Hundreds of mourners and well-wishers from across Jamaica turned out to pay their final respects to Jeffrey Lorenzo McKitty, late custos of St Mary, at the thanksgiving service at the St. Mary’s Parish Church in Port Maria, St. Mary, Saturday, May 2.McKitty died aged 71, on April 7 at his daughter’s home in Silver Springs in Maryland, USA.The officiating ministers for the funeral included: Rt Rev Dr. Howard Gregory, Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands; Rt Rev Alfred Reid; Rev Cannon Charles Manderson; RevFather Prince Taylor-Younge, Clergy of the Deanry of St. Mary and RevBrian McKitty.Family members could be seen expressing grief at times, throughout an emotionally and spiritually charged service. Jeffrey McKittywas hailed as a true humanitarian who had a passion for seeing the holistic development of every individual with whom he came into contact.Among those giving tributes were Alric “Bobby” Pottinger, who MrMcKitty succeeded as custos; Karlene Murdock, representative of St. Matthews Anglican ChurchSir Patrick Allen, Governor General.Sir Patrick described Jeffrey McKitty as a man who was dedicated to his family and committed to the development of his adopted parish, St. Mary. “I readily appointed Mr. McKitty as custos as I had no doubts that he would perform his duties with the same zeal he had towards his family and parish… He remained optimistic throughout his illness and he was committed to seeing the development of the youth of society,” he said.The remembrance was done by Pauline McKitty-Robinson, who is the sister of Jeffrey McKitty. She described him as a man who always protected her. Jeffrey McKitty’s daughters, KeshiaMcKitty and Dr. Nadia McKitty-Sesayread a scripture during the thanksgiving service.He leaves behind to mourn wife, Yvonne, two children, a son-in-law, grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was interred at the St. Matthews Anglican Church in Boscobel, St. Mary.
