Dear Editor,

A unique person with exceptional human touch has been obliterated from the landscape of Jamaica with the death of former associate vice-president of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Professor Patrick George Smith.

He was one who gave his all to build human capacity, and despite the noble positions that he occupied, this humanity-centred man walked the hills and remote communities across the island to impart concepts for human transformation.

I first met Professor Smith in 2008 at a primary school in south Manchester, where he was guest presenter at an empowerment session for students. He awed his audience with his philosophy that “no one was destined for defeat” in the quest for a good life, and more importantly, those students who were from disadvantaged backgrounds, he took them aside and assured them that education attainment was their safest vehicle to meaningful success.

There are many people who ascended the corporate ladder and made great strides in their various professional fields who owe their success to this great man, who built individuals through his community endevours and NCU communication classes.

The greatest ambassador for NCU, after Dr Herbert Thomson, was the late Professor Smith, and if he had headed that university and institutions to which he was loyal, like the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) of Seventh-day Adventists, Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists, then a culture of pretty attire and beautiful talks, with little concern about the growth of humanity, would not be centre stage as it is today in the movement.

Professor, you did well in your short stay on this Earth, and you have left many who are well emersed in giving selfless service to nation and community, doing what is acceptable in the sight of the Almighty, even when no one of note sees the work and worth of good deeds. Your life was well lived, and you gave it for your country and your church.

As we mourn your passing, we do so with hope for a better world filled with love and compassion, the very one you taught us to create, and we will try to be comforted by these words from poet Joey Beighley: “Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles. I’ve only gone to rest for a while. Although my leaving causes pain and grief, my going has eased my hurt and given me relief. So dry your eyes and remember me, not as I am but as I used to be. Because I will remember you all and look on with a smile. Understand in your hearts, I’ve only gone to rest a while. As long as I have the love of you, I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.”

Garfield L Angus

garfieldangus@gmail.com