Delivered by James Dumont (former Class mate, GBSS)
GOOD AFTERNOON ALL….
I have been deputed by Charmaine, Joe’s daughter, to give the following BRIEF ACCOUNT of his life.
In a 2 Storey House, located on Tyrell Street, 64 years ago, Lyris gave birth prematurely to a baby boy who was named ERNEST GREGORY GIBBS. He was later nicknamed by Miss Eva AS JOE, not derived from the name JOSEPH, but rather from the name given to the SAILORS who frequently came to the Carenage off the NAVY SHIPS of those times. According to Miss Eva, he resembled the young Sailors. The name Joe stuck with him as he journeyed through childhood from the first school he attended..at TEACHER BLANCH. He continued on to Primary School at WESLEY HALL SCHOOL and took extra lessons during his holidays preparing him for the move to GBSS in 1959. His mother worked very hard to ensure that Joe attended the very best school on the Island at the time. MAMA LILA, Joe’s grand-mother, made fudge that he would take to WESLEY HALL to sell to help with school expenses.
At school, Joe took part in all sports but his passion was found in CRICKET.
He played cricket every chance he got as his Cricket mate Richard McIntyre would have gone through in detail. An opportunity playing cricket lead him to finally meet his father in Trinidad. Neville Gibbs introduced Joe to his rather extended family in Trinidad. Whether Joe enjoyed that visit we will never know as he hardly spoke of the meeting. We have learnt however, that Neville Gibbs died at the early age of 62 but Joe carried on several traits of his father.
As his life continued through GBSS, the following is an account from Tony De Coteau, now a resident of Miami in the US but a former GBSS school mate of Joe’s.
“I heard for the very first time that there was a Form 2 Special in the GBSS, It. was our entry class of 1959. If that is true, then somebody, presumably our headmaster, Mr. K I M (Sackies) Smith (RIP), must have had a premonition that in that class were going to be a bunch of really special youngsters. It must have been him, because he had that uncanny gift of spotting real talent.
There was Carlton “Carlie” Hosten, though the smallest of the class, took no nonsense from anyone. Carlie went on to be a lawyer, but hardly had any time to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He died shortly thereafter. Sylvester “Plato” Date who went on to be an elementary school Principal, and Linus “Socrates” Walker, an attorney, were among the illustrious group that made up our form 2 Special. Please observe a moment of silence to bid farewell to those three who have left us far too soon.
And then there was “Joe” Gibbs who provided us with comic relief. There are some people, who just by looking at them will make you laugh. Joe was one of them. Joe’s talent was played out for all to enjoy with our Barbadian Spanish teacher who had a heavy and distinct lisp, being the butt of his jokes. Mr. St. Hill was going around the class asking students at random to say the Spanish word for this or that English word. He asked Joe to say the word for 50. Bold and straight-faced, Joe replied in true imitation of Mr. St. Hill’s accent with lisp and all, “Shinquenta”. The class erupted in laughter. Mr. St. Hill responded in his typical Bajan accent punctuated even more so by his characteristic lisp, “My dear boy, don’t you know that you are in the book of detention.”
Detention didn’t faze Joe any. At every opportunity Mr. St. Hill provided, Joe would pounce on it. In Trinidad, they pronounce it “Sah Wah”. In Puerto Rico it is pronounced “San Juan”, but just to annoy Mr. St. Hill, Joe chose to pronounce it “San Jhu Wan.” Of course that was followed by another detention.
You would laugh your head off to see Joe on the football field. He was one of the most awkward persons to ever kick a football, but when it came to the cricket field, all of Grenada got to see his great ability on display as a very good spin bowler.
In August of 2009, the year of our St. John’s Reunion, I met Joe for the last time at one of our mutual friends, Winston “Dooray” in Gouyave. We laughed and talked about the old times, and I teased him that I knew all along that he was a secret Gouyaveman. Joe looked so well with his trademark big glasses that I was shocked when I later heard that he was gravely ill. It was through the posting on www.goGouyave.com that I made connection with his lovely daughter, Charmaine, who I have yet to meet. Funny that she thought that I was living in Grenada when I was writing the stories about Joe, our Form 2 Special comedian. I hope she now knows that those of us who were a part of that 2 Special fraternity regarded each other far more than just another classmate.
James Dumont who is reading what I’ve written and I, have been trying to list all the names of that remarkable group of youngsters. Some names have escaped us, and there are others who we are unable to locate. Joe’s name is on the top of our list, and there he’ll stay in our hearts.
I always wonder what is there on the other side. If it is true that the dead does get to meet each other there, then I know Joe will be welcomed with open arms by those of our 1959 Form 2 Special class as well as his other GBSS friends who have gone before him.
Charmaine my dear and the rest of Joe’s family, please accept sincere condolences from me, on behalf of his old 2 Special classmates, who have so many reasons to burst out laughing whenever we think of our old classmate and buddy. “Joe”, “Shinquenta”. “San Jhuwan”, “Dinero” Gibbs. Rest in peace my friend.
Continuing from Charmaine’s edict…..
Not long after graduating from GBSS, Joe’s affiliation with the Ministry of Health began which Andre Worme described in detail.
Other AFFILATIONS included his new found love (Brenda) who later became his wife. In 1973 Joe travelled to the UK to meet his intended wife and after being recommended by Sir Paul Scoon he immediately started work with the Lambeth Council in the Health Ministry. By September 1974 wedding bells rang followed by Joe’s first born Charmaine. Soon after, Joe’s family began to grow with their second daughter Nadia, born in 1979. Even though Joe had a comfortable Life in London it was evident that he was MISSING GRENADA. By this time his favourite political figure MAURICE BISHOP was Political Leader and he was only too happy to return to his SOIL. Family continuing, his son CHE was born in 1981 and it was from here on we can truly say that Joe really began living life to the FULLEST AS WE KNOW!
Life was good. Joe returned to the Ministry of Health in Grenada. He purchased a beautiful home in Golf Course and his children were growing up. Joe was dedicated to his family and worked very hard to ensure they were well looked after. Her Majesty the Queen awarded Joe with the British Empire Medal which everyone was so proud of.
His children will remember his love for Music as he played albums after albums at home. His favourites include SING OUT MY SOUL and songs by the Mighty Sparrow and Jimmy Cliff. The children will also remember the phrases…LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION and LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF MAURICE BISHOP.
Joe left his imprint on all three children, one way or the other. With Charmaine his charismatic and talkative personality, Nadia has his prominent facial features and Che, his long legs and belly.
His more recent life included many female friends, too many too mention,…… his love affair with BLUE DANUBE AND STAFF.
Joe OFFICIALLY retired from Government Service 4 years ago but felt the need to SERVE and insisted in continuing to work which he did until the time of his illness.
Joe made decisions that no one would ever understand but he had the biggest heart ever. Often referred to as Father Theresa, Joe lived life to the fullest right up till the end. He did his part in every aspect.
Joe Gibbs the GREAT, GONE BUT NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN…LONG LIVE THE SPIRIT OF JOE GIBBS!!
