By Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter 
Oral McCook (left), head of OGM Integrated Communications, jokes with Brian Schmidt (centre), chairman of the Media Association of Jamaica, and Christopher Roberts, outgoing deputy managing director at the Gleaner Company. The occasion was a farewell ceremony held in honour of Mr. Roberts, who retired at the end of February. The event was held at the Gleaner Company, North Street, central Kingston. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
WITH A stunningly splendid send-off ceremony, filled with friendly smiles and feel good laughter, the Gleaner Company yesterday said farewell to Deputy Managing Director Christopher Roberts, who has retired after serving the newspaper for over 30 years.
Management, staff, friends and well-wishers gathered at the roof garden of The Gleaner's North Street offices, to say a collective bon voyage to Mr. Roberts, who joined the newspaper company in September 1974, when a copy of the Daily Gleaner sold for 15 cents.
Yvonne Senior, advertising and marketing manager, toasted Mr. Roberts, thanking him for "service well rendered" and wishing him "everything that is warm and wonderful in this new phase of (his) life".
Oliver Clarke, the newspaper's chairman and managing director, struck a particularly poignant note in his encomium. "Chris has all the right core values embedded in him. A more honest, committed, determined, dependable and creative person it would be difficult to find," he said.
Mr. Clarke noted that it is through Mr. Roberts' "stewardship and good judgement that The Gleaner has prospered over the last 30 years".
Said Mr. Clarke: "We all thank Chris for helping us all get where we are."
Others hailing the retiring deputy managing director were Alvin Sinclair of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union; Grace Salmon, the newspaper's credit manager, and John Hewitt, the company's services manager.
Mr. Roberts was upbeat during the ceremony chaired by Rudolph Speid, chief accountant.
"It's kind of a mixed feeling. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Gleaner, but I think the time has come for me to make way for the younger people. I believe there is an incredibly talented set of young people at work at the Gleaner Company," he said.
Mr. Roberts noted that his fondest memories of his time at The Gleaner involve the countless hours spent with his beloved colleagues.
"There is an outstanding level of camaraderie that exists at The Gleaner. This has given me many happy memories which I will always treasure," he said, with an unmistakable note of pride in his voice.
INFECTIOUS LAUGH
Known for his infectious laugh and his compassion for staff members, Mr. Roberts was characteristically modest when asked to name his greatest achievement, saying simply: "Anything accomplished here has been a team effort. I have had a great team of people to work with and I am grateful to them."
Mr. Roberts said he now has big plans for "a nice, quiet retirement". He will continue to serve on the newspaper's board of directors.
Among those attending yesterday's function were Mark Pritchett, managing director of the Jamaica Observer; Lester Spaulding, chairman and managing director of the RJR Communications Group, David McBean, managing director of the CVM Communications Group, Brian Schmidt, head of the Media Association of Jamaica and Robert McMillan, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of Jamaica.
