By Ainsley Walters, Staff Reporter
Winston Hylton (left) prepares a granite headstone while employee Colin Gaynair puts the finishing touch to decorative angels. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
THE ONLY certainties in life are death and taxes. That old saying underpins the success of a number of Jamaican businesses. Winston and Lynneth Hylton, proprietors of W. Hylton Marble Works for the past 30 years, chose the business of death.
Last July marked three decades since the Hyltons have been manufacturing headstones, still a vibrant business located at the corner of East and Barry Streets, downtown Kingston.
"I've been in the business for close to 40 years," said Winston, who started in the field with K.C. Rousseau back in 1961 at 41 Harbour Street.
"I just went there for a job and remained for seven years before migrating to Bermuda where I did construction," Hylton explained.
W. Hylton Marble Works was established in 1972 at 88 1/2 Tower Street, a block away from its present location.
Mr. Hylton, however, migrated to New York in 1978, spending 25 years working with American Monument Corporation, travelling back and forth while his wife managed the business at home.
Today, the Hyltons' business has become one of the most modern and recognised in its field, benefiting from Winston's years of overseas experience.
Hands-on bosses, the Hyltons have figured in several major jobs such as international reggae singer Dennis Brown's monument at Heroes Circle. Other notable jobs the Hyltons undertook were works remembering politician Frank Hill and entertainer Ranny Williams.
The changing burial trend of more bereaved families opting for burial parks instead of cemeteries, has impacted on the Hyltons' line of business.
"It has slowed the business," Lynneth explained. "There's no need for a headstone or tomb and the island's major burial park uses metal markers."
The need to adapt moved the Hyltons to start working with granite because the traditional marble is easily stained by red dirt.
"We went into granite, which comes in varying colours, to get some of that business but it's still slow," Winston pointed out. "We get most of our support from the traditional cemeteries."
Explaining his hands-on attitude, Hylton pointed to its sensitive nature.
"People come in here crying, still mourning," he said. "I want the job to be finished when they come to collect it. This is a very affectionate line of business and we have to work with them. It's almost like being an undertaker."
