Obituary
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from January 1972.
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On the platform with the Rev. J. Angus were the Rev. Neil Banks, Joseph Crawford, Gerald Smith, John Gray, Father Sarjeant, Messrs Vernon Jackson and Lee Ebanks.
As a mark of respect to Mr. Hunter who retired in November 1971 after 35 years as Choir Master, past members joined the present choir in rendering his favourite hymns. The present choir-master and organist Mr. John Woodward officiated at the organ with appropriate music by Handel.
The service having been opened by Rev. Angus, Rev. Banks spoke a few words on his association with the deceased and led in prayer. Mr. Lee read three portions of scripture after which Rev. Crawford read an item written by the oldest member and Elder of the Church Mr. Ellis Connolly, which he had specially prepared to be read at his own funeral by Mr. Hunter.
Beyond the Sunset", a favourite of Mr. Hunters was sung by Mrs. Mirindie Berry and Mrs. Doris Bodden.
The obituary read by Mr. Vernon Jackson began, "As one of the persons who knew Clifton well and enjoyed a deep bond of friendship with him, I feel it difficult to express myself at this time. I feel honoured that it is my duty on behalf of the many people who benefitted by his life and influence on their lives to try to give some expression. It would be impossible to go into the details of his service to this community and island, and even a brief mention of any aspect of his life and work should not be taken lightly. Mention of his living a full life of activity in this island with service to his countrymen can be substantiated by so many of us assembled here this afternoon. "We knew him thus far throughout our lives. From our school days and although we thought we could always trace disaster in his mourning face, we were proud of his school, our school, which always came first in everything. I am sure many of us remember waiting for Mr. Logan Bodden the mailman of blessed memory to bring the news of the Pupil Teacher of Jamaica Local Exam results. Always knowing that Bodden Town would be first He was always remembered by friends and Caymanians in America, Canada and England who would ask 'How is Clifton doing these days."?
"We remember him in Scouting, Church, and Social life in the community and more recently in politics where he ably expressed himself on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. "He enjoyed life and thus was involved in the activities that make life worth living. He put his shoulder to many tasks and saw them thoroughly completed.
It is often said that no man is indispensable, but we know that this island has lost a man that will be difficult to replace. He loved his community and island. Let us comfort ourselves. Such souls forever live in boundless measure of the love they give. This community is therefore challenged by his death to carry on with all the duties that rested on his shoulders.
"Clifton Adalbert Hunter was born 13th August 1909, third son of James Hunter by his second wife Lucilla Margaret.
"He was educated at the. Bodden Town Elementary school where after passing the Jamaica Pupil Teacher Examination, he taught as an assistant teacher before going to Mico Training College in Jamaica, from which he graduated as a teacher in 1929.
On his return home he served as a Head Teacher until 1946. In that year he did a refresher course at Mico Training College and the following year he attended the Institute of Education at London University pursuing a course in the path of Modern Education.
"On his return in 1947, he was appointed the first Educational Officer of the Cayman Islands and was Head of the Education Department until his retirement from the Government Service in 1964. His interest in education still continued and up to his death he was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cayman Preparatory School and a member of the Education Council. His services to his country were recognized by Her Majesty the Queen who, in her birthday honours in June of 1968, bestowed on him the title of M.B.E.
He was admitted a Law Agent (now Attorney-at-law) in 1945 and in 1965 entered into partnership with his son Arthur to form the first Law Firm in the Cayman Islands.
"He always had a keen interest in the affairs of State and after retiring from the Government Service engaged in politics and was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1968 and at the time of his death held the office of Deputy President of the Legislative Assembly. He was also chairman of the Executive Committee of the Cayman Island Branch of the Commonwealth Parlimentary Association and Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Advance. A telegram expressing sympathy to thefamily and members of the Legislature has been received from the President of the C.P.A. members of the General Council and of the Secretariat, through the Secretary General of the C.P.A. in London. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman and an immediate Past Master of the Cayman Lodge.
Early in life he became actively involved in the work of the church, becoming a member of the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman in 1928 and an elder in the early thirties. He occupied the office of chairman of the Board of Managers on many occasions and has been the Treasurer for many years. He was both council and synod elder for the Bodden Town charge. Those who attended the year synod meetings in Jamaica have noted his dominant personality in action on the affairs of the church.
"Clifton was married to Gwyneth Elizabeth Connor on 31st January 1935 and is survived by her and three sons Arthur, James and George two daughters-in-law, Karen and Olsie, three grand children Desiree, Bryan and Shelly, two half-sisters Anna and Essimine. "On behalf of this assembly of persons from near and far, I wish to express heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family. Perhaps we might comfort ourselves with a thought from Benjamin Franklin:"We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creature, is a kind of benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of aid become an incumberance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death Is That Way."
"Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure, which is to last forever. His chair was ready first, and he has gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you or I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him. In the meantime, although we are sorrowful at his death let us be encouraged by the life that he lived that we too may leave foot-prints on the sands of time. May His Soul Rest In Peace." Mr. H.M. McCoy paid tribute to the life and work of Mr. Hunter, and spoke of his own associations with him concluding with the the poem, 'The Psalm of Life' by Longfellow.
The sermon was preached by the minister of the Church who said among other things that Mr. Hunter was a man of unique qualities on whom he had come to depend a great deal on matters pertaining to the church.
At the conclusion of the service A Guard of Honour was formed by members of the C.P.A. at the west door while the casket was borne from the church to the strains of Chopin's Funeral March. The body was laid to rest in the Pease Bay Cemetery. Among those attending were His Excellency the Governor, Mr. K.R. Crook and Mrs. Crook; Hon. D.V. Watler, O.B.E., J.P., Deputy Governor, and Mrs. Watler; Hon. G. Waddington; Members of the Executive Council and Legislative Assembly and other Government Officials; Rotary; Masonic Lodge and Chamber of Commerce members.
Floral tributes were received from all parts of the world, and friends and relatives from as far away as Canada, U.S.A. and the Caribbean attended the service.
