A World War two veteran with a military stature but also a man of gentleness and sincerity was how Carlton Newton Petgrave was described by family and friends at his thanksgiving service.

The Kingston Parish Church saw a number of Petgrave’s loved ones and well-wishers coming out to pay their final respects on Friday, January 22, to a man that was hailed as a devoted Christian stalwart.

Petgrave, who was born on September 6, 1918 in Kingston, lived a life of service, giving of his time and efforts especially to the Kingston Parish Church as well as the Loyal Mizpah Lodge, where he had held devout membership in both for numerous years.

He was also remembered as an avid cyclist and a gentle giant and was attributed by his niece, Joan Williams, as a man of spirit, stature, service and swag.

Williams said that the peace and joy associated with being in the right relationship with the Lord was always evident on her uncle’s countenance and that he made a distinct difference in how he lived his life and related to people.

“When I think of his stature, I recall him not just being a physically tall and good-looking man, but he also stood head and shoulders above many in the community. Things changed when Uncle Carlton rode in on his bicycle. For me as a child, it was special time of day, because I knew that he would be bringing home soft drinks from D&G,” Williams recalled in her tribute.

Petgrave was also hailed by his niece as a family man who was a faithful husband to his wife and a provider for his children, a sentiment that was also reiterated in his remembrance which was done by Petrgave’s daughter-in-law, Ann.

She also highlighted that the war veteran was a cabinet -maker by trade, having made most of the furniture in his home and was a devoted usher/altar server, having served in the post for 62 years at the Kingston Parish Church.

“He gave advice and prayer to many persons, especially before Common Entrance Exams, before going for job interviews…the world is most definitely a better place because of him,” Ann stated.

Petgrave’s devotion was said to have extended outside the walls of his church and community as he was described as an ardent and dedicated member of the Mechanics Order of Jamaica Limited, having been initiated in the Loyal Mizpah Lodge No 4 in 1955.

This would mark a prolific start on a journey that would see the military veteran being elevated to numerous posts within the organisation over the years.

“He served the lodge in various offices and can be remembered as a very alert chaplain who could find a scripture for every situation,” Mizpah Lodge member, George Beckford, stated in his tribute.

“His hard work did not stop him from serving his church so much so that the members of the Loyal Mizpah Lodge had to take away his bicycle when they saw it was no longer safe for him to ride to the Kingston Parish Church. Brother Petgrave has run his race, fought a good fight, he has finished his course and now he is gone to be at rest safe in the arm of Jesus,” Beckford concluded.

The officiating priest for the service at the Kingston Parish Church, the Rev Fr Louis Hurst, preceded his sermon with his own experiences with Petgrave, stating that he was a dapper individual who was at first glance quite formidable.

Hurst said Petgrave’s veteran status resulted in his military bearing and no-nonsense mannerisms, but one would be led to discover that beyond his military bearing was a helpful and loving family man.

Following the sermon, the Holy Communion was served, after which Petgrave was given his final rite of commendation.

The devout Christian and World War Two veteran was then taken to be laid to rest at the Jamaica Defence Force, Briggs Park Cemetery at Up Park Camp in Kingston.