SIMPSON

Former Gleaner columnist and racing commentator, Vernal Lloyd Simpson, passed away on Saturday morning at his Elizabeth Avenue residence, Constant Spring Gardens, after a long illness. He was 80.

A diabetic, Simpson had been ailing for some time and was hospitalised at the Andrews Memorial Hospital and subsequently the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) for the past month.

His condition worsened, however, and following his release from the UHWI's intensive care unit last week Tuesday, succumbed to his illness at 9:10 a.m. on Saturday.

Born In Spanish Town, 'V. Lloyd' or 'Simmo', as he was popularly called, attended Beckford and Smith High School (renamed St. Jago) in Spanish Town before joining the civil service.

He studied tax administration in England during the early 1960s and rose to the rank of assistant commissioner of income tax before retiring from the Income Tax department in 1979.

Keen sportsman

A keen sportsman, Simpson played Division I football for Kensington in the late '40s and early '50s.

Internationally, he was an ardent supporter of Italy and backed his team to win the World Cup last summer, and was elated when Italy obliged. He also loved cricket and was a devoted fan of West Indies captain, Brian Lara.

But perhaps his greatest love was for horse racing. He wrote a weekly racing column in The Gleaner between 1995 and 2003 and was a leading tipster for many years as well, winning the Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) competition in 1998 with most winners.

Blessed with a probing mind and great sense of humour, Simpson wrote a weekly column every Friday for eight unbroken years on the editorial page of The Gleaner, commenting on social and political issues before it was discontinued in 1991.

He is survived by four children (all abroad), other relatives and friends. The funeral for Simpson will be announced at a later date.

- O.C.