PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Suzette Henriques presents Patrick Simmonds, retiree of Sangster's Book Stores, with a piece of art work at his retirement dinner.TRIBUTES WERE read, songs were sung and tears were shed. Sounds like the recipe for a funeral, except employees, board members and friends of Patrick Simmonds were doing it while he is still very much alive.
The former operations manager of Sangster's Book Stores was the toast of well-wishers at his retirement dinner held at the Terra Nova Hotel on Wednesday.
LOVE AND RESPECT
There were hugs aplenty when Simmonds entered the gathering; a true sign of the love and respect held within.
Guests joked about 'Blondie' (weird nickname, we know), his 'prowess' at sports and how his bark was big but his bite small. He was lauded for his tireless work, tenacity and will to succeed. He was assured he would remain a towering figure.
Chairman of Sangster's' Oliver Clarke, was full of praise for his colleague, doing it with wit.
"Sangster's will mash up now that you've retired," he joked.
That was the light mood that prevailed over an event which, for some ladies, left them a little teary-eyed.
"He is tremendously talented in many areas and brought excellence in whatever he's done," Mr. Clarke continued.
Among Simmonds' close friends were Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie, who remembered him from their football-playing days.
"Somebody finally has the courage to tell you to go home," he gibed mercilessly at Simmonds.
On a serious note, the mayor stated that Simmonds was an unsung hero who may not get the O.J. but whose place in history was reserved.
A video slide presentation showed Simmonds through the years, whether playing the beautiful game in the national colours or dancing up a storm at some party back in the day.
The tangible gifts were as numerous as the sentiments. It seemed everyone wanted to present Simmonds with 'a token' of their appreciation.
And then the moment everyone had been waiting for. Simmonds pocketed his spectacles, straightened his jacket and with a huge grin on his face, strode to the platform.
He kept the comedic ambience going, ribbing his wife.
"You have proof now that great things have been said about your husband," he cracked. He remembered his first days with Sangster's helping the company's founder 'Ferdie' Sangster to deliver books to the (now gone) Liguanea outlet. He even did a commendable impersonation of Mr. Clarke at the first meeting after the 'takeover'. He suggested positively that the company was on stream with good years ahead.
And so he stepped down and away from the company he's been identified with for 38 years. But, take heart, Sangster's followers he'll still be around in some form.
