'Gone too soon'

PAUL A REID, Observer West writer

Thursday, February 01, 2007

MONTEGO BAY, St James

Montegonians from all walks of life have expressed surprise at the passing of Aston Clinton Lawrence, known to thousands as simply 'Pop'.

The 72-year-old icon of the Montego Bay Boys Club passed away on Monday night while directing activities at the institution on River Bay Road where he has served for the past three decades.

David Earle, who has worked alongside Lawrence for several decades, told the Observer West this week that Lawrence had been complaining of having "gas" since Sunday. Some time after 7:00 pm on Monday, Earle said a young member of the club called him as she thought he was not "looking good".

When they got there, Earle said, they saw him sitting in his customary position on a stool at the club's front door. He appeared to have problems breathing.

Earle said an alarm was raised and with the assistance of several members, they got him into a car and rushed him to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Earl said Lawrence's passing had created a "huge vacuum" that can never be filled.

Well known gym instructor and philanthropist, Lloyd Young, who was instrumental in the formation of the club told the Observer West, he had known Pop since childhood and was one of the first batch of members who joined the club in 1942.

Young said the club was formed by the late Archdeacon Harrison from the St James Parish Church with the view to creating a place where under-privileged boys from Montego Bay could hone their skills.

Lands were donated by the late Peter Kerr-Jarrett, owner of Barnett Estates, while Charlie Agate, father of Cecil Agate, and Young were directors.

Young said the news of Lawrence's passing was a shock to him, saying 'Ackee-pop' as he called him was hardly ever sick.

Mark Kerr-Jarrett, whose father was one of the founders, said while he never had much direct contact, he remembered his father "spoke very highly of him and all the time said Montego Bay was so lucky to have him because he was so dedicated to the boys and girls.

"Without him, it really wouldn't have worked," he said.

Lawrence was described as an outstanding football player in his time, playing for several teams, including Barracks Old Boys, Chetwood and Black Hawks before joining the Boys Club.

Earle, who played a number of seasons with Lawrence, said he read the game well and several teams were built around him and striker Alphanso 'Kiddie' Hill.

Lawrence is survived by his wife Anita and three children.