‘Kind soul’ Errol Whyte was ‘a born leader’ | Family eulogizes late Jamaican who died in the US under cloud of suspicion

• • Jamaican family worried after US National goes missing
• • Jamaican man missing in the US since December found dead

And naturally so it was at Saturday’s thanksgiving service that all the hallmarks of this “kind soul” who everybody unanimously agreed was a “born leader”.

On April 3, 2023 the body of 63-year-old Whyte was found in a four-foot deep retention pond on the premises of an office complex on Greens Farm Road, Westport, Connecticut in the United States of America.

This was more than three months after the now deceased was reported missing by relatives on December 31, 2022. Two days prior to filing a missing person report with the Westport Police Department, Whyte had visited his son in Bridgeport where he spent a few hours before driving back to his home in Stamford.

But he never got home which led to a statewide search to find him until his body was found in what investigators labeled as suspicious.

Inside a near capacity-filled May Pen Baptist Church there was nothing doubtful about the life of Whyte, who established himself as a reputable jewelry maker and businessman in the Clarendon capital before migrating to the US 21 years ago working in the construction industry until his untimely passing.

As the fifth of 11 children, Whyte, affectionately called ‘Sim’ or ‘Ming’, wore the crown of a father in the eyes of most including his older siblings.

“During Sim’s upbringing in the Chatteau community, he stood out among the rest.  He was viewed as a born leader, had a fascination and inclination with business and anything adventurous. Always vivacious and was fun to be around,” said sister Marlene White Hancel in the eulogy co-read alongside niece Nicola Whyte.

“Whenever things got rough Sim would always find a solution and everything went back to normal. 

“Based on his approach, no one could resist having a meaningful conversation whether it may be business, friendly gestures or family matters.

“His smiles were captivating, contagious, and he was simply irresistible.

“On time, before the time or after the deadline, Sim would follow through to ensure he delivered on his promise.

“No one could fault him for being a workaholic.  Being a businessman, he remained goal oriented, and focused. Family was at the forefront of his life. Therefore, he took the responsibility of providing for his family and siblings seriously.”

They continued: “He had a passion for people – family, friends or strangers. Sim showed empathy to everyone. He was known to show his love and concern in any way, deed or kind.

“He was always willing and ready to assist any and every one.

“These and other qualities, Sim exhibited in his young adult years and as he journeyed through to his final breath.

“Based on Sim’s demeanour, one could not tell if he was a boy in a man’s body or man in a boy’s body, respect was due to anyone and everyone. It could be a baby, an adult or even an insane person, he was never partial.”

Rev. Oakley Greaves, delivering the sermon emphasized to congregants the importance of preparing for the afterlife while urging sinners to commit their life to Christ before it’s too late.

Rev William Newman prayed for the bereaved family but before doing so noted that the wedding ring he still wears was made by Whyte more than 30 years ago.

Whyte’s body was cremated in the US with the remains interned at the premises of his home in Chatteau district, Palmer’s Cross.

The autopsy report concluded that Whyte had drowned but it still remains a mystery what led to his sudden disappearance without leaving any clue.