TRIBUTE TO OWEN CUFFY

by Vanesta Murphy 27.JUL.07

Owen Cuffy… cricketer, public servant, father, grandfather, brother, son, friend, all around good guy will be laid to rest today in Georgetown after a funeral service at the Georgetown Methodist Church.

Born in Georgetown to Mervyn and Beryl Cuffy on December 3rd 1938, he was one of 6 children.

After attending the St. Vincent Grammar School, Cuffy joined the Public Service in 1957 as a temporary probationer and remained there until 1994 when retired.

His extensive stay in the public service included posts such as Clerk of The House of Assembly from March 1971 to December 1978, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health from January 1979 to August 1984, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education from September 1984 to September 1985, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing from September 1985 to December 1992 and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health December 1992 to November 1994.{{more}}

Claudia White, retired Permanent Secretary worked with Cuffy while he was Clerk of the House of Assembly and she was a stenographer. White had fond memories of working with him, saying, “He was a person who was genuinely interested in his staff and associates”. White also said that Cuffy had a wealth of knowledge about the public service and was always eager to share it and guide anyone who was interested.

Cuffy also had a distinguished career as a cricketer. He debuted in the Fraser- Neckles Competition for Hairoun in 1958 and ended his playing days with the same club in 1972 after ensuring their promotion to the ‘A’ Division. There are many who felt he should have progressed further in the game, perhaps to national level or even with the Windward Islands. He was regarded as a fantastic swing bowler and was involved in the perennial trials with his close friends F.O Mason and Elliot Cambridge; he however never actually made the team.

He served the cricket association as commentator and selector after his playing days were over and was also Senior Vice President of the Association under Dr Gideon Cordice. Cuffy was also Deputy Chairman of the Arnos Vale Playing Field Board now known as the National Sports Council. The Cricket Association had named Cuffy as one of the honorees in their second annual Awards of Excellence, which was to be held last week Saturday night at Government House. Cuffy was discovered dead in his house on July 20, the day before the ceremony. Indications are that he died in his sleep.

A Georgetown man all his life, Owen Cuffy is remembered by most people for his pleasing temperament, ready and infectious smile, and caring and considerate nature. He is described as someone who was always willing to go the extra mile to help someone in need. Before he retired, on almost every weekday, he transported Stanley Richards, his blind friend to the Workshop for the Blind in Kingstown. Cuffy rarely left Georgetown with an empty car on any given day. He had a great sense of humour and could be relied on to liven up the dullest event.

Owen’s sisters Cherry and Pearl said with sorrow in their voices that they loved their brother and that he was devoted to not only his family but to the Methodist Church where he was involved with the Boys Brigade. Cherry added that it was strange to have him gone.

Former co-workers say that as a manager he treated his staff with utmost respect and kindness regardless of their status in the organisation, a quality which won him the admiration of everyone. He was a hard worker, dedicated to any task set before him. He was also an easy man to talk to, and put people at ease.

At the time of his death, Cuffy was the Chairman of the Local Government Commission.

On a more personal note, I remember a man who was always smiling and therefore always made everyone around him smile. I don’t think I ever heard him say a bad thing about anyone. Owen Cuffy was my taxi to school many a day when I was a little girl and my mother had to be away on business. He was the father of my older sister Nyasha Beach and the grandfather of my nieces. It saddens me that they will never meet such an honourable man. Nyasha, who is serving in the United States Air Force reiterates my sentiments, saying “I regret that my children will never meet their grandfather”. He however lives on in the faces and hearts of his children and grandchildren, to whom he has passed on the finest of his qualities and characteristics.

The SEARCHLIGHT would like to relay heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Owen ‘Chief’ Cuffy.