Harold George Willis

Harold George Willis (Pal)was born on December 16th, 1935 to Eulalee and Nehemiah Willis in the District of Derry in the Parish of St Mary, Jamaica WI. He started his early education at Derry All Age School in Woodpark St Mary. Having attained his early scholastic aptitude he worked in the Sugar Industry for a short time, not satisfied with his educational achievement he moved on to Bogle Vocational School where he studied Agriculture. It was there that he harnessed the skill of grafting which played an integral part in his career helping farmers.

As faith would have it Pal met and married the lovely Vinel Valencia Marsh and started their family in the district of Enfield, St Mary. Their loving union results in the birth of three beautiful daughters: Winsome, Carlene and Gaye. Seven grandchildren: Francois, Kimberly, Stacey, Kerece, Jodi, Kerry-Ann and Kevaughn. Six great-grandchildren: Rajaun, Kyla, Ameerah, Sir Ameer, Ashleigh and Abigail.

Pal, being a hard worker, was quickly promoted to Senior Extension Officer with responsibilities to supervise Extension Officers in St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas. He was successful at anything he put his mind and his hand to and was loved by the farmers and his colleagues. Work took him away from his family a lot but when he returned home he would come home with enough food to feed a village.

Dad Willis enjoyed life to the fullest, he was the life of the party and was an excellent dancer so much so that when he entered a party his friends were envious as they knew they would not get another dance as all the girls wanted to dance with him. He was an avid cricketer and played well and narrowly missed out on playing professionally. Dad was very involved in

politics and a die hard PNP supporter and he was a member of the Executive branch of the party. He was also a role model to the young men and helped with their cultural development.

Dad had some traditional things that he would do with the family such as to take them to the Annual Christmas play call Pantomime, put on by Jamaica’s famous Playwrights: Louise Bennett and Ranny Williams each year during the Christmas season. He would also attend the seasonal performances put on at the Little Theatre throughout the year, as well as the final of the annual festival song competition.

Dad was a lover of Good Food, to have fun there had to be plenty of food and drinks. The cost was never a problem; he would buy fresh fish and lobsters and other seafood from the fishermen. Sometimes he would get a whole goat from the butcher and on his way home he would pick up some of his cooking buddies. They would make a fire in the backyard and within a few hours we would be having a feast.

Pal was a people person and always had a lot of positive friends around him. Friends that kept him grounded and looked out for his welfare. He loved family and kept in touch with his brothers and sisters on a frequent basis. They were a happy group. Jokes and laughter would be endless when they are together. Each trying to outdo the other with the best joke. They all shared a common bond with the love of music and dancing. At least once per month he would make that trip into the city of Kingston to check on his parents.

Our beloved Dad started to have Health Issues at a young age while in Jamaica but he was a fighter. He stayed strong on his journey, and migrated to the United States with his beloved wife in 1996. The Lord kept him in good spirits throughout the years of his illness.

His wife Vinel predeceased him on April 5th 2020, four of his siblings, also predeceased him sisters Rosie, Rosalie, brother Oswald and Oliver. He transitioned from the life on July 1st, 2021 and left to Cherish his memory are daughters: Winsome Gordon, Carlene Gopie, and Gaye Bryan. 7 Grandchildren: Francois Gordon, Kimberly Gordon, Stacey D’Aguilar, Kerece Saleem, Jodi Daniel, Kerry-Ann Bryan and Kevaughn Bryan and 6 Great-grandchildren: Rajaun, Kayla, Ameerah, Sir Ameer, Ashleigh and Abigail. Sons-in-Law: Marcus Gordon, Carl Gopie (AKA Richie), Noel Holness. Grandsons–in-law: Ameer Saleem and Ramon D'Aguilar. 5 Brothers and sisters: Roy Mothersille, Noel Willis, Joyce Mothersille, Hyacinth McCloud, and Verona Willis-Jenkins. A host of Brothers and Sister-in-law, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

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