Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Western Jamaica wasn't about to allow William 'Bill' Clarke (third left) to leave office without fêting him. Here the outgoing Scotiabank CEO is flanked by his staff (from left) Andrea Lyle, Simone Kerr-Cole, Claudette King, Janet Richards and Ainsworth Leach.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Today, William 'Bill' Clarke puts down his mantle as head of Scotiabank Jamaica, but his legacy of advocacy for the disadvantaged in the society and the students who benefited from his generosity will live on for years to come.

In fact, students, doctors, teachers, the business community, and even the dialysis patients at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, will remember his philanthropic efforts, while the staff at Scotiabank Montego Bay will reminisce on the man who steered them to solid gold.

Tears of joy

Last Saturday night in MoBay, transportation mogul Fred Smith opened up his Coral Gardens residence to host the banker, and it was difficult not to dry a tear or two, just listening to the accolades that were bestowed upon the humanitarian.

"A good man is someone who understands the needs of people and does not allow bureaucracy and politics to get in his way, and Mr Clarke, you are a good man," stated Dr Curtis Yeates, as he boasted about having the largest dialysis unit in Jamaica, as a result of Clarke.

Team leader

"Had it not been for Mr Clarke's generosity and personal interest in education, over 30 students at my school would not have been able to attend," declared Dr Angella Samuels-Harris, principal of the Montego Bay Community College.

Simone Kerr, hailed him as 'Uncle Bill', a team leader, who taught the team "how to serve, how to satisfy and survive in this climate, while keeping the Scotiabank flag high".

The event attracted the likes of Winston Dear, Linley Reynolds, Clayton Morgan, Ralph Smith, Emilou and George Duncan, Yvonne and Peter Pearson, ET and Norma Webster, Mary Chambers, Dollis Campbell, Parsha Buddo, Everton Anderson, Anthony and Joanne Pearson, George Thomas and Tyrone Richards.

Just the two of us. Joanne and Anthony Pearson of Vic Walton Department Store are inseparable at the farewell function for William 'Bill' Clarke, at Fred Smith's Coral Gardens residence in Montego Bay. - Photos by Janet Silvera

We're not sure if Kirk Taylor and his wife Shauna are trying to steal a few moments for themselves at the farewell function for outgoing managing director of Scotiabank, William 'Bill' Clarke, in Coral Gardens last Saturday night.

The man of the moment, William 'Bill' Clarke (left), flashes his trademark smile and is tickled pink by the jokes of host Fred Smith and friend, Dr Angella Samuels-Harris, at his farewell function