Carcyl "Lasscelles" "Chester" Rochester

Carcyl Clayton McDonald Rochester, affectionately known to many as “Lasscelles” or “Chester”, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 19, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Carcyl was born on June 21, 1947, in Basseterre, St. Kitts to parents Pearl Pickard (née Rochester) and Carlton Nisbett. His formative years were spent in Basseterre, where he was lovingly raised by his great-grandmother, Amelia Jeffers. She instilled in him a deep love of God, along with the virtues of kindness, respect, and the timeless principle of treating others the way you would like to be treated.

As a young man, Carcyl migrated to the United States, with his Aunt Doris Brown, and made his home in Brooklyn, New York. Though he embraced the pace and energy of the city life, he never lost touch with his Caribbean roots. His love of music, storytelling, and cultural food from home remained a constant thread throughout his life.

In Brooklyn, he built lasting friendships. He never met a stranger and never missed an opportunity to encourage someone to visit St. Kitts and Nevis. When he relocated to Louisville, Kentucky in 2019 to join his daughter, he quickly became known in his apartment building as “the man with the accent.”

He was employed as a Manager at Martin Paint for approximately 22 years, during which time he became a trusted expert in his field. Highly knowledgeable and passionate about his work, he could tell you everything you wanted to know about paints, lacquers, wallpaper, and related materials. Whether helping customers choose the perfect shade or advising contractors on the best products for their projects, he was known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and deep understanding of the trade. His dedication made him a valuable resource and a respected figure within the store and the wider community.

Following his time at Martin Paint, he continued his strong work ethic and commitment to public service with the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority as a station agent.  He served in that role for 17 years until his retirement, bringing the same reliability, integrity, and friendly presence to one of the city’s most essential services.

Carcyl was a devoted father. He loved his children unconditionally, steadfast, and unwavering through every joy and challenge. He taught by example, instilling in them the same perseverance, pride, and integrity that defined his own life. He seized every opportunity to motivate his children by reminding them that they were privileged to be born in the greatest country on earth, a place where limitless opportunities awaited those willing to work for them. He urged them to pursue their education with dedication and to develop a strong and undiminished work ethic.

He was a man who embodied great strength and deep compassion, was supportive and reliable, and was always willing to lending a listening ear and a guiding word. He was a brother, uncle and friend. Carcyl will be remembered for his steadfast spirit, profound love of Calypso music, especially the Mighty Sparrow, his enduring pride in his St. Kitts heritage, and his unwavering loyalty to the New York Yankees.

If you had asked him what his greatest accomplishment was, he would have said without hesitation: being a father. To his siblings and extended family, he was a cornerstone of unity and loyalty, a constant, dependable presence they could always rely on. To his many friends, he was a true confidant and devoted companion, generous with both his time and his heart.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Pickard; his father, Carlton Nisbett; brother, Arthur Prosper; and sister, Ivy Rochester. He leaves to mourn his passing his daughter, Carcyle Rochester-Barrett (Richard); his son, Lasscelles Rochester (Iye); and his siblings Barry Rochester, Naomi Pickard, Carlson, Euclid, Midlaine, Carrol, Dovan, Petronella, and nMalcolm Nisbett, Merleine Etuk, and Nardine Nisbett Browne; beloved nieces, nephews, and countless cherished friends.

Though his presence will be deeply missed, Carcyl’s strength, sense of humor, and generous spirit will live on in the many lives he touched.

A visitation for Carcyl Rochester will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions Southwest Louisville Chapel, located at 10304 Dixie Highway. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation.

In honor of Carcyl’s legacy, a scholarship has been established in his name. The family kindly requests that contributions in his memory be made to the Sky is the Limit Scholarship in Memory of Carcyl C.M. Rochester through the Rainey Day Foundation, Inc. This scholarship is designed to support students in need who aspire to pursue higher education and reach their full potential.

To donate, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/CMRochester-Scholarship. All contributions are deeply appreciated.