LUCEA, Hanover — Tributes continued for the late Custos Rotulorum of Hanover, Dr David Stair, during a recent sitting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation, where councillors and agencies led the charge.

The long-standing and dedicated public servant was found dead at his home in Pond Piece, Hopewell, in Hanover on February 5.

While Stair was living in the eastern end of the parish, he was originally from Animal Hill in the western end of the parish. Animal Hill is located between the communities of First Hill and St Simon. The area obtained its name as a symbol of the families who were living there at the time, whom all had surnames reflecting those of animals. Among the families are the Stairs, the Mairs and the Hogs.

Mayor of Lucea, Sheridan Samuels, said that several people who grew up in Hanover saw Stair, who temporarily left his community to pursue his studies to become a doctor, as a role model.

“We heard about Dr Stair– he was one of our mentors in really going forward within this parish and the town itself to know that one of our local boys was really studying at the university to become a doctor. And, we were proud of that,” stated Mayor Samuels.

Samuels also spoke of the prominent Stair family, who operated the once-popular entertainment venue in the parish, “Long Acre on the Rocks.” He said that Stair had had an interest in the environment and addressing the ills of society.

For her part, Deputy Mayor of Lucea, Andria Dehaney Grant, who is the chair of the Civic and Community Affairs Committee of the Hanover Municipal Corporation, reiterated the good working relationship that they shared. She noted that Stair had the people’s best interests at heart.

“He was indeed a very dedicated resident of the parish who only wanted the best for the people of the parish; and so, today, I am heartbroken, and express condolences on behalf of all the residents of the Sandy Bay division, who I know are all heartbroken as well,” relayed Dehaney Grant, who is also the councillor for the Shandy Bay Division (People’s National Party).

Councillors Lennox Fray of the Hopewell division, Brian Chambers of the Lucea division, Daren Barnes of the Riverside division, and Wynter McIntosh of the Chester Castle division also spoke about the custos‘ personality, passion for the parish, commitment to improving the lives of the people, and contributions to good health care and family life. They also described him as a man of social and intellectual substance.

Councillor for the Green Island division, Marvell Sewell, pointed to free medical clinics that the late doctor held for residents within his division. The dedicated, devoted, and well-respected medical doctor has worked with the Hanover Health Department (HHD) since 1997. At the time of his death, he was working part-time at the Sandy Bay Health Centre in the parish.

Medical Officer of Health for Hanover, Dr Kaushal Singh, said Stair was someone who was willing to help solve whatever problems that may occur in the health department. Singh added that the custos’ death was a tremendous loss to the health sector.

“As we pay tribute and respect to him here at our municipal meeting, words cannot express our loss of this individual. Let us not mourn as if there is no hope, as I am sure he would not want that attitude,” stated Singh.

The custos, who had a calm and humble demeanour, performed his civic and official duties with distinction, humility, and integrity. A strong advocate for mediation, he was on the Hanover Mediation Centre board.

Stair succeeded Mavis King as custos after being installed by the Governor-General on May 7, 2009.

The custos’ funeral service is expected to take place during the first week of March.

– Anthony Lewis