TONY CLARKE died suddenly on November 5 and his ashes were scattered in the river that runs through his home at Paradise, near Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland. Jamaicans for Justice mourns his passing and send their condolence to his family and close friends who will miss this energetic and enthusiastic force in their lives.
Many members of Jamaicans for Justice will miss his interesting and frequent e-mails on topics of relevance to life in Jamaica. However, Tony Clarke will be missed by a much wider cross-section of the country as he was actively involved in many aspects of Jamaican life and served his parish for more than 40 years.
FAMILY MAN
He was known to be a loving and caring family man, involving himself with his children and grandchildren. It was recognised that he easily extended his love and caring for family into the wider community and Jamaica, the country that he loved so much.
FARMER
He worked assiduously on his farm while skillfully planning practical jokes on family, friends and workers. Farming was one of his passions as it inspired him, gave him fulfilment, and allowed him to display his leadership talents. For indeed he was innovative and progressive in experimenting with new farming methods and techniques and was constantly upgrading his pastures, and crossbreeding cattle ever eager to share his findings with the farming community. He developed a donkey sanctuary at Paradise and even brought animals in from the Turks and Caicos Islands to graze in his pastures and enjoy the sanctuary.
ENVIRONMENTALIST
A staunch and protective voice in the preservation of the environment, Tony Clarke hosted many local and foreign experts who came to study Jamaican bird-life, mangrove swamps, and the reefs off Paradise coastline. It was during one of these research studies that the remains of two Tiano Villages at Paradise were found an important discovery in Jamaica's archaeological history. His dream was to build a Tiano Museum on the site, and was actively pursuing this idea with others.
CIVIC SOCIETY
Tony Clarke had an untiring desire to make the world a better place. He was an especially energetic advocate for the cause of universal justice, joining Jamaicans for Justice and the Farquharson Institute, supporting all the activities of these two bodies. He researched and made readily available valuable information on justice matters throughout the world, allowing his readers a wider view of this important subject.
The eulogy to Tony Clarke ends "Let us not grieve too long. Let us instead each take the opportunity to renew our commitment to advance our community and our country so that when we next meet him, we can say, 'Tony we have tried to make this world a better place, just like you did.'"
It is a fitting epitaph for an exceptional Jamaican.
AWARD TO JFJ FROM THE PARISH OF ST MARY
On Thursday, November 21, in a truly wonderful ceremony in the Annotto Bay Square, the Chairperson of Jamaicans For Justice, Mrs. Susan Goffe was presented with an award granted to JFJ for "Contribution to Human Rights and Justice". Dr Carolyn Gomes was also awarded for "Outstanding Public Service" and Jamaicans For Justice was also given the Awards Committee's "Cudjoe Award". The citation states that the organisation was awarded "For their continuous Fight in the Struggle For Jamaicans to be treated equally, and above all their Struggle to have all Jamaicans One Right One Justice 'Aluta Continua'". Other awardees included Assistant Commissioner Clarence Taylor for his outstanding community service, the St. Mary Fire Brigade, and the Bradford Preparatory School, which for the second year running has produced the Portland Spelling Bee Champion. Assistant Commis-sioner Taylor gave the keynote speech. It is the twenty-second year that awards have been given by the St Mary Awards Committee, who recognise persons who have performed an important service to the community and the country. Usually presented during Heritage Week and postponed because of the General Election, due respect must be given to these Awards, and the Committee, headed by the Chairman Mr. Donovan Archie, should be heartily congratulated for acknowledging and encouraging public spiritedness and civic mindedness in this way.
At a time when the work that JFJ attempts on behalf of those being mishandled in the justice system is both misunderstood and maligned, it is extremely gratifying that the St Mary Awards Committee has recognised the worth of the organisation. Jamaicans For Justice takes great pride in accepting the St Mary Awards Committee 'Cudjoe Award'. 'Thank you St Mary'
This is the fourth award given to Jamaicans for Justice in its short three-year history. The first was a Special Gleaner Award. The second is the "Wooden Show Award" given by the Government and people of the Netherlands for Community Service. The third award will be presented to the former Chairperson, now Executive Director of JFJ, Dr Carolyn Gomes in early December of this year, in Weimar, Germany, a prestigious international award granted for work done in the arena of Human Rights.
Send comments to Jamaicans For Justice, 1 Grants Pen Road, Kingston 8 or via e-mail ja.for.justice@mail.infochan.com
