Cheerful 'Son' goes home

"For what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou should visit him?" That was the question asked by Laurel Doman prior to delivering the eulogy at the thanksgiving service for her late uncle, Wilbert Henry, on Saturday, August 28 at the Christiana Church of God in Manchester.

Henry, who passed away on August 13, was eulogised by Doman as an individual who was very business minded. He was also remembered as one who ran a thriving furniture business in the rural township of Spaldings in Clarendon during the early 1960s.

Son, as he was affectionately called, was born on December 16, 1937 to Lillian Nelson and Stanford Henry.

"He must have found favour and pride in his parents' eyes, for he was given the pet name Son, thereby affirming him as their own," said Doman.

She said that as a child Henry grew up in the environs of Spaldings and attended an elementary school there. She said that later in his life Henry's intellectual alertness allowed him to take advantage of several opportunities, among them being the United States farm work programme.

"Wilbert was characterised as a jovial individual, whose pranks would make the most serious person laugh. He enjoyed attending church meetings and was baptised in his younger years," said Doman.

Annette Cohen-Henry, daughter-in-law of the deceased, said Wilbert Henry loved his grandchildren.

She said she was never keen on having her children eating sweets; and each time her father-in-law visited her home he would hide sweets which he gave to his grandchildren, even when he was told not to give them.

"He would give the children sweets and say to them, 'don't let your mother know that I gave you them'," said Cohen-Henry.

She added that her father-in-law was known for arguing and that he was a man who never allowed himself to lose an argument.

She said he loved his children even though he never had much to offer them during his final years, but always had them on his mind.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw, who knew Henry for several years, also gave tribute.

Henry's brother Felix, his grandson Kemar Bryce, long-time associate, Pastor Enid White, former member of parliament for North West Clarendon Richard Azan, a family friend, Pastor John Bennett, members of the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God and gospel singer Errol Denton were the other persons to give tributes.

In his sermon, pastor for the Christiana Church of God, the Reverend Alphanso DaCosta, told mourners that time is the essence of our lives and that time is ticking away. He said there is a time and purpose for everything under the Heaven; and, therefore, we need to put our house in order.

DaCosta told mourners they were living on borrowed time despite the circumstances.

"It has nothing to do with how we look or how popular we are. We exist because of the grace of God," stressed DaCosta.

Wilbert Henry has left behind to mourn his passing widow Elfreda, daughters Icylyn and Melody; sons Vincent, Donald and George; one brother, Felix; one sister, Louise, scores of other relatives and a host of friends.

His body was interred in the family plot at Fine Grass, Manchester.