MCPHERSON
EVERYONE IN the town of St. Ann's Bay knows him as Mr. Mac but his friends just call him 'Rolly'.
Whatever his moniker, it is clear that Roland McPherson is a man who knows the meaning of dedicated service, and that is one of the reasons he is this year's recipient of the Governor General Achievement Award for the parish of St Ann.
Born in the district of Summer Hill in Brown's Town, St. Ann, Mr. McPherson landed a job at the Reynolds Jamaica Mines as a warehouse clerk in 1953. During his 31 years of service, he was promoted several times, until he acquired the position of purchasing manager. When Reynolds ceased operations in Jamaica, he was employed by its successor company, Jamaica Bauxite Mining Ltd, where he remained for 12 years.
He has been a member of the Anglican Parish Church committee for 40 years, a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew for over 30 years, and president of the St. Ann's Bay Citizen's Association for almost 20 years.
He has also been responsible for initiating an annual Christmas treat for indigent persons of St. Ann's Bay, where more than a 100 persons receive gifts and grocery packages each year. But of all his activities, he really enjoys his work as a justice of the peace.
"I really like to do the petty sessions," he said. "I like court work. In my first job, I was assistant to the solicitor general and I really love being involved in the legal world."
The father of three sons and one daughter, Roland has cherished memories of his marriage of 44 years to Daisy, now deceased.
"She was a blessed woman; custom-built, they don't make them that way anymore, " he said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Since his wife's death, he has tried to 'adopt' her garden as a way to pay homage to her memory.
"I am old man," he said, chuckling. "I don't have many hobbies, I took over my wife's garden after she died. I do my little thing in the garden, I try my best, but Daisy is not here to tell me if I am doing a good job, but I try."
He was declared an "International Volunteer" in April, for dedicated commitment to community and nation building through voluntary service.
