Tino Geddes hailed as courageous journalist
Published:Sunday | November 20, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Staff Reporter
THE Unity of Jamaica auditorium on Old Hope Road, St Andrew, was yesterday filled to capacity and overflowing as mourners congregated to say farewell to Tino Geddes, veteran print and broadcast journalist.
While it was hard for some family members to hold back the tears, there was a sense of peace and tranquility at the service, which was marked by numerous tributes from persons who hailed Geddes as a courageous and brilliant person who has left an indelible mark on society.
Among the scores of persons who joined the family to bid farewell were members of the media fraternity, representatives of the political platform, other dignitaries and close friends.
Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sport Olivia Grange spoke highly of Geddes, saying that he served the journalism profession well and his life must be celebrated.
"He served the profession with distinction, with a flare and versatility which made him comfortable at newspaper and electronic media. He wrote stories just as good as he was behind the microphone," she added.
Grange added that Geddes was comfortable covering any beat as he was a journalist who was versed on all areas, whether it be crime, politics, sports or entertainment.
Public Defender Earl Witter referred to Geddes as a professional journalist and a long-time friend. He indicated that he had a well-earned reputation for tenacious pursuit of facts.
Geddes' friend, Derrick Denniser, described Geddes as a courageous individual, which he remained to his death.
"He walked fearlessly through the streets as no area was out of bounds for him. He lived his life fearlessly, and even in the last brink of his life, he was fearless," he continued.
true Jamaican
Dwight Geddes said his father was a true Jamaican and his life should be celebrated.
"The persons in attendance speak volumes of the type of person my father was. He was someone who loved everyone and he was someone who belonged to everyone. I learnt a lot from my father which makes my life better today," he said.
"He was a perfect gentleman … . He was Mr Polite personified; he acknowledged absolutely everyone with a 'good morning' or 'hello'. He seemed to find every female attractive and he was never short on compliments," his close friend, Lorraine Wilkins said.
"Tino had a unique sense of style and this allowed him to stand out in any crowd. He adored children and he spent many hours recalling the exploits and achievements of his own children, while often bemoaning the fact that he had not been able to spend as much time as he should have with each of them," she added.
Long-time colleague Mark Wignall remembered Geddes as an educated journalist who was loved by all whom he came in contact with.
"I would always know that when we arranged to meet in a bar the drinking would be of lesser importance than the interaction - sometimes very heated, but never mean-spirited.
"He could never enter in a community without many people calling to him. I was totally amazed that everywhere he went, he was known by his first name. They genuinely loved and respected him," he explained.
Geddes lost a long battle with cancer on October 20 and his body has since been cremated.