Dr Crawford played a masterly innings

Life Tributes

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large

Sunday, October 02, 2011

HIS brother-in-law described his 64 years on Earth, as a "carefully planned, masterly innings filled with master strokes".

That innings played by medical practitioner and cricket administrator Dr David JA Crawford thrilled so many, that hundreds turned out to say farewell to him at his service of thanksgiving on Saturday, September 24 at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew.

The former Wolmer's Boys' School academic standout, track and field team captain, discus and shot put thrower, weightlifter, and cricketer, was hailed by several entrusted to tell all they knew about him, in a moving four-hour service.

Brother-in-law Dr David Hanson also lauded the deceased as one who had a profound effect on all those whose lives he touched.

"He will continue to have a profound effect on us for years to come. He did his part to uplift cricket in St Mary, Jamaica and the West Indies. One longs for a character like David with West Indies cricket in the state that it is in now," Dr Hanson said.

"David was a man who made a habit of making long term commitments and sticking with them," he said.

Dr Crawford, who served as president of the St Mary Cricket Association for 24 straight years, was also a life member of the Jamaica Cricket Association.

He served as senior medical officer for St Mary and ran a private practice there for many years.

Reverend Peter Garth in his sermon, described Dr Crawford as an upright Jamaican who made a significant contribution to all areas of life.

"David Crawford, in all of the ups and downs, never faulted God for his illness," Garth said of the man who succumbed to heart disease on September 6.

"David had a testimony. Whatever he achieved was done in quietness and confidence. He worshipped, witnessed and knew that God was there," Garth said.

Former classmate at the University of the West Indies medical school and fellow Wolmerian, Dr Peter Wellington, the senior medical officer at the Mandeville General Hospital, said that his fallen colleague was a special kind.

"He honed and refined those skills of humanity that defined him. He was a wonderful father and a good friend," Dr Wellington said of the man who along with others was tear-gassed on the way to a protest outside of Jamaica House to demonstrate against the banning of Guyanese political activist Walter Rodney from entering Jamaica during the 1960s.

Dr Crawford's lone daughter Salema, sons Mark and David also showered him with accolades.

Salema, with guitar in hand, gave thanks to her father for "giving all of us his music.

"He was our friend and he made us feel that way. Whenever we were going to make any critical decisions in our lives, you could ask daddy," Salema said.

"He was systematic, reliable, accurate and he always kept a schedule," was how Mark described him, while David, who teamed up with a duo of friends to render a song, remembered his father's "sportsmania."

Dr Isaac Brown of the St Mary health department said that Dr Crawford never turned away patients, whether in private or public practice.

"He was a leader. He led the St Mary health department in such a way that we were able to bring a potentially serious epidemic under control and save lives.

"His name has become a household one in St Mary. He has left us a legacy that we will cherish for many years to come, from one generation to the next.

Former Jamaica Football Federation president Hugh Perry, who is president of the Portland Cricket Association and a long-time Jamaica Cricket Board member, said that Dr Crawford would be remembered for the fine work that he did.

He has made his mark. He enjoyed what he was doing with cricket, the public and his family. David did what he came here to do, did it well and he must be remembered for what he did," Perry said.

Dr Crawford also leaves widow Veronica, popularly known as Blossom.

A message sent from Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, was read by his wife, Lady Allen, while there were also tributes from Custos of St Mary AA Bobby Pottinger, and St Mary cricket official Errol Lynch.

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Dr Crawford played a masterly innings