St James Bids Farewell to Custos Corrodus
By: , March 20, 2023
Photo: Okoye Henry
Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (centre), expresses condolences to Dean Corrodus (right), son of the late former St James Custos, Hon. Ewen Corrodus, at the funeral service for the late Custos held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall on Sunday, March 19. Looking on (from left) are the current Custos of St James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin, and another son of the late Custos, Paul Corrodus.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), greets the granddaughter of the late former St. James Custos, Ewen Corrodus, Sydney Corrodus, while his son, Paul Corrodus looks on. Occasion was the funeral service for the Late Custos at the Montego Bay Convention Centre at Rose Hall on Sunday, March 19.The Full Story
The late former Custos of St James, Hon. Ewen Corrodus, was fondly remembered as a great leader who was a friend and mentor to all, at his funeral service held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre at Rose Hall on Sunday (March 19).
The late Custos, who served the parish in the position for nine years, died on February 20, 2023 at the age of 81 after ailing for some time.
Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, and Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, headed the list of officials, who joined close family, friends, justices of the peace (JP) and well-wishers in celebrating the life of Mr. Corrodus.
Those in attendance included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang; Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (West), Hon. Homer Davis; Former Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding; Senator Charles Sinclair; and current Custos of St James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin.
The Governor-General recalled the late Custos’ kind and caring nature in his remembrance, while Mr. Holness read the first lesson from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
The Governor-General said that Custos Corrodus had a contagious passion for “God, his family, his Church, his business, his friends, his parish, the justices of the peace and Jamaica as a whole.”
He said that the late former Corrodus personified the qualities of true leadership and inspired those around him.
“His empathetic nature and innate understanding of the diverse needs and concerns of others, allowed him to forge strong connections with those he served, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose,” the Governor-General said.
“It shows that true leadership is not about asserting one’s authority but about empowering others to achieve their full potential,” he added.
Dr. Chang, in his tribute, said Mr. Corrodus raised the bar of the office of the Custos as he was always available and accessible to the community.
Additionally, he noted that late Custos made it a point of duty to visit communities and take part in activities that were in the best interest of the people and parish.
“This was the man Mr. Corrodus was. A leader in his own way. A good man and a good business leader. A gentleman who displayed a high level of integrity all his life,” said Dr. Chang, who is Member of Parliament for St. James North Western.
The funeral service was followed by interment at Hillview Memorial Gardens at Moore Park, St. James.