Dr. Sydney O. Beaumont, who served as president of West Indies College, now Northern Caribbean University (NCU) from 1962 to 1964, died on July 9, 2012. He was 94. Dr. Beaumont was the first Jamaican president to assume responsibilities at the helm of the institution, and later served the people of Jamaica as a member of the Parliament from 1980 to 1989.
Here is a tribute to the late Dr. Sydney O. Beaumont from the book, “Dewdrops- An Anthology of Original Poems”, written by his wife Dorothy Elaine Beaumont (nee West). The former NCU President is also survived by his sons Craig, Gary, Duane, Michael and Maxwell.
Man
goeth forth to love and to war!
To
tackle a lion! To conquer a star!
To
overcome hardships is his gift
To
question and struggle all humans to lift!
His
muscles and tendons pulsed with strength
Will
overcome problems and hardships at length
But
muscles, brain thrust, and guidance more
Aspiring
he, quickly all good things adore.
Dr. Sydney O. Beaumont - file
Man
speaks of temples but means none the less
Small,
clean safe apartments where he can undress!
He
lights with laughter when mentioned names
Are
more serious of justice than children’s games.
He
shrieks displeasure at someone’s stuff
When
he of full toughness has had quite enough
He
inward weeps expressing sorrow
But
outwardly calm he lives for tomorrow
But
man is all a woman waits for
Though
comfort and sympathy beep by the hour!
Though
dripping tears and emotions leak
Though
evidence riddled with love nonsense speak
Though
for a visit he’ll travel far
He’ll
erect a pushed out and no-longer bar
He’ll
hide disappointment’s bursting rage
And
smile approbation while hugging the stage!
And
when its done and purely sought out
Evidence
clearly will well sharpen the clout
Of
man’s inventions selfless but daft
No
grand, great hurrah will unsettle the raft!
For
man’s not monkey! No monkey he!
Whether
of full part or of sure destiny
Of
God he’s part of Jesus God’s Son
And
ever will be when the grand race is won!
-Dorothy Elaine Beaumont
(nee West)-from her book
“Dewdrops-
An Anthology of Original Poems”