Old Harbour bids farewell to local hero Errol Lewin

That the ceremony celebrating the life of Lewin was held on National Heroes Day, the symbolism was as powerful as it could get.

For in Lewin, who took on the role of managing director at Jamaica Bedding up to the day of his shocking death in Florida month ago, exists characteristics that represents the very definition of a human being of the highest repute.

His love for God, through the Seventh Day Adventist faith, love for family and love for humanity were all captured and rightly eulogized in a dignified manner that reflected the ethos that the late father, mentor, and beloved friend held dear to his heart.

Inside the hallowed hall of the Family of God SDA church on Brunswick Avenue, Spanish Town, President of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, Pastor Everett Brown, said Lewin’s exemplary life made him a “phenomenal Jamaican man” and a legacy “for all of us to emulate”.

“Today I pay tribute to an extraordinary, humble, patriotic and visionary Jamaican entrepreneur; a servant of the Most High God,” said the leader of the Seventh Day Adventist movement in Jamaica, who was also a personal friend.

Such worthy acclamations were however molded over many years, initiated in his humble upbringing with his six siblings in the community of Bodles, Old Harbour. He was an intuitive child who was fearless in the pursuit of his dreams spurred on by an insatiable appetite for knowledge. To those who knew him as boy, it wasn’t a surprise that Errol accomplished so much in a career spanning management, academia and entrepreneurism for more than half a century.

Along with two of his brothers – Lloyd and Federick (deceased) – they founded Jamaica Bedding, a mattress and furniture company, and juice manufacturing firm Ojay Koolers, both entities now under parent group Fairlane Holdings. These companies provided more than just jobs for the community but also serve as beacon of hope and inspiration amongst black nationalists here in southwest St Catherine, Jamaica and the diaspora.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding was a childhood friend of the Lewins and throughout those years Errol’s uniqueness stood out to him.

“We are all born in different circumstances and in life we face all sorts of challenges; and it was no different for the Lewins family. But some of us, confronted with different challenges, we become intimidated, afraid. We don’t want to venture because we are afraid to fail and therefore we accept life as life decides to treat us. Sometimes much below what we desire, much below what we need if we are to provide sufficiently for those who depend on us,” said Golding.

“Errol wasn’t one of those. He saw opportunities wherever he saw a challenge. And the challenge to him was how to grab those opportunities and make good use of them. And if you look at the programme and read his biography you would see how well he lived.

“For him, his horizon had no limit. He was limited only by his own ability to assert and exert himself. And that willingness had no limit either.

“He didn’t become a rich mogul who worshipped his riches and believe that having being so successful he needn’t rely on no-one but himself. He stayed close to his church, he stayed close to his friends. He took pride in the opportunities that he was able to create for the hundreds of people who worked in the various enterprises in which he was involved.”

Golding added: “We wrestle with the sadness, but today we come to give thanks and to celebrate one of our heroes of Old Harbour. He wasn’t hanged innocently in Sam Sharpe Square. He never went to King’s House as so many are doing now as we speak to receive an award. But he is still our hero because his life represents an example and template for so many others that if you prepare to work, if you prepare to be serious, if you prepare to consider not yourself but others and if you are prepare to recognize that all that you are prepared to do is impossible, unless your faith causes you to look up, he is a hero for all of us.”

For a man who has achieved so much and yet remain so humble speak volumes and that he understood his purpose during his 75 years as a living legend among mortals, contended Andrew Hancel, a director of the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce of which Errol was a member of the board.

Delivering the chamber’s tribute on behalf of President Treacha Reid, Mr Hancel said: “No matter the situation he had this unique way of making the difficult look easy. He was a reservoir of knowledge, tact and sobriety anchored in Christ at its foundation.

“During his time with us both on a personal and business level, he was our counsel; and after each conversation we leave feeling renewed, revitalized, re-energised.

“When Jesus instructed Peter to “feed my sheep” in the Book of John, I believe Errol took that specific charge and wear it like a badge of honour. Because every time we have a conversation with this wonderful being that once occupied the body now lying in that coffin he would use the opportunity to feed us with the kind of knowledge that will enhance our lives holistically. Therefore, Errol without question was a man of God who understood his assignment of what it means to live for God.

“There have been three presidents who have served the chamber of commerce in the last 10 years. And again without fear of contradiction, Errol was the presidents’ president.”

An alumnus of the Jamaica School of Agriculture (now College of Agriculture, Science and Education), University of the West Indies and Florida International University, Errol laid a foundation not only for himself but for others who will no doubt benefit long after his death.

Greg Lewin, reading the eulogy, printed in the programme notes, stated: “Let us remember Errol as a man of God who lived by faith. A man who believed in the things not seen but always believed there were better days ahead. A man of service, who persevered against all odds. A man who knew he would receive all things promised because he believed his efforts would provide better life for others. Today we say goodbye… The enduring legacy of his life of service will love on in our hearts as a source of great pride and joy… His service was commendable – he served his God, he served his family, he served his church, he served the people in his community and across the diaspora.”

His widow Audrey Lewin, says their marriage of 44 years which produced one child, daughter Anika, “weathered many storms” but this final act “has left an aching void in our hearts that only God and time can heal”.

“We’ve experienced better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health; but suddenly without a warning another storm surrounded my life; you were swept away in a flash.”

Flanked by siblings, Lloyd, Joyce, Standford and nephew Daine, Trenton Lewin, the youngest of the lot, said his late brother was “a true embodiment of love, compassion and godliness”.

“From childhood Errol was a jovial person with a lot of jokes, yet he was a fierce protector of his siblings. He had such a profound influence and was such a great role model that I tried to follow in his footsteps,” said Trenton who also attended St Jago High School with his late brother.

“Errol’s love knew no bounds, his kindness knew no limits and his faith was unwavering. He was truly a source of inspiration and a testament of what it means to live a life guided by faith and love.”

Dr Burnett Robinson, delivering the sermon, described his late friend, as a giver who didn’t know when to say no and who placed the interests of the common man above personal gains.

“A week before Errol passed I was in his office in Old Harbour… we sat in that office reflecting and I asked him one simple question: ‘how is business?’ and he said to me ‘the bottom line is not too big but I can keep the workers pot on the fire,” said Dr Robinson in a message that was powerful, piercing, filled with passion and punctured with fond memories that brought laughter amidst the air of grief.

“We will miss Errol. He touched lives,” he added.

“I declare today that the even the soil where he will be placed will be richer for his presence. Old Harbour will be poorer for his absence.”

The body of the late Errol Lewin was interred at the Dovecot Memorial Park the following day as under Jamaican law burials are prohibited on public holidays.