MORTIMER Elliot Lincoln Geddes, affectionately known as ‘Tino’, was not a pretentious man and the throng of mourners who turned up at the Unity Church of Jamaica in Kingston last Saturday, left their pretences at home.

The thanksgiving and celebration of the life of the veteran journalist was one with a difference. While tears flowed, their was an absence of hollering as most seemed to have resigned themselves to the reality that the great man who walked among mere mortals was resting comfortably after a ten-year battle with cancer.

The service begun with an open session of tributes from Geddes’ colleagues and friends and for sure it was as colourful as the shirts Geddes was fond of wearing.

Head of the RJR Communications Group Gary Allen, paid tribute to Geddes’ journalistic prowess and praised his versatility.

Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports was also full of praise for the man who impacted the lives of all those he came in contact with.

His close friend Mark Wignall delivered the eulogy and described Geddes as a special person with whom he shared a special relationship.

“Tino and I met in the early nineties and immediately we hit it off,” he said.

The tributes section was livened up somewhat when Geddes when Observer senior photo editor turned harmonica player Michael Gordon accompanied by musician extraodinaire Ibo Cooper on keyboards, delivered a heart-warming rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

“I chose this song because I know that Tino lived his life his way and I am only glad that I went to look for him when he was running the last lap. We shared many memorable moments together,” Gordon told Life Tributes afterwards.

Tributes also flowed from Public Defender Earl Witter, talk show host Jerry Small and a host of Jamaicans of all ages and from all walks of life.

After the tributes from friends and colleagues ended, it was time for Geddes’ family members to honour their esteemed relative.

Yolande Geddes-Hall, sister and with whom Geddes resided during his last days, gave an emotional tribute to a brother who she said she dearly loved.

Tino’s son Dwight and his sisters Wendy and Marlene Palmer-Miller all remembered their father as a giant among men who had done his part in making them into productive members of society.

Another sister Dr Anne-Maria Bankay and her son Kamal were also doting in their offerings in memory of one of Jamaica’s great sons.

When the tributes were over the Rev Dr Phyllis Green gave a brief sermon to bring the curtains down on what must be remembered as a thanksgiving service with a difference.