soon after welcomed their first child.
Milbert worked for St. Luke’s Psychiatric Hospital better known as the "Mental Home" from 1965 to 1982 where he showed great leadership and his ability and competence in psychiatry was respected by his peers and revered by his supervisors. He soon worked his way up to become in charge, under the supervision of Dr. John Royer, the chief psychiatrist.
In 1982, Milbert formally resigned from his position to join his wife in the great state of Texas. With an excellent letter of recommendation from Dr. Royer, he and his two children, including a rambunctious toddler, headed to Houston.
For Milbert, moving to Houston was the turning point in his life. It was the place he reconnected with his wife after several months of being a part, fathered his namesake, met his very best buddies, honed his skills in psychiatry and launched into the deep as a business owner.
Milbert’s first job after arriving in Houston was as a nursing assistant at a senior living facility. He worked nights. His tenure there would be short-lived, because he had trouble staying awake. Milbert soon found another job as a psychiatric technician at Laurelwood Hospital. There, Milbert found his stride. He worked at Laurelwood for nine wonderful years and was even responsible for providing training in rope therapy, reveling in the thrill of being high above the trees.
During his work at Laurelwood, one of the physicians saw his potential and encouraged him to venture out on his own. In 1991, he started Houston Better Living Center or Perwinkle House, an intermediate care facility for those with intellectual and development disabilities. For 27 years, Milbert served as the CEO for the facility until his passing. He loved his work and maintained that for his efforts he “must go to heaven.”
Milbert had a keen sense of humor and could make anyone laugh, especially his travel buddies. Milbert loved adventure and was fortunate to travel to many destinations, including Alaska, the Grand Canyon, The Amalfi Coast, central and southern Europe as well as his favorite destination, Istanbul, Turkey.
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