Local culture buff and actor dies suddenly
(CNS): Cayman is mourning the loss of Morgan DaCosta, who died suddenly at the weekend at the age of 57. A devoted advocate for the arts and Caymanian culture, DaCosta had performed on stage since he was a child and began acting in school plays. A key member of the original Rundown team, he also featured in numerous other performances, wrote scripts and worked with the Cayman National Cultural Foundation for many years.
He joined the CNCF Board in 1997 and contributed significantly to various roles, including board member, treasurer, deputy chairman, and chairman of the Grants and Awards Committee.
DaCosta’s love of theatre and the performing arts, both on stage and behind the scenes, defined his dedication to Caymanian culture, the CNCF said in a release about his untimely death at his home on Sunday morning.
For over two decades, he was a proactive member of the CNCF Board, contributing his time to volunteering at events, front-of-house support, official functions, and cultural exchange programmes, all while prioritising the growth and preservation of the community’s arts and heritage.
CNCF Chairperson Lorna Reid said he was a true Caymanian, devoted to his country, culture, heritage and history.
“He was a talented actor, playwright, cultural ambassador, and deputy chairman of the CNCF board,” she said. “As an administrative counsellor, prominent businessman and cultural advocate, he gave his all to make Caymanian culture enjoyable, memorable, educational and strong.
“Morgan was a gifted and valued actor and colleague who could always be counted on to bring the stage alive with the many characters he portrayed. His tireless commitment to Caymanian culture since the mid-1990s ensures that future generations will benefit from his efforts. Morgan made our culture vibrant and unforgettable,” she added.
DaCosta played an instrumental role in shaping CNCF and preserving Caymanian culture for years to come, and his passing is a great loss to the community.
“His passion, dedication, and contributions will never be forgotten, leaving behind a lasting legacy through his family and cultural work,” CNCF CEO Natalie Urquhart said. “Morgan was a true champion of culture and heritage, a respected business leader, community advocate, and above all, a family man. His passion for culture, particularly theatre and the performing arts, was infectious, whether on stage, behind the scenes, in operations and finance, out in the community campaigning for support, or sharing CNCF’s work internationally.”
DaCosta made his living as a local entrepreneur, working in the family business, and he was president of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
However, he will mostly be remembered for his work with local culture, including his work as chairperson for Native Sons, for which he organised several shows in the early days. He was recognised for all of his work when he received a King’s Certificate and Badge of Honour in this New Year’s royal gong list.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
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Category: Art & Entertainment, Local News
Morgan was a high school classmate and friend.
RIP Morgan
In Cayman, we put stock into the Queen’s awards and the MBEs and all of that stuff. I don’t think those things measure a person or describe how they lived their lives. Morgan Dacosta as a good dude, plain and simple. I think that says more about him than any award ever could. RIP Morgan.
Who TF would thumbs down that?
Damn. So sad to read this. Morgan was aways a very lovable guy who would always come over to chat with me when I’d stop at Maedac House for a car wash or some gas or some Cadbury chocolate! Our conversations would go from local gossip to serious national issues to something hilarious that might have happened that week. And whenever I’d pilot my boat in or out of the canal behind his house, he’d always have something funny to yell across his back garden as I went by. He was the definition of Cayman Kind. RIP bro.
I met Morgan when he was a teenager pumping gas for his father at Maedac House. From then, he was always smiling and joking with me and that never stopped every time I saw him as an adult. He was way too young to be gone. This makes me so sad. RIP Morgan.
I knew of Morgan but not personally. My deep condelsecences to his family. However, I pray that while he was alive he knew all of the great comments that are now being made now about him.
Another wake up call to ALL of us. No matter who we are, the social class we belong to, our job, our wealth, etc, we take none of that with us. I believe we take the intangible things we receive while we are living.
People, life is too short and too unpredictable to do anything to another human being other than showing them love, respect, tolerance, empathy, compassion, care, and much more.
R.I.P. fellow Caymanian.
I have always liked Morgan and really consider him to be the guy who was most instrumental in the local banks introducing debit cards for their customers. There was a time when he spoke about his business no longer willing to accept personal cheques as so many were being returned unpaid. I was amazed how the Banks advanced technology to have debit cards after his business made that announcement.
RIP my friend!
RIP, Morgan. You will be missed by so many.
I no longer live in Cayman, but I have fond memories of watching this guy in Rundown.
CNS – you did a good job naming Morgan’s involvement in arts and culture and related agencies. Morgan was also the Owner and Managing Director of MAEDAC Supply, a large wholesale supplier with vast impact on island.
A loss indeed of a very decent Caymanian from a very well loved and respected Caymanian family.
I’m always saddened when we lose a member of our little population/community but some losses are bigger than others. This is one of those bigger losses for me. I’m sorry to have lost Morgan but I’m blessed to have interacted with him each time that I did. I’ve met few people who possessed the genuine love for others that he displayed daily. Ride on Morgan.