Instead, a feeling of happiness and appreciation prevailed at the Holiness Born Again Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic in Westgreen, St James, on Saturday, February 11, as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay tribute to the work and life of late firefighter Sergeant Nigel Washington Edwards Jr.

The theme for Edwards’ farewell became obvious even before the start of the four-hour-long thanksgiving service, when scores of firefighters — many of them Edwards’ colleagues — participated in a magnificent parade on the grounds of the Freeport Fire Station, much to the delight of mourners — a sight Edwards would undoubtedly approve.

And the procession, led by scores of firefighters, resplendent in their black tunic, and with bright red fire engines in tow, from the funeral home to the fire station and then to the church, was even more spectacular.Inside the church, the glowing tributes frequently sparked much laughter, as various speakers brought to the fore the humorous and witty side of the late beloved firefighter, who was blessed with a plethora of aliases — ‘Fireman,’ ‘Bam, Bam,’ ‘Eddie’, ‘Junior,’ ‘Wise One’, ‘Gela’ and ‘Wisey’.

“He [Edwards] had at least five to seven personalities wrapped into one… all of these personalities were characterised by mischief, his wicked sense of humour, and of course his acts of compassion and kindness,” his cousin Shamette Hepburn said in her glowing tribute.

“Our cousin Junior was driven and ambitious. He had ambition to last for years and years. He was always setting goals and working towards them. He had a tremendous desire to make his family happy and comfortable. He was never in competition with anyone, he was just interested in being the best Nigel Edwards,” added Hepburn.

She told the mourners that it came as no surprise when Edwards became a firefighter.

“As an infant, he and his siblings were rescued from a fire while their house burnt. And it makes perfect sense that he chose this career path to also selflessly help others,” Hepburn argued.

On December 24, 2001, Edwards joined the ranks of firefighters in the St James Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade after successfully completing basic recruit training at the Jamaica Fire Brigade Training School.

Seven years later, he was promoted to the rank of lance corporal, then to corporal in 2011. A year later, the promising fighter was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

“Additionally, Nigel had been assigned to act as a district officer on occasions, having been successful in promotional examination for progression to the rank,” said Dolfin Doeman, the superintendent at the St James Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Doeman said the late firefighter — who reportedly died of a heart attack while on the job on January 15 at the age of 36 — is sadly missed.

“His passing has left us all deeply saddened. His time spent with the Jamaica Fire Brigade is indeed memorable. He was a unique individual who brought his own brand of camaraderie, friendship and team work. For all of us it was a privilege to have worked with him, and to have shared a part of his life. We will miss his distinct laughter, his witty remarks, his gamesmanship and his competitive spirit,” said Doeman, stressing that “Nigel had the potential to progress to the highest echelon of the brigade.”

Edwards’ colleague Shamir Brown, the fourth vice-president of the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officer, told the gathering that the fallen fireman became a delegate of the Union in a bid to ensure that the rights of firefighters were respected.

“He [Edwards] was articulate, well-spoken and shared many jokes,” Brown told the congregation.

Edwards’ niece Chardonnae Parkins in her tribute, described her uncle as “a problem solver”.

“He created a mood of comfort and happiness. Uncle Junior was like a second father to me. His legacy will live on,” she promised.

Edwards’ wife Marla in paying tribute to her late husband urged the mourners to “keep a piece of Eddie in your heart and remember the joyous things about him.”

“He was an excellent husband and a great father,” she stressed.

Edwards’ longtime friend Rev Gawayne Johnson had the mourners in stitches during his tribute, as he recalled many fun moments they both shared.

“Junior was a friend. He was the king of gimmicks; he was jovial; you could not be depressed around him. I am proud to have known him,” Johnson expressed.

Edwards’ sister Karleyer Edwards, in her memoir of her brother, described him as “witty”, “sneaky”, and a “most remarkable person”.

“No one will ever replace him. We will never forget him. He was a very proud father, loved his job and spoke highly of the brigade. The brigade did him well,” she stressed.

She also lauded the brigade for its support during the time of their bereavement.

“The brigade has been very supportive. The Jamaica Fire Brigade, Mr [Dolfin] Doeman, Mr Rudolph Seaton… you have been a shoulder for us, and we appreciate it.”

Several other glowing tributes were paid to Edwards whose remains were later interred at Hillview Memorial Park, Moore Park, St James.