Eric Adolphus Gibbs

Like a beautiful fall day, so serene, so colorful, so gentle yet pleasing, with such easy groove he passed through here. We embraced his stamina, felt his warmth, touched his humour, heard his gentle chuckles, indeed we were intoxicated by this man. A simple unassuming persona, this stalwart, this great wall as that from Jericho, a force to be reckoned with and yet a gentle soul. Get on the journey, come see a man, Eric Adolphus Gibbs. In the quiet plains of the Parish of Westmorland Jamaica, deep in a community called MaxField, where fruitful lush green vegetation lies, and humble people waiting to be explored. There lived a loving couple: Johnny Gibbs and Ethelyn Beckford. Certainly, they were creators, farmers, planting, rearing, and reaping beautiful and tender-hearted children among other things. Like any other, in the late evening sun of Sept 1st, 1940, Eric Adolphus Gibbs bloomed like a bachelor button plant, so wild, so free. His serenity stroked the evening sun and welcomed with a kiss, the twilight. With bright beautiful welcoming eyes, this baby took on the world with a firm embrace and matured into one that was loved and nurtured by all who met him. As Eric grew, being the oldest of eight (8) children, he became a gentle but firm protector for his younger siblings, his only brother Charles and six sisters: Kathleen, Joyce, Una, Olive, Gwendolyn, and Marlene. He was very generous, kind, and thoughtful to his sisters and considered them as his world, always looking out for them and supporting them financially. They all loved and cherished him dearly, but sadly his sister Kathleen preceded him in death. Reflecting on the early characteristics of Eric, he possessed a quiet, peaceful demeanor and was very obedient. He never got into trouble as a child because he was very afraid of the consequences enforced by his very strict and militant mother. If the evening came and he was being idle all day and didn’t do his chores, he would quickly get it all done in a short time before his mother got home. He boasts a soft gentle caressing smile that warms your heart on impact. As he grew, he earned the nickname bamboo because of his tall slender stature. Eric was smart from birth and soon, it was time for school. He attended the Mt Ward Primary School in Hanover where he completed 9th grade education. After finishing his studies, in his late teens to early 20s, he soon recognized that he was quickly growing into a man. He learnt at an early age that manhood requires him to be a provider for himself, and certainly a desire to help his siblings. Therefore, he figured he needed a skill. In those days employment was not the easiest thing to come by, and so he set out to become a force to be reckoned with. Very soon he became acquainted with Abdullah C Mazuka and established a working relationship, traveling from Savanna la mar, Westmoreland to Montego Bay doing masonry. Eric was not a man that feared work or any life challenge for that matter, and he plunged himself deep into hard labor that he today boasts as twelve years at Montego Bay Beach hotel as head bartender. He had a compelling passion for politics and very soon joined the band wagon on the trail of political glory. Eric was a politician at heart and never separated his heart from the Peoples National Party movement. He grew in stature and soon became a union representative for the National Workers Union (NWU). As the years progressed, Eric knew it was time for him to settle down with his ideal woman and so while in Montego Bay, he met and fell in love with the beautiful Joan Boswell. As the years progressed, Eric’s love for Joan grew and grew. They found favor in each other and soon they began the creative art of milling and molding in the most deliberate artistic manner and before long, little Corey emerged with Shelly in tow. The union welcomed two children (Corey and Shelly) to add to the three (3) bonus children (Michelle, Monique, and Andrew) Joan already had. Eric’s desire for himself grew more and more, soon he found a way to navigate himself on the path for growth and prosperity. He dreamt of migrating to America, in hopes of making a better life for his family. In 1979 he migrated to Baltimore Maryland joining his sister Olive, who was committed to doing whatever she could so he could realize his dreams. The struggles he experienced in his quest to excel never dissuaded nor wore him down as he knew his beloved Joan with his beautiful children awaited him. His efforts proved fruitful and in 1982 he returned to Montego Bay and married his sweetheart, Joan. In 1983 she and their 5 children joined him in Baltimore. While in Baltimore he worked at John Claud’s Cafe, Sky chef, and other establishments to ensure that his family was provided for. In addition, he also took an interest in stocks and bonds, to add extra financial security for his family. In December 1988, tragedy struck, and Joan suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Eric was devastated and it was never the same anymore. He fought gallantly to restore normalcy to the family in those treacherous months and years that followed. Even then he continued to work tirelessly to ensure his family was cared for. He stopped at nothing to provide more than just the basics for his children who described him as a great, hard working dad. He never treated any of them differently and they knew how much he loved them all. In 1995 Eric suffered a life-threatening stroke that left him with partial paralysis on one side. Still, he was forever grateful for life and so he worked hard to resume normalcy. He was determined to still live to the fullest, determined not to be a burden. Following doctors orders to a T, getting his daily exercise by walking around 32nd street, and helping himself in every way that he could. One day he vowed that he was not going to allow life or health to hold him hostage. So, he ventured onto a bus to the local Giant grocery store. By the time Corey arrived to accompany him to the grocery store, he was already gone. Hanging his four-prong cane on the cart, and holding the shopping cart for support, half of the shopping had already been completed. He fought very hard to maintain his independance. After years of declining health, he happily agreed to give up some of his control and relocated with his son Corey, who assisted in taking care of him. He beamed with pride, and often spoke of how happy and proud he was of his children. Sadly, in September of 2020 his daughter Monique suddenly and unexpectedly passed away just like his beloved Joan did in 1988. Eric’s health continued to slowly decline. On August 26, 2022, he was hospitalized until October, then he went to rehab. On November 21, 2022, he was readmitted into the hospital. The doctors fought endlessly to regain and restore him back to health but on December 12, 2022, like a comet flashing across the evening sky, Eric transitioned, his time here on earth was done, and he is finally at rest. Today as we reminisce on Eric Adolphus Gibbs, he leaves to mourn: his children, Michelle, Andrew, Corey, and Shelly; his only brother, Charles, five sisters, Una, Olive, Joyce, Gwendolyn, and Marlene; thirteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Derrick (Michelle); daughters-in-law, Stacy (Corey); sister-in-law, Diana Segree; his devoted caregiver of five years, Patrice; many nieces, nephews, and a host of other family, friends and acquaintances

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Eric Adolphus Gibbs

September 1, 1940 - December 12, 2022