A life at Mizpah that gave him the achievements of his life
Sugar Ray Thomas
Thirty-six years of service is no ordinary feat to be achieved in anything. Michael Nicholson, who is better known to everyone in and around Port Maria as ‘Chiney Man’, has given years of unbroken and dedicated service to the Mizpah Funeral Home, as a driver.
Nicholson told The Times that he first started out at the Mizpah Furniture Store in 1979 as a janitor and delivery man and worked on occasions at the funeral home. Finally in 1984, he was given a permanent position at the Mizpah Funeral Home. He started out as an attendant to the driver at the funeral home and has worked his way through the ranks; from transporting bodies, and driving various models of hearses to now being a senior driver. His responsibilities as senior driver includes training and supervising other drivers, doing errands and transporting his boss, Vincent Mason, managing director and owner of Mizpah Funeral Home. “Mr Mason a good boss to me to. We have a good relationship like almost father and son. Me a the main one fi him; take him up everyday to anywhere, take him to work and take him back home,” expressed Mr Nicholson proudly.Michael ‘Chiney Man’ Nicholson explained that he grew up between Stennett Street and Warner Street in Port Maria. His community and his family played a great role in molding him with strong morals and values. This has played a great part in him giving such dedication to his job at Mizpah. He loves the job that has given him several personal achievements. “Love mi job and mi will stay here till me time done. Don’t think I can fit in any other job again… I achieve many things from this (job). My children go university and ting and me even have a two- bedroom house in Tryall Housing Scheme. Yah so me learn fi drive to. The top of the line hearse dem like Cadillac and Escalade, mi drive them. All my achievements are here,” Mr Nicholson said, beaming with pride.
FAMILY
He is married to Odette Brown-Nicholson and they have one child together. However, he has six other children who have made him all proud. Among those are triplets (two girls and a boy) born in 1988, who are now all successful in their careers ranging from a teacher to a telephone technician.Despite the sadness surrounding death and the images of relatives mourning, Mr Nicholson noted that it is something that he has become used to. He says it is “just a part of the job and the crying is something that you’re use to over the years.”When asked about being scared on the job or about any encounters with the supernatural that is often said to be associated with the job, he said he has never seen anything like that. “No. I don’t know bout that. I stay here day and night and neva see nothing like dat. Everyone has their beliefs, but neva see dat,” he said.
In terms of Port Maria, Mr. Nicholson noted that he wanted to see for the town some development; a view shared by several persons who reside in and around the town.
