MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Lay Magistrates Association of Jamaica (LMAJ) Manchester Chapter recently honoured retired Custos Dr Gilbert Allen and his wife Georgia for their “epic” 17 years of service to parishioners.

Allen’s tenure as custos rotulorum of Manchester ended last year.

The citation read at a well-attended Sunday afternoon appreciation function for the couple listed accomplishments, which included commissioning Jamaica’s current Governor General Sir Patrick Allen as a Justice of the Peace in 2003 and the establishment of the Gilbert and Georgia Allen Education Trust.

An overview of the Trust at the function, which was held at the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist Church, revealed that there was close to $4 million in a special National Commercial Bank account which is accruing interest. The target is reportedly $10 million. In September this year, the first disbursement was reportedly made to seven needy students at the primary and high school levels.

Sir Patrick, who was in attendance at the function honouring the influential couple, commended Dr Allen for the “exemplary life” he led which made him worthy of serving as custos.

“This devoted doctor never turned away a needy patient. His unassuming personality endeared him to people across every stratum of society. He treated everyone with respect and it was clear that he earned the trust of those with whom he interacted. This did not begin with his appointment as custos; rather, it was because of the exemplary life that he lived and his well-known care and concern for people, especially the neediest and the most vulnerable, which influenced his designation as custos in 1994. In more ways than one he proved to be a great role model for the custodes,” the governor general said.

Sir Patrick said on occasions when he had to be away from the island, Dr Allen deputised for him and was always mindful of the correct protocols in carrying out his duties as he was determined to ensure maximum respect for the Office.

In response to the accolades showered on him, the former custos expressed gratitude to those who had organised the function. Dr Allen said he and his wife had struggled with illness over the last year and they were thankful they had recovered and were back in Jamaica. He also hailed his wife for her support over the years.

“I am pleased that this function honours Georgia as much as it honours me. For the better part of my life, she has stood with me and for me. (She) has played a huge part (in) our success and accomplishments. We present ourselves as living testimonies of God’s goodness,” he said.

Dr Allen outlined a number of unfinished plans which he had nurtured for Mandeville’s development.

“I have been successful in acquiring nine-and-a-half acres of land adjacent to Newport to accommodate a police station, library, medical centre, playfield and other amenities. With the help of (Senior Resident Magistrate in Manchester Oswald) Burchenson, we have acquired 40 acres of land near Mandeville for the erection of a state-of-the-art Regional Justice Centre for Clarendon, St Elizabeth and Manchester. It is our dream that one day the restored courthouse will become the parish museum and that court will be held in the new justice centre; that the Mandeville market and the Mandeville Primary and Junior (High) School be moved out of Mandeville, decreasing the press of traffic and improving order and cleanliness of the town. For the same reasons, we hope that citizens will continue to oppose the erection of a new secondary school at Villa Road Primary School,” he said.

Dr Allen added: “When these dreams and initiatives have been fulfilled, we will have a legacy to leave.”