BLACK & GOLD CELEBRATION OF A LIFE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE
RUNAWAY BAY, St Ann; June 11, 2025
It was a black and gold affair with lots of surprises, and the entry of the birthday boy in a cowboy get-up signalled that the evening would be a real fun affair.
The 70th birthday of medical doctor Alverston Bailey was celebrated with dozens of special friends and relatives at the Holiday Haven Resort, Runaway Bay, St Ann, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
(Dr Alverston Bailey cuts a pose at his birthday party)
North Coast Times captured it all.
The guests represented phases of Dr Alverston Bailey’s life and career, from his school, Waltham Abbey Primary, Trelawny, through to Cornwall College, St James; Medical School at UWI, and to his present practice at Water Square Medical Centre in Falmouth, Trelawny.
(With wife Clarissa)
In between, it is a career marked by achievements and service, from his original start at St Ann’s Bay Hospital through to running what was then the Kaiser (Bauxite) Clinic and his service as President of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) and Co-chair of the University Diabetes Outreach Programme. It also included serving as chair or member of several Boards, including the Pesticide Control Authority of Jamaica and the St Ann Red Cross Society.
The story of Dr Alverston Bailey’s life outside of medicine was shared in toasts highlighting his work as author, poet, media commentator, and radio co-host.
Audette Bailey, his sister, said Alverston always had a large appetite for knowledge, and he loved to read. She said success never changed his heart.
(Prof Dr Errol Morrison, moving a toast)
President of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Professor Dr Errol Morrison, was one of the guests offering a toast. He said Alverston Bailey was “the Don of the Medical Fraternity in Jamaica and the Caribbean.” He spoke glowingly about Dr Bailey’s leadership as Co-chair of the University Diabetes Outreach programme.
Shauna Lake, admin assistant in Dr Bailey’s practice, Trelawny, says she has worked with him for 34 years. “You are the boss who inspired me with your tireless work ethic,” she said. Mrs Lake said he made the work environment “both productive and enjoyable.”
Also moving a toast was Dr Pauline Williams-Green from the Caribbean College of Family Physicians, of which Dr Bailey was a founding member, past regional president, and conferred as a Fellow in 2006.
Other toasts were moved by several medical doctors, including Dr Donald Gordon, President of the Association of General Practitioners of Jamaica; Dr Winston De La Haye, former CMO and a past president of the MAJ; and Dr Vernon DaCosta obstetrician and gynaecologist and a Cornwall College classmate of Dr Bailey.
(Daughters Dr Rochelle and Dr Krystle Bailey in an interlude of poetry)
Toasts and tributes out of the way, and dinner long done, it was time for an interlude of poetry presented by grandson Zayden; Dr Rochelle Bailey, daughter, and Dr Alverston Bailey, who has been writing poetry in this latter part of his life.
Then came a waltz with his wife of nearly 40 years, Clarissa. It was done to the music of Kenny Rogers – ‘Through The Years’ followed by a waltz with his daughter Krystle to the melodious sounds of -The Shires – ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’, and an energetic dance to the beat of ‘Champion’ by Bravo with his daughter Rochelle
Cake cutting followed.
In his reply, Dr Bailey spoke of his focus in his life and the privileges he has had. He said, “I am amazed at how lucky I have been.” He said he was now engaged in writing his autobiography and reading philosophy. “As human beings, we tend not to realize how lucky we are to be alive,” he said. He thanked his family members, particularly his wife, for their support. He said he was fortunate to have had high-level teachers and recommended that if one wanted to be good, one should “associate with good people.”
(Dr Winston De La Haye recalling great memories)
Emcee Alejandra Williams moved the programme nicely with her bits of activity and humour.
Close relatives in attendance were: Clarissa Bailey, wife; Dr. Krystle Bailey, consultant psychiatrist, daughter; Dr .Rochelle Bailey, DMO, daughter; Zayden Alexander, grandson; Azaila Alexander, granddaughter; Veronica Green Brisham, aunt; Joyce Riley, cousin; Dr Ava Green, ophthalmologist, cousin; Dr Tara Green, dentist, cousin; Dr Audettte Bailey, educator, sister; Ralston Bailey, teacher, and Doorley Bailey, Nurse.
Dr Rochelle Bailey gave the vote of thanks
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