Humble Edgar presses to 100
Published:Saturday | July 6, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
TIME AND PATIENCE, St Catherine:
ACHIEVING A century on any field is a significant milestone and usually calls for celebration. So when Edgar Reid turned 100 years old on June 17, his family, friends and well-wishers ensured that it didn't go unnoticed.
They gathered at his grandson's house in Time and Patience near Linstead, St Catherine, four days later, to celebrate his achievement with music, food, drink, frolic and reflections.
A smartly dressed 'Maas Edgar' or 'Rooster' as he is affectionately called, sat proudly in his special chair and welcomed the guests who arrived. In fact, he used every opportunity he got to introduce them to his four children - all boys he shared with his late wife, Doris.
His sons took time out from the hustle and bustle of mixing and mingling to reflect on how their father impacted their lives.
"My father is kind, honest, hardworking and dedicated. He never had a trade or what you would say cash, but he worked hard for his family, tried to make us happy out of almost nothing. He sent us to school so we could get an education," Earl, the eldest, 60 years old, told The Gleaner.
Lloyd spoke no less of the role Maas Edgar played when they were growing up.
"When I think about my father, I realise that a father is just not a person who gets children, but one who takes care of the children he bears, and he was a very good provider, and we have learnt a lot from our father," the 59-year-old said.
A farmer in his early life, the bubbly senior, according to Lloyd, did not only teach his children and stepchildren good manners, but how to till the soil.
Errold, two years Lloyd's junior, expressed gratitude to his father for the values he instilled in them.
Shared memories
"My father is one in a trillion," he said laughing, "He's the best father I ever know. We never go to our bed hungry one night and he brought us up to be real men; that's why I am really, really proud of him," Errold, a father of four children shared with The Gleaner.
Locksley, the last child of Maas Edgar's children, shared memories of the times he rode his donkey to and from his father's farm.
"I remember on Saturdays, my brothers used to leave early with him in the mornings to the field, and Mom would make breakfast, and my dad would leave one of the donkeys at home, and I rode the donkey to the field, and brought his breakfast, and that was fun for me, and then I would stay there all day and ride the donkey back home," he reflected.
Maas Edgar's stepson, Marvin Rutherford, was overcome with emotions as he heaped praises on the senior who he described as 'God-blessed'.
"I grew up in Mr Reid's hand from I was one year and nine months old, and I grew up in his hand as a son, until when I was about 27 years old when I met my biological father. Is only God-blessed people live so long. He is one of the best fathers I ever know, and all these young fathers coming up can take a leaf from his book," he suggested.
One of Maas Edgar's lifelong friends, 69-year-old retired teacher Kenneth Graham, lauded him for his exemplary life.
"He is a very humble man and I never hear him use indecent language. He was a father figure who you could emulate," Graham told The Gleaner.
In fact, many youngsters in the community have expressed the desire to emulate the man, who in his brief chat with The Gleaner highlighted the importance of farming in Jamaica.
He also made it clear that he could no longer enjoy foods which were once his favourite.
"Because mi don't have any teeth, nowadays mi drink mostly soup," he said.