Courtney Oliver Dunbar, fondly known as “Joey”, was a dedicated friend and selfless family man who always sought to improve the lives of those around him.

The thanksgiving service for the life of Courtney Dunbar was held on Saturday, September 16 at the Meadowbrook United Church in Kingston. Scores of family members, well-wishers and friends gathered to pay their final respects.

Dunbar, formerly of Lebar & Associates as well as Kingston Terminal Operators Limited, passed away at the age of sixty-four (64) on August 27, after an extended period of illness.

Heading the tributes at the service to celebrate his life, pastor and childhood friend Gilon Callum described Dunbar as a “dedicated friend and family man”. Callum, who as a child lived three houses down from the Dunbars’ residence, recalled his friend ‘Joey’ as a skilled footballer who would constantly get the better of all his companions on their little community dirt pitch in Dunoon Park, which they named “The Little Wembley” in an amusing comparison to England’s famous 90,000-capacity stadium.

Ayesha and Tamara Dunbar, two of Dunbar’s four children, also added their share to the tributes – describing their father as an “exemplary and easygoing man” who was their “real-life superhero”. Tamara spoke fondly of her father, remembering him as “a man whose warmth and personality made him ever-welcoming and approachable” – traits which she explained made him the “cool dad” whom all her friends enjoyed conversing with on a wide range of topics.

Ayesha praised her father for the constant kindness he displayed during his life and also for being a well-rounded parent. She revealed that whenever he collected her and her siblings from school in his Lada motorcar, he would always offer to take her classmates home – if they had no ride – even if they lived far from his neighbourhood.

They also mentioned his stricter side, recalling his insistence that they attend church services every Sunday, come rain or come shine.

Describing her brother as a “heavenly treasure in an earthly vessel made in God’s image”, Christine Dunbar told the congregation that “Joey was an instrument in God’s hand used to shape the destinies of many people.”

In her reflection she shared stories of what her childhood was like growing up with her older brother.

“Joey helped to shape me into the woman that I am today. He was responsible for picking me up at school and making sure I got home safely to our house in Hughenden, but he would often make several stops on the way before going home” – a practice which she said was quite annoying to her at the time. “However, I now have to make several stops to meet clients each day as this is a part of my livelihood as a consultant, and all thanks to Joey, I was already used to it before I began.”

Christine Dunbar continued to speak glowingly of her brother, commending him for his dogged determination to build a beautiful home for his family on a plot of land located on a heavily wooded hillside: “Only someone like Joey could envision such a beautiful home coming from the covers of pure bush.”

She also had words of encouragement for those sitting in the pews of the Meadowbrook United Church: “You may be going through hard times, but I invite you to keep dreaming as Courtney did; you may discover a difficult hillside on your journey, but as Courtney saw his vision and kept his focus on it, so should we all strive to be in our daily lives,” she said with a smile.

Officiating Minister the Reverend Norman Francis continued the cheerful atmosphere of the service. Describing Dunbar’s funeral as a celebration of thanksgiving for his life, the minister encouraged the congregation to take heart and look to Jesus in their times of trouble.

Courtney Oliver Dunbar is survived by Alphea, his wife of over 40 years, daughters Tamara, Ayesha and Annalee, and son Oliver.

Dunbar was laid to rest at the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens.