EARL Spencer, the man who spent over 40 years outfitting Jamaicans from almost every rung of society in well-tailored suits, is dead.

The philanthropist and tailor who was the driving force behind Spencer’s Tailoring, which has locations in Kingston, Mandeville and Ocho Rios, died on Saturday after a prolonged ailment which caused him to be hospitalised several times over the last eight months. He was 58 years old.

Yesterday, Spencer’s bereaved widow Mavis declined to speak with the Observer but promised to do so at a later date. Spencer’s adopted son Nevlon Malcolm, however, reminisced with the Observer about the man whom he said he came to know over the past five years.

“He sent me to school and everything. He assisted me in life,” Malcolm added.

“I met him in about 2002; I was going to university then. I was having a little struggle now and then financially and he gave me the push. He was that type of person. He gave me the push. The first time I ever drove a Mark II car in my life he gave me,” Malcolm reminisced.

Malcolm said in the last conversation he had with Spencer about two Fridays ago his words were: “‘Tuesday I will get you some money…you must behave yourself you know. the girl them’.”

“After that he couldn’t speak again; that is all I remember he said to me; I see him as the counselling preaching type… that’s him, always something to counsel you about, and he always called me his ‘bad pickny’…he taught me to drive properly, I really miss him .,” Malcolm told the Observer.

Former governor general Sir Howard Cooke, who was a friend and client of Spencer’s, yesterday greeted the news of his passing with surprise. “Oh Lord, Oh Lord, he passed”.

He, however, recouped to pay tribute to the man whom he said was one of the kindest he has ever met.

“During my time as governor general (14 and a half years) nobody else made a suit for me beside him. I have been one of his clients for a long time. He made all my suits. I have not met many people in Jamaica who have been that gracious and helpful. He is one of the kindest persons I have ever met,” Sir Cooke said.

“He is one of Jamaica’s philanthropist. An unusually kind person, most generous, he took young men and taught them. He was a master tailor himself and I have gone there many times to see persons who were pursuing tailoring come there to learn from him. He was a very generous person.

“Jamaica has lost a great man, he has been benefactor to many,” Sir Howard added.

Aside from outfitting dignitaries, Spencer’s tailoring establishment also produces uniforms for the staff of several companies, among them Air Jamaica and the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN).

Spencer began his craft in September 1, 1965. According to Malcolm, ‘he was in the business till the last’.

Spencer is survived by widow Mavis and one son Errol Spencer.