Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Looks just like me, doesn't it? J. Lester Spaulding seems quite delighted with the caricature of himself that he received at his farewell event. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

So the J.A. stands for Joseph Aloysius; okay then! That was the statement that arguably got the most laughs at the farewell party for J.A. Lester Spaulding at the Liguanea Club last Friday. It was appropriate that the man to let the puss out of the bag was Spaulding's replacement as managing director of the RJR Communications Group, Gary Allen. He also revealed Spaulding's nickname, Commander Whitehead, which also left guests holding their stomachs.

A man of integrity

Though the event wasn't a roast, it took on characteristics of one as friends and colleagues ribbed the man who served as head of the organisation for 30 years. But they also lauded him for being a man of integrity, a visionary, agent of change and for his pioneering work in the communications sector. Words of appreciation came from all quarters, including the Caribbean News Agency, the Caribbean Media Corporation and the Press Association of Jamaica.

They all bid him smooth sailing on his retirement (a sentiment complemented by the ocean décor of the venue). So, in-between defending himself that he is quite the sports fisherman, Spaulding spent most of his time lauding those who helped him in making the RJR Group the major player it is now.

Guests out included Don Topping, Hol Plummer, Anthony Bell, Rita Humphries-Lewin, Morin and Verla Seymour, Jean and Hubie Chin, Fred and Sonja Dumetz, Milton Walker, Carol Francis, Basil Naar, Gurney Beckford, Ladianne Wade, Michael Hirst, Ian Neita, Michael Bryce, Major General Robert Neish, Brian Schmidt, Rupert Hartley and Charles Ross.

Family friend of the Spauldings, Granville Marsh (right), catches up with Myrtle Spaulding, mother of the honouree, and Howard Spaulding, his brother.