RETIRED cop Benjamin Alexander Whyte, was remembered as an man who had all his faculties intact although he lived to be 104 years old.

A thanksgiving service celebrating his life was held at the North Street Seventh-Day Adventist Church located in Downtown, Kingston last Saturday.

Whyte died on December 18, last year.

He retired from active duty in the Jamaica Constabulary Force 45 years ago.

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington in a tribute read by Force Chaplain Assistant Commissioner Bishop Dr Gary Welsh, hailed Whyte for the leadership skills he possessed during the 38 years he served his country.

Ellington outlined Whyte’s career path in the force which began 84 years ago when he was a young man of 21 years.

Ellington said Whyte exerted great influence on numerous members of the police force, including those who enlisted decades after his retirement.

“From our records, we have determined that Benjamin Whyte was the oldest person alive who served the Jamaica Constabulary Force (at the end of 2012),” Welsh said in the interim of the tribute on behalf of Commissioner Ellington.

“As Commissioner of Police, I feel a sense of personal loss when we lose a member and in particular, one who has contributed so much to the rich history and culture of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. I am leading the mourning rituals and the entire police fraternity joins me in extending condolences to the immediate family of our departed colleague,” Ellington’s tribute read.

Sergeant Jacqueline Brown, General Secretary of the Jamaica Police Federation, remembered interacting with Whyte on numerous occasions before his transition, had similar sentiments.

She said although Whyte retired on medical grounds on April 6, 1967, he never died by a bullet nor did he die on a medical premise. He seemed to have been a man who held numerous remedies for the survival of mankind she said.

“Mr Whyte showed us that God’s plans cannot be altered any at all. If he was alive, I would ask him one question that is ‘What is your secret to life? His (God’s) plan is different,” Brown said.

According to her, four years ago, when she and her colleagues joined together and hosted a centenarian birthday celebration for Whyte, he had a glowing memory of his days serving as a second and first class constable.

“What was so striking about this gentleman was that, on his 100th birthday he remembered everything from many years ago. He remembered the Jamaica Constabulary Force like it was yesterday. That was a gift that God gave to him. You and I can’t even remember where we put our belt,” she said before laughing about the situation along with the mourners.

“When you’re at a game of cricket and when you’re at 50 runs, you can say, ‘Yes, I am doing well’. My God, when you are at 104, that calls for celebration,” she added.

In addition to his centennial birthday celebration, members of the JCF renovated his dwelling house in East Kingston where he lived prior to his death.

Head of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), Paul Clementson, Whyte’s grandson, said he and his siblings were always excited when they were offered time to spend with their grandfather.

“Indeed Grandpa meant a lot to us. Grandpa meant freedom, because there was never a strap around our back. Being with him, we had to be well behaved. Grandpa meant good food, because Grandpa could cook well; finger licking good. Grandpa meant good health. He had a home remedy for everything,” he said as he reflected on the wonderful past times he spent with his grandfather.

Clementson added that academic excellence was priority when reporting to his grandfather of his process at school.

“Grandpa meant academic excellence, being dunce was not an option. You had to do well. You had to study,” he said.

Whyte, who lived in East Kingston before his death, was No 1030 on record of the JCF. He was born on February 28, 1908. He joined the constabulary on January 18, 1929 as a Second Class Constable. He was promoted to First Class Constable on January 7, 1943. He retired as a Corporal on April 6, 1967 on medical grounds.

His remains were interred at the Sunset Burial Park in St Andrew.