Family, friends pay last respects to James deRoux
Published:Wednesday | December 19, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Horace Fisher, Gleaner Writer
MAY PEN, Claredon
IF ROBERT James 'Jimmy' deRoux could hear the glowing tributes and see the many notable friends, families and associates who came to pay their last respects to him at his thanksgiving ceremony, the retired Clarendon custos would be proud.
Venerated as a patriot, an astute businessman, a philanthropist and the best husband and father there was, deRoux who was born on March, 17, 1930 and died last month after ailing for some time.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen, former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, current Clarendon Custos William Shagoury, Custos of St Andrew Marigold Harding, and Custos of St Mary Bobby Pottinger and a host of politicians from both sides of the political divide joined a church full of mourners at the St Gabriel's Anglican Church in May Pen, Clarendon, last Saturday, to bid farewell to deRoux.
Dr Steven deRoux, who is one of two sons from deRoux's first marriage, eulogised his father as a man who loved his country.
"Dad is a JC (Jamaica College) old boy who got diving lesson from Michael Manley at JC, but in the turbulent 70s when then Prime Minister Michael Manley uttered his infamous five flights a day to Miami proclamation, my dad insisted that 'if the prime minister wants me to leave, he has to physically put me on the plane'," recalled Dr deRoux.
Appointed Custos in 1981
James deRoux was appointed custos rotulorum of Clarendon in 1981, and he served the parish until his retirement in 2011.
Pottinger said deRoux was a friend, colleague and a compassionate, generous, and dedicated public servant, who served Jamaica, and especially Clarendon, with dignity for 50 of his 82 years, and was Jamaica's longest-serving custos up to his retirement.
"We have lost a great friend and colleague, who served this nation with compassion and dedication. James loved Jamaica, especially the people of Clarendon, whom he served for over 50 years. Well done, my friend, and farewell," said Pottinger.