The sun shone brightly and the mood was celebratory on the morning of Saturday, October 22, 2016, as family, friends and well-wishers gathered at James Hill Tabernacle Church, Clarendon, to pay their last respects to Lascelles Brandon Tapper (Daddy Tapper, Pappa Tapper, Maas Teddy, Old Ted), who had departed this life on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the ripe old age of 104 years and 7 months old.

The thanksgiving service for the life of Lascelles Tapper was officiated by Rev Alton Clarke, Rev Selwin Gray and Pastor Vernon Walters. The service started with the melodious sounds of

Amazing Grace from a flute skilfully played by his granddaughter, Trudy Coverdale. The twoBible readings were done by Shellie Marshall and Stephen Hamilton and the first three tributes from the family were done by Stephen Hamilton, Dr Jason Hamilton and Maximillian Tapper; all grandchildren of Lascelles.

The grandchildren spoke affectionately about both grandparents reminiscing on the wonderful times spent with them and the values they learnt.

Maximillian humorously rebuffed Stephen’s quip of being the first grandchild, by stating that yes, he was the second to last of the grandchildren, but he knew that his grandfather had loved them all equally.

Max, as he is affectionately called, spoke of the impact his grandfather had on his life. He stated that his grandfather showed warmth and affection, and was not ashamed to express his love by hugs and kisses, going against what was expected of a man.

For over 70 years Lascelles had a legendary love affair with his wife, Enid, who preceded him in death three years ago. In life, they were inseparable, and in death they were lovingly spoken of by the people who gave tributes.

Maxine Donovan, an adopted daughter; tried to ‘buck this trend’ when she performed in dramatic style two poems; Psalm 137 in honour of Daddy Tapper, and

The Bridge Keeper’s Story in honour of Mummy Tapper, who had recited this poem in the past on a number of occasions.

Other family tributes came from Pappa Tapper’s children, Gloria Tapper, Rebecca Marshall and Elizabeth Hamilton. Their tribute, read by Elizabeth Hamilton, was quite moving for it was written by their mother, when she had lost most of her memory through dementia. Despite forgetting most things, Enid was still able to recollect with great clarity and was able to express in writing the love and passion she shared with her husband, as it was indelibly imprinted in her mind and heart.

A tribute was done by John Junor, former minister of health, who spoke of the relationship he shared with the Tappers’ family from he was a child growing up; said their home was his home, and his home their home. He and Gordon Tapper travelled to school in the same car to start their educational journey at Morris Knibb Preparatory School in Kingston. He said the Tappers represented ultimate peace and love for one another and their community. Junor spoke of Lascelles love for cricket, which he said Tapper called a ‘game for gentlemen’.

Community tributes were done by Carmen Livermore, past principal of James Hill Primary School and organist at the thanksgiving service and Reynaldo Smith, JP, a 90-year-old friend of Lascelles.

Livermore said she found it difficult to speak of Mr Tapper without mentioning Mrs Tapper, who had been her teacher at James Hill Primary School and later in life became her co-worker, a very good friend and confidante. She credited Mrs Tapper for helping her to be the person she is today.

The tribute from Smith, read by a representative, described Lascelles Tapper as a humble and kind person who added virtue to the community of James Hill. It spoke of Mr Tapper’s love for children to the extent that, for nearly 40 years, he held Christmas treats for the children, which they eagerly awaited because there were always lots of ice cream and curry goat, and later a drive in the truck back to the nearest beach. Lascelles Tapper was a keen cricketer, a cane truck driver, and a first-class mechanic.

Before the eulogy was read by Gordon Tapper, Maxine Donovan recited the words of the song,

Love At First Sight; the song that Mr Tapper played on the church organ on the first day he met Enid Brown, who later became his wife.

Gordon Tapper spoke of the profound loss he felt when he received the news that his father had slipped away. He described his father as a gentle, kind man who loved everyone he came in contact with. He remembered being spanked only once by his father who used a rolled-up a newspaper and smacked him once on his bottom. Although he couldn’t recollect why he was spanked, he knew it must have been something terrible as his father believed in disciplining through love.

He described his Dad as an ‘A’ class mechanic, who could diagnose problems with a car or truck engine just by listening to the engine running. For a few years in the 40s, Tapper drove the Mayflower bus on the Christiana to Kingston route. After a few years, he bought his first truck and became a haulage contractor. One of his biggest customers was the then Blake’s Bakery in Borobridge ,which at the time was probably the biggest bakery in St Ann, Clarendon and Manchester. In addition to that he maintained the bakery’s fleet of bread vans.

Gordon Tapper recalled his dad’s love for cricket and remembered being taken at the age of about five to his first cricket match at Melbourne Park in Kingston.

Lascelles Tapper grew up in Borobridge, St Ann, but moved to Clarendon when he married Enid Brown. He became one of Clarendon’s great philanthropists as he gave to anyone who came and asked for help or money without counting the cost. The Tappers took children from off the street and sent them to high school or college. They sent several young ladies who worked at their home to England, Canada, and the United States so that they could better themselves.

Tapper was a well-loved person in James Hill and this was demonstrated on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 17, 2016. The community, led by Annie Belnavis, fund-raised and organised a candlelight vigil at sunset for their community heroes, Mr and Mrs Tapper. Lighted candles were placed on both sides of the road from the gate where they previously resided right to the steps of the Tabernacle Church; a distance of nearly 400m. At the church’s entrance, there was an outpouring of tributes by those who had braved the cold and wet evening to be present.

Lascelles Tapper, born on February 28, 1912, left behind children Gloria Tapper, Rebecca Marshall, Gordon Tapper, Elizabeth Hamilton, and Maxine Donovan. He has also left behind 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.