On March 7, 2005 Beresford Lionel Welds, died - 88 years after he was born to Edward and Herbertha Welds in the Parish of Hanover.

He was the third of 8 children, 4 of whom pre-deceased him, leaving three sisters – Ruby, Joyce and Lucille.

He was formerly married to Mavis Straker (now deceased) and the union produced two sons, Paul and Martin who live in theU.K.and could not be here with us today. 

He later married Minnette McLean and they had a lovely daughter, Bernadene – who is of course my wife.  It was no secret that Beanie, as he called her, was the apple of his eye. 

He was very proud of the fact that as a child when she was asked her name, she would respond very matter of factly, “Mr. Welds Bernadene.”  By extension, his love for Marlon, his stepdaughters Beverly and Nancy and their children to whom he was grandpa, was heartwarming.  His love for his grandchildren was exceptional, and I can remember the fine time they had playing, only three weeks ago, when we took him to Port Antonio.  

Most of us have a favourite “Beres” story.  He lived a full life, rich with experiences that he regaled us with from time to time.  It seems to me he challenged himself to remember the dates in recounting incidents of his active days at the Long Pond Sugar Factory, his bookkeeping genius, cane fire escapades, experience on the Hope Ship, or on the road in the blue Bedford Truck which he could “make fly”, while working with Berec Caribbean Limited.  He was their top Salesman for many years, before embarking on his own, never out of a job – never stopped working. 

He brought a new twist to the saying early to bed, early to rise.  His was more like – early to rise, early to work, gives a man more time for his favourite pleasure.

He had a passion for dominoes, and would exclaim, “get ready to rumble”, when he was on a winning streak.  There was talk that he had a special domino book, and when he was losing (which was rare) he would go inside, take a peek at the book, come back out and according to him, “Fan them with a hot brick” and he would be back on the winning track.  He was truly a great domino player.  All of us it seems, suffered a six love at his hand, except of course for Beanie, who would somehow manage to win a game or two.  A chip off the old block, or a chip that the old block looked out for.

For the past few years, his health gradually deteriorated and he became very contemplative and concerned with his spiritual well being.  He made his peace with God. 

He always spoke of “his eye for business” yet so many benefited from his freewill generosity and patient understanding.  His genuine concern, experienced advice and at times painfully direct honesty in council, touching the heart of the matter at hand.  He would enquire of its outcome on the next exchange even if months passed.  This spoke to his human nature.  His enquiring mind, mental faculties and wit remain the hallmark of his life, although in the latter years one would often hear his “Oh Well” as a sign of boredom in the absence of life’s little challenges.

Last Christmas at the traditional family gathering, he mentioned that he didn’t think he would be here next Christmas, and Bernie said, “Daddy, you say that every year.”  But I guess he wasn’t joking this time.

He slipped away from us quietly last Monday morning, without any fanfare, which is just the way he would have wanted it.

The family will miss him very, very much.

May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him.