- Raphael Joseph Walsh, Mus Mus Eutie, Mas Eutie, Pops, Popsie was born on May 1, 1939 to Ms. Viola Graham and Mr. Oliver Smith. He grew up in Port Antonio, Jamaica and attended Titchfield Elementary School. The family moved to Mill Bank when he was 9 years old, where Eutie attended Comfort Castle Primary School. Eutie returned to Port Antonio at the age of 16 where he pursued a career in motor mechanics. He worked at Sydney Pang Garage until he migrated to England in 1962, where he started his journey as a family man. He became the proud father of 3 children: Eileen, Julie and Martin.
He later returned to Jamaica with his 3 children. There he met and married Sylvia, the love of his life. They often share the story of how when they first met, he proclaimed that he was not the marrying type yet 6 months later he was a married man. That connection that joined them is still as strong today as it was back then, as evidenced by the way she continues to mourn her love. In a recent conversation, we encapsulated what we have witnessed this past year in the phrase, “Dem nuh mek luv like dis no more, no sah”
The couple was blessed with 2 children, Wendy and Filbert, in addition, to Sylvia’s 3 children: Andrew, Maureen and Pauline. The family established a home in Port Antonio and then later moved to Fairy Hill where they lived until the children migrated to England and the United States of America. Eutie worked in the tourist industry as a cabin steward until he retired in 1992. I fondly recall those times when he was in between jobs and I did not get lunch money for school. I remember clearly all the detailed nuances of the image of him standing at the school gate with my lunch money. Always a smile, always a joke and always a nudge, “go buy your lunch”, in a way that only Pops could. This is the hallmark of this man, my hero…a man who loves deeply, a man who fathers children that are not his own….shhhh don’t tell him I said that. If you ask him, he is going to say I am his daughter, his Indian.
In 2004, Eutie migrated to the US to join his wife where he resided until his death. Eutie passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2020. He leaves behind his wife Sylvia, 5 children, Eileen, Julie, Martin, Wendy and Filbert, 3 step children, Andrew, Maureen and Pauline, 9 grand-children, 3 great grandchildren, 5 sisters, several nephews and nieces.
His Legacy
I know he would want his legacy to be for us to not take life so serious that we cannot see the joy in every waking moment. He would want us to celebrate every chance that we get, living, loving and laughing. And of course, he would want us to take care of Si.
Today, we pay homage to you Raphael Euthan Joseph Walsh, our Pops! We’ll always remember that special smile, that caring heart, that hum through good times and bad times. We’ll always remember you Pops. You are forever in our hearts, my HERO!
Written by Dr. Pauline Pearce
