Principal of Jamaica College (JC) Wayne Robinson said the passing of ace chemistry teacher Diego Hines has left a huge void in the lives of students and staff, especially those in the Chemistry Department.

Hines, the son of veteran Jamaica Observer journalist Horace Hines, passed away on December 26, 2022. He was 36. At his thanksgiving, which was held at the Falmouth Seventh-day Adventist Church in Trelawny earlier this month, Principal Robinson said Hines was single-handedly responsible for getting the boys at JC to love chemistry, a complicated subject for people to catch on to.

He said September would have been his 10th year as a chemistry “wiz teacher” who helped out the Mathematics Department whenever it became short-staffed.

“He taught some students who are now at university in Jamaica and abroad. They are in medicine, engineering, and computer science. These are boys who are destined to contribute to the country because of Diego Hines’ impact on them. Diego had a degree in chemical engineering and he brought that love for chemistry to the boys. I saw one young man outside earlier and he said, ‘Sir, he made me love chemistry.’ I must tell you that chemistry is not an easy subject to love. Diego’s students got either distinction or credits in external examinations.

“What a lot of my teachers didn’t know is that he taught maths at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level. He was dedicated to his students. There was no teacher more confident than Diego. He had passion and compassion. He was from a humble background and so he looked to the students from humble background and ensured they got a chance in life. I am gutted and lost. We are devastated,” Robinson said.

According to one friend who knew Hines well, “He was short but was really a good basketball player.” The friend shared that Hines also loved tennis and was an ardent fan of Argentine football star Lionel Messi.

“The basketball court was our public square where we would meet and play and talk about politics, stocks, music, football, and just about everything else. We debated a lot about basketball and football. I cherish the final moments with him. December 21 was the last day we saw each other and played together. That day he played exceptionally well. He couldn’t miss a basket. A part of us wishes to see him walk through the gate. His life was short but full. We are thankful to have met him,” the friend said.

Hines’ body was interred at Martha Brae Cemetery.