Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Birthday boy, Cecil Cornwall (left), cuts his cake with his two mothers - Retinella Pitter-Reid (adopted, centre) and Ruby Thompson.

WESTERN BUREAU:

A 'Fabulous-at-40 party' on the beach, the unveiling of a newly refurbished home, and a morning spent worshipping culminated three days of birthday celebration by Montego Bay hospitality guru, Cecil Cornwall.

The festivity started on Friday night, on the beach of Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, took shape at Cornwall's Brandon Hill residence, on Saturday night, and ended at the holy temple of Hillview Baptist Church, Albion, on Sunday morning.

Yes. It took three days for the Montego Bay businessman to celebrate a life filled with successes, family, friends, close friends, best friends and very special friends.

Scheduled to commence at 7:30 p.m., this party did not get into gear until 9:30 p.m., but when Cornwall went into first speed, Fab Five and Gem Myers were there ready to press the pedal.

All-white/African garb

The all-white/African garb affair was attended by 40 specially selected family members and friends, including Cornwall's two mothers - Ruby Thompson, his birth mother, and Retinella Pitter-Reid, the woman who nurtured him.

Friends from as far as China, Toronto, Newark, Baltimore, Boston and Kingston came out to support the birthday boy.

Defining role

In defining the role of those whom he chose as friends, Cornwall outlined skilfully how these persons had affected his life.

"Friends are the ones who have impacted my life positively because they meant well and negatively, because through their negative impact I have learnt.

"Close friends are those whose home you can show up unannounced with strangers.

"Best friends are the ones you have full autonomy in choosing.

"Very special friends are all I have said about friends plus a bond. These are persons I cry, laugh and converse, and share valuable and precious time with."

And yes, Cecil Cornwall did introduce his 'very special friend' to those in attendance, which included Rose Lee, Joan Dove, Pauline Haughton, Excelsior's Arlene Garrick, Dr. Nadine Scott, Pauline Samuda, Rose White, Omar Robinson and Joyce McKenzie.

Left: Birthday boy, Cecil Cornwall (left), cuts his cake with his two mothers - Retinella Pitter-Reid (adopted, centre) and Ruby Thompson.   Right: Round Hill's Omar Robinson and El Greco's Joan Dove groove the night away.