Some men are born into leadership. Denver Frater, chief security officer for National Commercial Bank Jamaica Limited (NCB), stepped into it when life gave him no other choice.

Denver was a teenager when he heard the words that would shape the course of his life: “Papa, you ah the man ah the house now.” His mother said it with quiet certainty at his father’s graveside, her voice steady despite the grief. At just 15, boyhood was set aside — there were three siblings to help care for, and no time to ease into adulthood. Determined to support his family, Denver applied to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) cadet programme a month later.

At 17, Denver moved from rural Trelawny to join the JCF in Kingston. Stretching his modest stipend, he sent almost every cent to his family back home. That early sense of responsibility shaped the kind of father he would become for his three sons and daughter.

Raynard, Denver’s second-born, reflects on how his father’s purpose-driven life laid the foundation for a legacy built on love, discipline, and strength.

Style Observer (SO): Tell us about your dad.

Raynard Frater (RF) :Pops came from humble beginnings. He rarely spoke of his setbacks, not because he was ashamed, but because he was too focused on moving forward. To him, failure wasn’t an option. He has an unmatched eye and ear for detail. You might think he doesn’t know something, but he does. He’s always quietly gathering facts. Even though he’s a serious man, he knows how to light up a room with a great story or joke.

(SO): What song reminds you of him?

(RF): Bob Marley’s Who the Cap Fit reminds me of him. It’s one of his all-time favourites. Other than being a great song, I think it was one of the many ways he was teaching us to stay alert, read people carefully, and protect your space.

SO: What’s a lesson you didn’t appreciate until you got older?

RF: Pops was always telling us to remain calm. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, especially when you have brothers and want to fight it out. I remember going to the beach with him and his colleagues. There was a man around us smoking marijuana. His colleagues were aggressive, telling the man to put it out, but Pops took the man aside and spoke to him. By sitting down and getting to know his story, it defused the situation, and the man put out the joint. In my job, sometimes customers get upset, but I stay calm because I remember Pops’s example.

SO: How did your dad’s relationship with money influence yours?

RF: He was strict about money, except when it came to food. That was his splurge for us. Everything else was about saving. I didn’t appreciate it then, but now as a parent, I get it. He struck a balance. We had our treats and outings, but he always made sure we understood the value of a dollar: Never spend what you aren’t capable of losing and invest in ventures that will reap returns.

SO: Tell me about a time your dad showed up for you when it really mattered.

RF: It was one of my first football matches in primary school. I wasn’t sure he’d make it because of how demanding his job was. But just as the game was about to start, I saw him watching me from the car. He couldn’t stay for the whole game, but knowing he showed up gave me the extra edge to win. It was a reminder that he would always be there.

SO: What’s the proudest your dad has ever been of you and how did you know?

RF: It’s not one big moment, but several little ones. I can see that he’s proud about how I raise my kids and provide for them. I can see it in his eyes whenever he’s around them. It’s a nod and a smile, and a look that says, “You’re doing good, son.” And for a man like him, that says everything.

SO: What did you learn from your father that you’re passing down to your children?

RF: To be observant of your surroundings. Not everyone that stands with you is your friend. Pops taught me to be kind but cautious, and I want my children to learn that, too.

SO: If your children wrote a letter to future-you, what would you want it to say?

RF: I’d want it to say I gave them the courage to be themselves. That I didn’t just tell them but showed them how to walk in the world with confidence. And most of all, that they never once doubted how deeply they were loved.

SO: If you could relive one ordinary day with your dad, what would it look like?

RF: It would be one of those simple afternoons in the kitchen with me doing the cooking, and him insisting it only tasted good because it was his pot and his seasoning. We’d eat way too much (as usual), laugh even more, and somewhere between bites, he’d start challenging my thinking like he always does. He is always pushing me to see further, aim higher, and never get too comfortable.

SO: June is Father’s Month. What do you want your dad to know?

RF: Pops, your actions speak louder than words. I see how much you shouldered so that we could walk a little lighter. Now that I am older, I appreciate our man-to-man conversations. Know that they never fall on deaf ears. I understand them and appreciate you. Thank you, Pops.

Raynard Frater (centre) is flanked by his brother, Denver Frater Jr (left), and father, Denver Frater, after his wedding celebration.

From rural roots to executive ranks, NCB Chief Security Officer Denver Frater leads a purpose-driven life for his family. (Photo: Paul Mullings)