Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer

A man of sheer dedication with a passion for excellence is how the late George Martin was remembered in tributes during his funeral Tuesday at the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church on Shortwood Road in St Andrew.

Martin, whose public-service career spanned 43 years and 10 months, served as chief personnel officer in the Office of the Services Commission from January 1, 1983 until his retirement on December 15, 1998.

Charles Jones, a former chief personnel officer who paid tribute to Martin on behalf of the Offices of the Services Commission, described his former boss as an affable person who always sought to help others who came in contact with him.

"He would listen and try to come up with solutions. He was quite firm when he made a decision, which did not always please everyone, but it was always taken after due consideration of the facts," recalled Jones, who worked with Martin for more than 35 years.

Public-service career

Martin started his public-service career as temporary clerk on February 14, 1955 in what was then known as the Colonial Secretary's Office, serving in several positions in what was to later become the Office of the Services Commission.

He is credited with revolutionising the face of human resources in the public sector with his implementation of modern human-resource practices.

Martin was inducted in the Order of Distinction (Commander class) in 1998.

Ralston Getfield, assistant circulation manager at The Gleaner, recalled his lifelong friend, who attended Mico Practising and later Excelsior High School, as an avid cricketer who idolised former West Indian cricketer Sir Frank Worrell.

Getfield said Martin, when not executing masterful shots on the cricket pitch, was also a partygoer who frequented Winchester Park on North Street, which was renowned for its parties back in the day.

"He had his special traits - whenever he touched his hair and tapped his chest at an event, we all knew what that meant. It signalled he was ready to leave and that it was time to go, and everyone had to follow," recalled Getfield, much to the congregation's amusement.

Martin, while never up to the usual pranks played by teenage boys, was seen as a take-charge person with a will to achieve - qualities he held up to his retirement.

"Although he walked and worked with persons in the corridors of power, he never lost the common touch, as he always helped to start other persons' careers," said Getfield.

Deacons Wilson Kong and Terrence Gillette were the officiating ministers at the service, which also featured musical tributes from Dwight Richards, Kempton Lewis and a group from the Office of the Services Commission.

philip.hamilton@gleanerjm.com