MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The sudden death of his father, his wife, one of his children, struggling business ventures and health challenges that slowed his pace, were among hurdles David George Haughton Browne had to navigate on his earthly journey.

However, when the 82-year-old, who passed away last month, was remembered at a thanksgiving service at Mandeville Parish Church (St Mark’s Anglican) on Friday, April 12, his enthusiasm for life, even in his later years, stood out.

“Uncle D enjoyed his life to the fullest,” said his nephew, Alexander Browne in his remembrance as he noted how he took pleasure in a sea bath, a swim at the pool, a game of dominoes, was “light on his feet” as a dancer, and was known as a “scotch man” before a heart condition made liquor an occasional treat.

He said that his uncle always had a phrase that became his popular way to greet others, and was known to gleefully recite some Jamaican rhymes.

“Gung Hee Fatt Choy was the most popular one (phrase) in recent years, said to greet all and sundry, whether or not it was close to Chinese New Year. He also favoured some Jamaican rhymes, such as ‘Rain a fall, breeze a blow,’ I won’t finish that — for when it was raining. Or when waking his son up for school, throwing open the louvres and gleefully reciting, ‘Rise and shine, the fault is not mine, don’t blame me, blame Massa John, because…and then tickling his feet,” his nephew said in the reflection.

David Browne’s son, now Jamaica Observer’s Business Editor Richard Browne, is one of his three children.

His daughter Alice works mostly in the charity sector in England and his other daughter, Elizabeth predeceased him when she died as a baby. He has two grandchildren — one from each of his children still alive.

Browne also lost his wife, Jennifer, unexpectedly when she succumbed to an asthma attack, and when he was 21-years-old his father died of heart failure on an overseas trip to England.

It was the sudden passing of his father which directed his career, as he and his brother John took over the management of Barton Isle, a 3,000-acre cattle farm in St Elizabeth that he operated.

However, they were reportedly forced to sell it eventually to the Government below market value, because it was declared as “idle land”.

He was engaged in other business ventures, which could not be sustained for different reasons, before having to seek employment — including close to 15 years spent at J Wray and Nephew’s Appleton Estate, retiring in 2004.

Browne, who is said to have been well known and liked, particularly in Manchester and St Elizabeth, had an initial interest in architecture and though he did not take it on as his career, found opportunities to get involved in building projects.

According to his remembrance, he was an avid supporter of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“In a small way, he worked to help raise funds for the JLP in the run-up to the 1976 election and again for the 1980 campaign. David continued to work in the background for the JLP, helping his neighbour and friend James Adlam to run for local government elections,” it read.

Reading the newspaper is a pastime Browne was known for, keen on articles from writers like Morris Cargill who was a columnist in his earlier years, and often discussing the politics of the day with friends.

The deCarteret College Preparatory and Munro College old boy spent his retirement in Mandeville.

David Browne’s cremated remains were laid to rest with his wife at the cemetery on the parish church grounds.

The Very Reverend Barrington Soares said in his sermon at the service, preceding the burial, that when what is happening in the world and “end times” is contemplated, one must have a vision of hope.

“That hope is to put our trust in God. We can ensure we have the hope of resurrection,” he said.

Offerings were taken towards church outreach.