By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterDR. ROYSTON Clifford, former Chief Government Pathologist, died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 68.
Dr. Clifford was taken to Andrews Memorial Hospital, Hope Road, St. Andrew, yesterday morning after complaining of feeling ill. He later died of a heart attack, Carmen, his wife, said.
Dr. Clifford, who operated the Spanish Town Funeral Home, Spanish Town, St. Catherine, served up to his death as a part-time lecturer in forensic medicine at the Norman Manley Law School, UWI, Mona.
"It is so sad. I don't know what to say. I can't believe he's gone," said Mrs Clifford, who would have celebrated with him their 28th wedding anniversary on March 27. Dr. Clifford also leaves two children, Robert and Sarah, and two stepchildren, Vernon and Michelle.
"He was a family man. He made sure everything is in the house. He was very dedicated to his work. He knew his work," she said.
Dr. Winston Davidson, president of the Public Health Doctors' Association and a former president of the Association of General Practitioners, expressed shock at Dr. Clifford's death.
"It is regrettable. He had so much to offer. I know he was an extremely hard worker. He knew his subject matter. I had a lot of confidence in his knowledge of his subject matter," said Dr. Davidson, who had known Dr. Clifford through professional association for more than 15 years.
YEOMAN SERVICE
Dr. Clifford started out as a general practitioner be/fore focusing on forensic medicine. His interest eventually led him to the then Ministry of National Security and Justice, which the Consultant Forensic Pathologist joined in 1985 as director of the Legal Medicine Unit.
He served almost two decades in the post and conducted autopsies which had impact on many well-known cases, including several questionable shootings involving the police.
His stint with Government ended in March under controversy linked to concerns raised by human rights groups, which complained that Dr. Clifford was reluctant to allow independent pathologists to observe and take notes at autopsies conducted by government pathologists.
