FALMOUTH, Trelawny — There was much to smile and laugh about last Saturday when scores of people from all walks of life gathered at the St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church here to bade final farewell to former chartered accountant and Kiwanian Oliver ‘Zolly’ Lotha.

“Zolly was very reliable and had a passion for serving. His generosity knew no boundaries,” Kiwanian Robert Moo-Young told the packed church, in one of the many tributes.

Lotha, who is also a former member of Jaycees, served the Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport in various capacities.

A distinguished past president of the club, he was named Kiwanian of the year in 2008.

But it was not only on the service clubs that Lotha had left his indelible mark.

Archibald Campbell, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ), described Lotha as a dynamic and outstanding leader, a valued colleague and friend.

“Oliver proudly served as our liaison in the Western region, especially in Montego Bay, where he actively promoted and assisted in furthering the objectives of the institution,” he said.

He added that Lotha’s service to the institution and the accountancy profession will always be remembered.

“He has left us a legacy of service and good work which will continue to inspire us as accountants,” Campbell said.

Lotha’s partner, Egbert Brown, who spoke on behalf of the staff of AD Accounting, described his former colleague as a very kind and humorous person, who possessed a walking reservoir of knowledge on history and on music of all types.

“Oliver was a fun person. He knew how to enjoy himself. He loved a good session — gospel or secular,” added Brown during his tribute which elicited much laughter from the congregation.

Meanwhile, Lloyd Hamilton, a past president of the Montego Bay Cricket Club, described Lotha as one of the kindest and loving persons to ever grace the cricket club.

“Whenever he entered the club, he always brought a smile and witty comments. He was well loved and very honest,” said Hamilton.

Glowing tributes were also delivered by Lotha’ s former school mate Effigy White, friends Lyndon Wright and Patrick Chin.

Sixty-year-old Lotha died in Florida, USA, on June 3 after a long battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy and daughter Taylor.