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Retired Clarendon custos lauded

Published:Saturday | February 11, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (right) presents a citation to former custos of Clarendon, the Hon. R. James DeRoux, in recognition of his service to the parish. The occasion was an appreciation luncheon held in honour of retiring custodes aboard the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship on Tuesday, February 7. DeRoux retired in 2011 after serving as custos for 30 years. - Contributed

Horace Fisher, Gleaner Writer

TOLL GATE, Clarendon:

RETIRED CUSTOS of Clarendon, R. James DeRoux, who has given 50 years of unbroken official service to Clarendon and Jamaica, was honoured by the Clarendon chapter of the Lay Magistrates' Association of Jamaica at Juici Patties' The Verandah in Tollgate, Clarendon, on Saturday, January 28, 2012.

The 82-year-old DeRoux, CD, JP, and custos emeritus, retired officially as custos of Clarendon in May 2011 after serving that office for 30 years, and on three occasions as deputy governor general of Jamaica. He was named a justice of the peace at just 32 years of age in 1962, and custos of Clarendon in 1981.

The ceremony was a lavish dinner and musical tribute, with special guest His Excellency, the Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, and other custodes, justices of the peace, friends, families and well-wishers present.

"The name Custos DeRoux is synonymous with excellence, integrity and service to nation," declared Sir Patrick in his capacity as special guest speaker at DeRoux's retirement function. "Lady Allen and I are well pleased to be invited here to share in this function to honour a man who has served the nation with distinction for over 50 years."

"Custos DeRoux, you have served the parish of Clarendon and Jamaica with dignity, dedication, and distinction. It is evident here tonight with the massive outpouring of support for you. Your life is a perfect example of what it takes to give service," said the governor general.

Citation

Current custos of Clarendon, William Shagoury, in his citation to the retired custos, said he remembered his dad telling a brother of his to always adopt DeRoux's work ethics and good overall principles.

"My late father always held up DeRoux as a man to emulate because of DeRoux's dedication to business, his work ethics, and overall good principles," said Shagoury.

While welcoming the overwhelming pouring out of love, DeRoux described his more than 50 years serving Jamaica as satisfying years. He congratulated his successor, Shagoury, and promised to be always available to assist him in discharging his duties as custos of the parish.

"I must have been doing something good over the years for so many of you to come out this evening," joked DeRoux to an outburst of laughter.