‘F.O’ – Vincy tower of strength

Fri, May 11. 2012

The tributes are flowing thick, fast and deservedly, in relation to the herculean contributions of that Vincentian tower of strength, literally and figuratively, Frank Odell ‘FO’ Mason, who passed away on Tuesday.{{more}}

It is only natural, considering his larger-than-life status as the premier Vincy paceman of all time, that much on the focus would be on his achievements in the cricketing field – the sporting arena in which Vincentians have received most international acclaim – but ‘FO’ was much more than a cricketer.

But on the cricket field, and off it as well, he was the stuff of legends, the subject of much cricketing folklore. Among senior citizens, there are still those who profess to have witnessed his exploits in twice knocking down the stumps of the late icon Sir Frank Worrell, even though their recollections as to time and place vary widely! Such was the impact of the fast bowling ‘terror’ that was ‘FO’ in his heyday.

Those summary dismissals of the legendary Worrell enhanced ‘FO’s reputation and he was in the fifties considered to be one of the very best fast bowlers in the region. In fact, when called for trials for the West Indies team to tour England in 1957, he outdid the great Wes Hall. But, with discrimination against “small islanders” so rife then (still existent today if not to the same degree), the Vincy champion was not selected.

‘FO’s handling of this disappointment, not just then, but through the rest of his life, revealed the strength of his character. There was to the end, no bitterness, but rather he took it in his stride, bore his misfortune with great dignity and fortitude, as did two other similarly affected local cricketers, the late Alfie Roberts and Mike Findlay.

In addition to his cricketing achievements, as player, umpire and administrator, there were many other notable aspects of the life of Frank Mason. He served his country with distinction in the public service, making particularly outstanding contributions in the field of security – Police, Fire Department and Prisons. FO was a devoted stalwart of the Methodist Church and performed valuable social and community services, being a lynchpin in his Lodge.

The passing of this Vincentian giant is one more occasion for us to reflect on how we treat those who have given their all, and more, for the development of our country. We still do not have a system of national, or indeed Caribbean-wide honours. Those countries like ours, without such mechanisms, continue to rely on the colonial honours dished out by Queen Elizabeth II, monarch with jurisdiction over our people. How long are we to use the standards of others to judge the contributions of our own heroes?

As we pay tribute to this outstanding son of our soil, and extend condolences to his family, we call for a fitting honour to his name and for us all to use the occasion to press ahead with the institution of a proper system of national awards, and rewards.