FALMOUTH, Trelawny –

Horace ‘Ted’ Underhill deserved the best. And as far as send-offs go, he got it last Saturday when scores of mourners crammed the William Knibb Baptist Church to pay their last respects to the late agriculturalist.

“He was an outstanding and brilliant agriculturalist who has lived an exemplary life,” said mayor of Falmouth, Colin Gager. “He epitomised the highest character of a true

role model, unselfish but stern and resolute in carrying out

his work.”

Underhill, who up to the time of his death served as chairman of the Trelawny Advisory Board of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), died at age 64 on October 2, after a brief illness.

Agriculture minister Dr Christopher Tufton, in his tribute, described Underhill as a “dedicated, committed and supportive person who was willing to share his experience with people”.

Up to the time of his death, Underhill, who served the agricultural sector for more than four decades, was very active in assisting RADA to improve the extension services to farmers in Trelawny.

His distinguished career in the agriculture sector began in 1967 when he was appointed agricultural extension officer for the parish of Trelawny, shortly after graduating

from the Jamaica School of Agriculture.

He was later promoted to divisional extension officer and then to parish agricultural manager for Trelawny.

He also served as agricultural parish manager for St Ann and St James.

He retired in 2005 and was last year appointed chairman of the Trelawny Advisory Board of RADA.