Dear Editor,

My memory of Professor Rex Nettleford was as a third-former “playing the fool” (about five boys) when we saw this gentleman clad in a large dashiki approaching.

At first we thought he was a teacher and were about to “splurt” but stood our ground when we realised he was not. He came over and scolded us telling us that it was a privilege to attend Cornwall College and we should not waste time.

That was about noon and school had finished early because of our graduation ceremony. Those were the good old days when regular students attended the ceremony in school uniforms — but that is another story.

At the time, we did not know who he was, but we certainly knew when our headmaster Mr Crick announced him as a CC old boy and the guest speaker at the ceremony, and proceeded to read a seemingly endless list of Professor Nettleford’s many achievements.

His address was riveting and there was complete silence (not an easy task with teenage boys of any era), and then thunderous applause at the end.

Truly a great man and a hero.

The Prof is dead. Long live the Prof!

May his soul rest in peace.

Audley Morris

orville_2005@yahoo.com