Some had lengthy verbal offerings, others covered the ground quickly, but speaker after speaker passionately heralded the life and work of late businessman Everoy Hugo Chin during a service of thanksgiving at the University Chapel, Mona, on Saturday, April 30.

Chin, former head of the Everoy H Chin Family of Companies which covers tourism, customs brokerage and freight forwarding, real estate development, retail sales, among other things, died on March 8 following hospitalisation. He was 83.

Leading the tributes was former Prime Minister P J Patterson, who described Chin –a former senior cricketer and Jamaica Boxing Board official – as “a son of the soil to the very core.

“There were no boundaries to the vision he pursued. His achievements were self-made and came the old-fashioned way. Through Christmas treats for children, back-to-school, health fairs, he alleviated the pressing needs of the people,” Patterson said.

“Failure was never an option, he had a strong work ethic, loyal, kind and considerate and once he was in your corner you were covered for life,” Patterson added by way of a video link.

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, through a message read by Chin’s long-time friend Leroy Brown, also lauded the deceased for his work in the sector, as he tried to provide for the people of St Mary through his Robin’s Bay Village and Beach Resort.

Fellow parliamentarians Robert Montague, MP for St Mary Western, and Dr Morais Guy, representative for St Mary Central, hailed Chin’s work, with Montague emphasising by quoting from the book of Proverbs while underscoring Chin’s contribution to education in the parish; and Dr Guy describing him as a maverick who hated bureaucracy.

Daughter Dr Tanya Chin Pyke, in delivering the eulogy, said Chin always supported his five children in their endeavours, and never missed an opportunity to visit them for school activities, and related recreational matters. “His impact has gone all over the world,” Dr Chin Pyke said.

Eldest daughter Jacqueline, who did the remembrance, told mourners that her dad had “left a legacy of service. We thank you for the sacrifices you made. You have earned your crown.

“My father had a lion heart with a roar that translated to better must come,” she said.

A tearful only son, Stephen, also related tales of his father’s passion for whatever he undertook.

“He loved to work on cars, but his primary objective was repairing and fixing the lives of people. My father believed in second chances, he believed in education,” stated Stephen Chin, as his presentation was interrupted by another round of tears.

The service was punctuated by deep musical offerings which resonated throughout the crowded church. Tenors Quincy Etinoff, Kevin Williams, Colin Titus, and DiMario McDowell thrilled the audience particularly with their renditions of the Holy City.

The Diocesan Festival Choir, conducted by Audley Davidson, also injected passion to the service, officiated by Rev Dr Richmond Nelson, and Rev Garwell Bacchus, and attended by scores of other prominent individuals, among them former MP and Cabinet minister A J Nicholson, Custos of St Mary Brigadier Errol Johnson, former Custos A A “Bobby” Pottinger, Dr Robeerto Eupena Jr, president of the Filipino Association of Jamaica, whose members Chin represented as that country’s honorary consul for several years; Donald Foster, former head of HEART Trust/NTA, and the Transport Authority; and veteran educator Dr Gossett Oliver.

Lessons were read by daughter Peta Kaye Chin, and Dr Nikeisha Okpara, his niece.

Chin’s remains were interred at the family plot, White Hall, St Mary.