The Brooklyn community on Friday, July 10, memorialized longtime Vincentian-born teacher and community activist Jackson Farrell, who died June 20. He was 73.\n<\/p>\n
Farrell, a retired Brooklyn public school teacher who served as president of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York Inc. for more than 30 years, died in his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines.<\/p>\n
Community advocates, former teachers, associates and representatives of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) attended a memorial service for Farrell at Bethany United Methodist Church on St. John\u2019s Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The service was officiated by Grenadian-born pastor the Rev. Wesley Daniel.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a leader and an educator,\u201d Hermina Claxton, who succeeded Farrell as president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., told Caribbean Life. \u201cHe was also kind, generous, outgoing, friendly and smart, to name some of his qualities.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was involved and associated with many other groups and organizations,\u201d she added. \u201cFor some, he served as part of the executive body.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Claxton said Farrell was also a former vice president of the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian organization in the United States, and a UFT delegate representing teachers in District 32 in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe encouraged groups and organizations to be united; for, in so doing, they will become stronger,\u201d she said. \u201cHe was always punctual anywhere he went.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHis performance was unwavering,\u201d Claxton added. \u201cHe got upset, frustrated when things were not done as were expected.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe spoke his mind,\u201d she continued. \u201cHe practiced hospitality. His legacy will forever live on in our lives. Rest in peace, Jackson. You\u2019ll be truly missed.\u201d
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Hermina Claxton, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association, Inc., reads the Old Testament lesson.Photo by Nelson A. King
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Michael Joseph of Harmony Music Makers gives musical interlude on steelpan.Photo by Nelson A. King\n<\/p>\n
Venda Smith Cyrus, the newly elected vice president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., told mourners that members had recently paid tribute to Farrell, summarizing their thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cJackie was, first of all, caring and loyal,\u201d Smith Cyrus said. \u201cHe called members on our birthdays, on holidays; and, before WhatsApp, he called us individually to remind us of meetings or even to discuss any personal issues he might have detected during meetings.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe continuously reached out to members who were no longer attending meetings,\u201d she added. \u201cHe never gave up on us. When situations changed, he graciously hosted meetings at his home and made sure we were fed before leaving.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, this is where Jackie drew the line,\u201d she continued. \u201cThere was no meeting on Super Bowl Sunday. That had to be rescheduled. No ifs, ands or buts. Also rescheduled was Mother\u2019s Day. No meetings were held on that day either.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith Cyrus said Farrell was also \u201cprincipled and meticulous\u201d and \u201cwell-versed in Robert\u2019s Rules of Order (Parliamentary).\u201d\n<\/p>\n
In addition, she said Farrell was dedicated to organizational life.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of our members expressed that they copied his leadership skills and transferred what was learned to other groups they might be heading,\u201d Smith Cyrus said, adding that Farrell was \u201cgenerous.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gave without counting the cost,\u201d she continued. \u201cAs an ex-UFT chapter leader, he used union skills to help members with workplace issues.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Additionally, Smith Cyrus said Farrell was \u201cspiritual and jovial.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a prayerful man,\u201d she said. \u201cHe always included in his prayers sayings such as \u2018With Christ in our vessel, we will smile at the storm\u2019; or \u2018All things are possible if we believe.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cJackie was passionate about his beloved St. Vincent and the Grenadines,\u201d Smith Cyrus added. \u201cHe loved the country where he spent his formative years, and where he drew his last breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cJackie always concluded his prayers by asking God to guard, guide and protect us,\u201d she continued. \u201cI am sure he wants this prayer to continue with those of us he left behind. Jackie Farrell, you are gone but will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Mr. President.\u201d<\/p>\n
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COSAGO Vice President Laverne McDowald-Thompson gives tribute.Photo by Nelson A. King
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Ancilla Friday pays tribute her cousin, Jackson Farrell.Photo by Nelson A. King<\/p>\n
COSAGO Vice President Laverne McDowald-Thompson said that, considering the number of years Farrell served as president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., members \u201chad to believe in their leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had to know that he was doing a good job,\u201d said McDowald-Thompson, a former COSAGO president under whom Farrell served as vice president. \u201cThey had to know he was a leader with good leadership qualities; and, for those reasons, he was reelected time after time. Allow me to say that he was president for life.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a former COSAGO vice president, she said Farrell \u201cbrought a lot to the table.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knew the backbone of this noble organization,\u201d McDowald-Thompson said. \u201cHe offered a lot of guidance. He was very passionate about the role of COSAGO in the community, one of which is to bring our people together, when there is something of national significance in our country.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe encouraged our commitment to help when needs arise,\u201d she added. \u201cI gained some knowledge from him as we would have often communicated, when planning our meetings.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we celebrate Jackie knowing that he gave of his time, his knowledge, his wisdom and his resources to help make the organizations what they are today,\u201d McDowald-Thompson continued. \u201cWe thank him for his understanding. Even when he didn\u2019t quite agree with some things, he worked with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was very plain and simple,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen he made his points, you either took it or left it. To his family, friends, well-wishers and organization members, let us cherish his memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his poetic tribute, Dr. Herman Ambris, a trustee of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York Inc. and Farrell\u2019s schoolmate at St. Vincent Grammar School, recited: \u201cGoodbye, our friend\u2026 until\/We lived, we laughed, we had our fun\/We did so much while on the run\/We knew of course it would not last\/But now it\u2019s done\/the dye\u2019s been cast.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether for growth we oft did say\/To teach to help and learn some way\/For in our minds well did we know\/There was no other way to go,\u201d he added. \u201cGood bye our friend, we\u2019ll miss you, too\/When the vote is tied what shall we do\/Debate, content, or fight it out\/Remembering just to watch the mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour mark was made, your legacy was embedded (three decades) in presidency,\u201d Dr. Ambris continued. \u201cAnd while you served and did us well\/Each one has a story they could tell\/Mine would be short \u2019cause this I know\/You planted seeds and let them grow\/And through your work and serious play\/You\u2019ve left your mark\/ Somehow, someway.\u201d<\/p>\n
UFT member Karen Alford said Farrell, as a union delegate, \u201cstood up and served the teachers for what they wanted.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe devoted over 30 years to the students in Bushwick (Brooklyn),\u201d she said. \u201cJackie brought the laugh and joy.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say on behalf of the over 200,000 members, our public school system is better off because of Jackson Farrell.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Ancilla Friday, Farrell\u2019s cousin, a COSAGO executive member and former president of the Brooklyn-based Club St. Vincent Inc., said Farrell was \u201calways a pleasure.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had disagreements, but we would work it (them) out,\u201d said Friday, whose husband, Crispin Friday, is president of COSAGO.\n<\/p>\n
In his sermon, Daniel, who served with Farrell as youth leaders in the Methodist Church in the Southern Caribbean, said that \u201cas young people, we had a future for the church.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had visions of the church being new,\u201d he said. \u201cWe were encouraged.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Daniel added that Farrell spent his life spreading love and \u201cholding us together.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
John Mercury, an executive member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., who served as liturgist, described Farrell as \u201ca man of substance\u201d who had a \u201cpositive impact\u201d on those with whom he was associated and affiliated.<\/p>\n
Farrell\u2019s significant other, Jacqueline McKenzie, told Caribbean Life that Farrell \u201ctrusted in God wholeheartedly and depended on that higher power to order his steps.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHe often reminded naysayers \u2018you are not God, and he alone controls things,’\u201d she said. \u201cThe many times he reminded folks that \u2018all things are possible if you only believe\u2019 confirmed his dependence on the higher power to resolve all and any issues that he encountered.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe also provided encouragement to others to put their absolute trust in God for life\u2019s outcomes,\u201d McKenzie added. \u201cOn June 20, 2026, Jackson\u2019s God took control of his last breath and physically removed him from among us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis work is done, his course is run, and he now rests with the ancestors,\u201d she continued. \u201cIf he could speak to us now, it would be to remind everyone to love friends, love family, follow your passion and trust God absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Brooklyn community on Friday, July 10, memorialized longtime Vincentian-born teacher and community activist Jackson Farrell, who died…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":296693,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[98,100,99,9,24,63],"class_list":["post-296692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn-headlines","tag-brooklyn-news","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}