SANJAY Manley wore many hats at the August Town Primary School in St Andrew — teacher, football coach, and coordinator of grades five and six.

Now his passing on February 3 after an illness has left a void.

At a visit to the school Thursday, staff praised Manley’s ability to reach the hearts and minds of young people in the gritty, violence-prone community of August Town, encouraging them to strive for excellence and stay out of trouble.

According to Taneack Turner, a teacher at the school, Manley had an excellent rapport with the youth, which prompted many of them to turn up at a recent candlelight vigil, ignoring the fact that they would come face-to-face with people from warring factions in the divided community.

“He was not just a co-worker. He was a brother to me. He was a gem to the community. He saved many girls and boys from going down the wrong path. He loved football and they love football as well. He was a mentor to them. He had no children but he fathered many in the community. He didn’t isolate himself from people because of their background.

“He treated everybody fairly. There was a candlelight vigil last Saturday and what I realised was that guys from all corners of August Town came out. Some of them who are even from places in the community that are at war came here with us. When they learned of his passing, they said that something has to be done in the community for Mr Manley. Rest well, Mr Manley. This is a hard pill to swallow,” she said. She added that Manley was very instrumental in getting transfers for talented boys and girls to traditional high schools where they go on to perform well.

The school’s principal for roughly two years, Jennifer Solomon, described Manley, 44, as a national treasure, who was her advisor, having been employed to the institution from September 2001 until the time of his passing.

“He was my second. He was the person I could call on at any point in time to get an opinion on any matter. He was brilliant, resourceful and he was a dedicated and committed teacher who was always there to assist and it doesn’t matter what time of day or week.”

“He was our assessment coordinator, the supervisor for the librarian and the physical education teacher. He was a real sports person. He loved all aspects of sports, especially football and track and field. He loved the children and they loved him. His colleagues, the parents and the community love him. He will be greatly missed,” the principal said with a sad countenance.

Manley, according to guidance counsellor Herfa Curtis, was ill for some time and because his colleagues knew this, they always checked up on him. However, each time that asked how he was doing, his response was always that he’s well. According to Curtis, this proved his love and dedication to education, the children and nation building.

“It didn’t matter how sick he was. If you ask how he was doing, he would tell you that he’s well, even though he would be hurting. As big as he was in built, he was a humble fellow. We call him the gentle giant. He was an all-rounder, very talented and willing. He has a good rapport with every member of staff from the security, to the auxiliary worker to the cooks. Mr Manley was like a brother to all of us.

“Our school will be hosting a service at the Haven of Hope Open Bible Church at nine o’clock on Friday in August Town to honour him. It is not his funeral. The funeral has not yet been set. Because of the impact he made on this community, as the staff we saw it fit to put together this service in his honour.”