Obituary • Eulogy • Photos • Condolences
JEREMIAH DURHAM (85), better known as 'Brother Jerry' of Quarry, Kingstown, formerly of Richmond Hill, died on Monday 20th January, 2014. The funeral ceremony was held on Saturday 25th January at the Kingstown Church of Christ meeting place. Viewing was at the building from 2:30PM. The service began at 3:30PM followed by burial at Kingstown Cemetery. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Eulogy of Jeremiah Durham | by Orde Ballantyne |
Many persons consider greatness in a person by his/her deeds; one tends to measure it by one’s contribution to life, through politics. sports, industry, medicine, war, etc. But according to one of the characters in the ‘Doctor Who' television show, “Great men are forged in fire”. I add that how you respond to that heat would determine your worth in life. One such person who was fashioned by fire was Jeremiah Durham. Born on the 9th May 1928 from the union of Rosaline Durham and (fathers name) at Richmond Hill, he had 3 brothers and 4 sisters and spent 85 years exercising his right as a citizen of earth to exist. In the 1930s, primary education was a luxury for the poor, so Jerry’s early stage of formal education was not meticulous and sequenced but the bits and pieces that came his way were absorbed and put to good use.
Career
While still young, Jerry was unofficially adopted by the Mrs. Theotilda Browne, where he was taught that hard work was the key to success. Without formal training and still relatively young, Jeremiah landed a job at the Arrowroot Association Factory (recognised as Pool) in Kingstown. This required brute force and with his small demeanour Jerry quickly learnt the ropes and developed strong shoulder and leg strength. During one of the routine operations his right foot became caught between a machine and a crate; this was in the 1940s where medicine was not that developed. [After] battling with this leg injury for many years, Dr. Cyrus said that the only way to save his life was to amputate, Jerry’s first test in the fire of life. Initially Jerry must have been depressed. You see in those days handicapped people begged for a living because hardly anyone would hire such a person. But Jerry was a man of a different mettle and soon mastered the ambulatory skills, the use of crutches and moving on one leg.
After many years at the Arrowroot Pool, he reverted to his skills with the cutlass and joined road gangs trimming the [sides of] roads. This turned out to be a career choice and his employment with the Public Works lasted until his retirement in 1988. Still having all his faculties and energies, and not satisfied with remaining at home, Jerry was reemployed by the Kingstown Town Board as a manager of the upper Kingstown Rest Room Facility until 1994 when he formerly retired from government. His stint with the Kingstown Town Board was so effective that he was returned on contract until they hired a permanent staff.
During the period 1988-1998, work was not that demanding so Jerry purchased a freezer and began supplementing his income by selling drinks.
After his retirement he obtained a small meagre pension from NIS and later was offered Public Assistance.
Housing
Another challenge faced by Jeremiah was his living quarters. Evidently one cannot afford to pay a mortgage or rent on a road gang or arrowroot pool salary. [So] his adopted mother, Mrs. Browne, and family continued to house Jerry during this time. This family remained Jerry’s angelic matron up to his death. Firstly Jerry assisted in their shop and on their boat. They took him to Trinidad where he learnt to be independent - cooking, washing, baking and keeping house. In 1977 their family house caught fire and they were forced to relocate. It was not possible for Jerry to be accommodated then so they found suitable premises for him at the Greens. Jerry was not very comfortable there so, with the Browne's permission, he returned to the burnt property in Quarry, refurbished one of the houses left standing, and made it his home. This place had no bathroom facilities, a leaking roof, and the running water was outside. [But] for more than 40 years Jerry went through this fire of lack and did not complain. Many proposals were made to better accommodate Jerry during this period but clearly they were just promises and Jerry remained unmoved.
Career
While still young, Jerry was unofficially adopted by the Mrs. Theotilda Browne, where he was taught that hard work was the key to success. Without formal training and still relatively young, Jeremiah landed a job at the Arrowroot Association Factory (recognised as Pool) in Kingstown. This required brute force and with his small demeanour Jerry quickly learnt the ropes and developed strong shoulder and leg strength. During one of the routine operations his right foot became caught between a machine and a crate; this was in the 1940s where medicine was not that developed. [After] battling with this leg injury for many years, Dr. Cyrus said that the only way to save his life was to amputate, Jerry’s first test in the fire of life. Initially Jerry must have been depressed. You see in those days handicapped people begged for a living because hardly anyone would hire such a person. But Jerry was a man of a different mettle and soon mastered the ambulatory skills, the use of crutches and moving on one leg.
After many years at the Arrowroot Pool, he reverted to his skills with the cutlass and joined road gangs trimming the [sides of] roads. This turned out to be a career choice and his employment with the Public Works lasted until his retirement in 1988. Still having all his faculties and energies, and not satisfied with remaining at home, Jerry was reemployed by the Kingstown Town Board as a manager of the upper Kingstown Rest Room Facility until 1994 when he formerly retired from government. His stint with the Kingstown Town Board was so effective that he was returned on contract until they hired a permanent staff.
During the period 1988-1998, work was not that demanding so Jerry purchased a freezer and began supplementing his income by selling drinks.
After his retirement he obtained a small meagre pension from NIS and later was offered Public Assistance.
Housing
Another challenge faced by Jeremiah was his living quarters. Evidently one cannot afford to pay a mortgage or rent on a road gang or arrowroot pool salary. [So] his adopted mother, Mrs. Browne, and family continued to house Jerry during this time. This family remained Jerry’s angelic matron up to his death. Firstly Jerry assisted in their shop and on their boat. They took him to Trinidad where he learnt to be independent - cooking, washing, baking and keeping house. In 1977 their family house caught fire and they were forced to relocate. It was not possible for Jerry to be accommodated then so they found suitable premises for him at the Greens. Jerry was not very comfortable there so, with the Browne's permission, he returned to the burnt property in Quarry, refurbished one of the houses left standing, and made it his home. This place had no bathroom facilities, a leaking roof, and the running water was outside. [But] for more than 40 years Jerry went through this fire of lack and did not complain. Many proposals were made to better accommodate Jerry during this period but clearly they were just promises and Jerry remained unmoved.
Brethren, family, relatives and friends gather to bid farewell to 'Jerry'
Social Life
Once you lived in Richmond Hill in those days, you had to learn to swim. [So] even when Jerry became an amputee, he was still more prolific in the water than many able bodied men. It is reported that all you would hear on the wharf would be, 'PLOP, PLOP, PLOP', the sound of someone hopping and then, 'SPLASH!' At the onset you were concerned, but when you saw his dexterity in the water your fears were allayed.
Jerry was never one for much social commentary but he conveyed his message and was always pleasant with his neighbours and shared his garden supplies with all. Many of these neighbours who would pass others like examinations would always say "Hi" to Jerry even though many times he would not respond, you see it became habit. Whenever he was outside on his bench, or next to my fence, he would exchange cordialities.
Late in his adult life, while still at Mrs. Browne, Jerry had a relationship with Leonete Dennie and they produced one offspring, Steve. This is a story that neither father nor son wanted to speak much about; it would be left so.
Carl Patrick (alias Perkins) was the only person that I recall who would purposely visit with Jerry just to 'old talk' and this friendship continued up to his death
Miss Eta Williams is just another matter. She met Jerry while working with Mrs. Browne and after Jerry’s retirement she advised Jerry to let Miss Eta take care of him, “she not like the young girls who would rob yo' blind, she would take good care of you.” [This] Miss Eta did for more than 30 years; travelling to and from Owia weekly just to take care of Jerry. There are not many Etas that remain in this life, so I hope that her care is reciprocated now. Stand and take a bow Miss Eta.
Jerry was independent in mind, spirit and body; if he could perform a function he would not ask for assistance, whether it was walking to and from hospital or to and from church. [He] did his own errands. It was only later on in life when his good leg was worn and battered that he begged a favour, imposed on others and always humbly. We would contribute to his upkeep regularly and take him wherever he wanted to go, but he would never ask us to buy his gas or anything else.
Jerry lived good with all of his neighbours except 'Red Ant'. He always wanted from Jerry, and whenever Jerry wanted something in return he went into hibernation.
Whenever we travelled, [Jerry] was our security. I recall that during one of these vacations that one of my brothers entered the house without Jerry’s permission and Jerry hallowed out, “Ah done call the police so yo better get out!” Jerry never had a phone in his life. Jerry also provided safekeeping for our children; he held our house keys, so in the event our children were home before us he ensured their safety. Actually, he would walk our daughter home from NAPA.
Jerry was a cricket fan and always had his radio tuned to NBC, but he hardly spoke about that. [Perhaps] the dismal showing of the West Indies numbed his senses.
Once you lived in Richmond Hill in those days, you had to learn to swim. [So] even when Jerry became an amputee, he was still more prolific in the water than many able bodied men. It is reported that all you would hear on the wharf would be, 'PLOP, PLOP, PLOP', the sound of someone hopping and then, 'SPLASH!' At the onset you were concerned, but when you saw his dexterity in the water your fears were allayed.
Jerry was never one for much social commentary but he conveyed his message and was always pleasant with his neighbours and shared his garden supplies with all. Many of these neighbours who would pass others like examinations would always say "Hi" to Jerry even though many times he would not respond, you see it became habit. Whenever he was outside on his bench, or next to my fence, he would exchange cordialities.
Late in his adult life, while still at Mrs. Browne, Jerry had a relationship with Leonete Dennie and they produced one offspring, Steve. This is a story that neither father nor son wanted to speak much about; it would be left so.
Carl Patrick (alias Perkins) was the only person that I recall who would purposely visit with Jerry just to 'old talk' and this friendship continued up to his death
Miss Eta Williams is just another matter. She met Jerry while working with Mrs. Browne and after Jerry’s retirement she advised Jerry to let Miss Eta take care of him, “she not like the young girls who would rob yo' blind, she would take good care of you.” [This] Miss Eta did for more than 30 years; travelling to and from Owia weekly just to take care of Jerry. There are not many Etas that remain in this life, so I hope that her care is reciprocated now. Stand and take a bow Miss Eta.
Jerry was independent in mind, spirit and body; if he could perform a function he would not ask for assistance, whether it was walking to and from hospital or to and from church. [He] did his own errands. It was only later on in life when his good leg was worn and battered that he begged a favour, imposed on others and always humbly. We would contribute to his upkeep regularly and take him wherever he wanted to go, but he would never ask us to buy his gas or anything else.
Jerry lived good with all of his neighbours except 'Red Ant'. He always wanted from Jerry, and whenever Jerry wanted something in return he went into hibernation.
Whenever we travelled, [Jerry] was our security. I recall that during one of these vacations that one of my brothers entered the house without Jerry’s permission and Jerry hallowed out, “Ah done call the police so yo better get out!” Jerry never had a phone in his life. Jerry also provided safekeeping for our children; he held our house keys, so in the event our children were home before us he ensured their safety. Actually, he would walk our daughter home from NAPA.
Jerry was a cricket fan and always had his radio tuned to NBC, but he hardly spoke about that. [Perhaps] the dismal showing of the West Indies numbed his senses.
Religion
While as a young man with his new family the Browne’s, he [was] an Anglican by association. But on one occasion while they were on one of their trips in Trinidad, Jeremiah became a member of the Church of Christ and was faithful [in attendance] up to November 2013. Brother Richards vividly recalls that one time there was a street meeting at Rockies, and when he drove to the location, who he met seated under the tent? [Faithful] Jerry, who had walked all the way. Despite his handicap, Jerry was a faithful member doing whatever he could to promote the body. Leaders of this body have opined that they wish that many of their members were as faithful and hardworking.
Health
It was only in the last 15 years of Jerry’s life that he was challenged by ill health. He had a cataract that was cut by one of our health care providers, but the after care and support were not proper and he lost sight in the eye. Other than that, it was only arthritis in the knee and other minor aches and pains. Whenever he went to the hospital, he was quick to get home to his accustomed environment.
Early in 2013 he suffered from a stroke, but even that did not slow him down; if he had better use of his lone leg, he would have still been with us. But these two immobilised him and quickened his demise. Jerry’s only known son, Steve, has been Jerry’s right hand for these last couple years. This speaks to the issue of honouring our parents. [Despite] his demanding job, he gave to his father up to his death.
Friends, Jeremiah Durham was tested by the fires of inadequate education, a lost leg, poor housing, limited finance, trodden on them for 85 years until they became his normal route; he used life circumstances and conditions, never complained and overcame; isn’t that the life of a great man?
While as a young man with his new family the Browne’s, he [was] an Anglican by association. But on one occasion while they were on one of their trips in Trinidad, Jeremiah became a member of the Church of Christ and was faithful [in attendance] up to November 2013. Brother Richards vividly recalls that one time there was a street meeting at Rockies, and when he drove to the location, who he met seated under the tent? [Faithful] Jerry, who had walked all the way. Despite his handicap, Jerry was a faithful member doing whatever he could to promote the body. Leaders of this body have opined that they wish that many of their members were as faithful and hardworking.
Health
It was only in the last 15 years of Jerry’s life that he was challenged by ill health. He had a cataract that was cut by one of our health care providers, but the after care and support were not proper and he lost sight in the eye. Other than that, it was only arthritis in the knee and other minor aches and pains. Whenever he went to the hospital, he was quick to get home to his accustomed environment.
Early in 2013 he suffered from a stroke, but even that did not slow him down; if he had better use of his lone leg, he would have still been with us. But these two immobilised him and quickened his demise. Jerry’s only known son, Steve, has been Jerry’s right hand for these last couple years. This speaks to the issue of honouring our parents. [Despite] his demanding job, he gave to his father up to his death.
Friends, Jeremiah Durham was tested by the fires of inadequate education, a lost leg, poor housing, limited finance, trodden on them for 85 years until they became his normal route; he used life circumstances and conditions, never complained and overcame; isn’t that the life of a great man?
