Mark Anthony retires from the UN after 42 years
By Tangerine Clarke
When Mark Anthony arrived
in the United States from Guyana
with his parents and two siblings
in 1977, he never thought
in his wildest dreams, that he
would spend 42 years at the
United Nations, a prestigious
world body.
The then 18-year-old, who
had completed his high school
education at St. Stanislaus College
in Guyana, got his first job
at a New York security firm his
father had managed, however,
at the encouragement of a friend
who had worked at the UN back
then, Anthony decided to apply
to the international non-forprofit
organization.
He went on to ace the employment
examination required to
work at the UN, and later became
a staff member in June 1977.
Anthony, one of eight children,
says persons should enjoy
life, don’t rush it, because the
ending is nice, a mantra that
he no doubt learned from his
deceased father, a former Guyana
police officer. His mother
who was a hairstylist and took
care of the family in Georgetown,
enjoys being with her children
here in the US.
Fondly called, “Mr. UN,”
Anthony, despite retiring earlier
this year, still makes regular
visits to the UN Headquarters in
New York City, to participate in
the myriad of activities he once
headed, while working as assistant
supervisor in mail operations
with notable peacekeeping
mission assignments to Western
Sahara and Angola.
It is unbelievable to fathom,
how Anthony is known in
every facet of the vast complex.
His non-stop energy, enthusiasm,
and dynamic personality,
has kept him involved in many
activities at the UN. He is one of
the most recognized faces on the
compound.
He is still a member of the UN
Staff Recreation Council Clubs
and the UN Singers. He was the
president of the Athletics Club,
member of the Spartan, as well
as the Caribbean, Peruvian and
Philippine Cultural Clubs, where
he helped plan and execute fundraising
activities.
And because he had exhibited
qualities befitting the goals of
the United Nations developing
friendly relations among nations
and promoting social progress,
Anthony was a finalist in the
2016 UN Secretary General Ban
Ki Moon Award for “Collegiality.”
Caribbean L 30 ife, OCTOBER 25-31, 2019 BQ
This honor, he told Caribbean
Life, was one of the highlights
of his career at the UN. “The
nomination was a surprise, and
being named one of the nominees
out of thousands of people
worldwide, and a finalist also,
made the experience more phenomenal,”
he said.
“Life is about changes. We
should be like chameleons, and
do the best we can,” said Anthony
who has travelled to many countries
around the world on missions.
He still attends workout
sessions, have lunch with friends,
but after all of these activities, he
no longer has to rush to work, he
quipped.
The UN newsletter described
Anthony as a popular UN personality
who loved organizing
events, including UN Staff Day
activities, as M.C. and producer
for the talent shows. He attended
one of the many UN Inter-Agency
Games where he had represented
the UNHQ.”
The publication says Mark
has toured Asia, the Caribbean,
Europe and South America, with
the UN Singers. Mark’s advice:
“Grab any opportunity offered at
the UN, no matter what the obstacles
are.”
Mark Anthony, with Consul General of Guyana to New York,
Barbara Atherly, at Guyana’s Independence celebration at
Brooklyn Borough Hall. Photo by Tangerine Clarke