Beloved UDC Janitor Gets National Honour for 42 Years of Dedicated Service

For 42 years, Melton Bascoe has been a familiar face at the Ocean Village Shopping Centre in St. Ann, where he is responsible for keeping the grounds clean.

Armed with a leaf blower, rake, broom and gardening tools, he carries out his daily tasks, which include clearing trash and litter, removing weeds, cutting grass, trimming and watering plants and carrying out general ground maintenance.

His job is to ensure that the facilities are clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing for users of the retail and commercial complex, which was built in 1972 by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).

It is managed and operated by the Ocho Rios Commercial Centre, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UDC.

On National Heroes Day, Monday, October 16, Mr. Bascoe will be presented with the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service, at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony at King’s House.

The 61-year-old is beloved by his colleagues at the UDC, who nominated him for his hard work and dedication over the four decades.

The National Honour is a fitting reward for Mr. Bacsoe’s unwavering dedication and commitment to his job.

His remarkable journey with the UDC began in 1978, when he was employed at the Ocean Village complex for a weekly wage of $26.

Dissatisfied with the level of compensation, he left after just three months, but life had other plans for him.

Faced with financial hardship, Mr. Bascoe returned to Ocean Village, where he was given two weeks of work.

He tells JIS News that he had borrowed $1 for his bus fare to apply for the job, which was initially intended to be a temporary solution.

As the weeks turned into months, Mr. Bascoe’s determination and work ethic kept him going, even while others left. With no indication from his superiors that he should stop working, he continued on the job.

It was Maintenance Manager, Winston Green, who recognised Mr. Bascoe’s steadfast commitment and extended his tenure.

“Mr. Green, some months later, came to me to say, ‘You’re still here? how?’. I said, ‘What do you mean if I’m still here? You guys pay me every week.’ He said ‘Oh, alright. Go ahead until I stop you’ and that’s how I ended up in the company for the past 42 years,” Mr. Bascoe laughs.

He would begin his day long before his 7:00 a.m. start time, arriving at the workplace between 4: 00 a.m. and 5: 00 a.m. to get the grounds ready for the public.

He took immense pride in his work and gladly assisted with various tasks, even beyond his official work hours, and went the extra mile by running errands for the office.

Mr. Bascoe’s dedication did not go unnoticed.

A manager, who recognised his potential, sent him for training in literacy and supervisory skills, empowering him to take on additional responsibilities and further enhancing his contribution to the company.

Over the years, Mr. Bascoe’s role evolved from using just rakes and brooms for cleaning to utilising a leaf blower for greater efficiency.

“I can do supervisory work now because I have experience,” he adds.

The job with the UDC has enabled Mr. Bascoe to provide a better future for his four children, who are all gainfully employed in law enforcement, healthcare, hospitality and merchandising.

As he approaches retirement age, Mr. Bascoe’s remains determined to continue serving as long as his health permits. His unwavering commitment to his job, his pride in his work, and dedication to his family make him a true exemplar of long and faithful service in the public sector.

Mr. Bascoe’s legacy at UDC serves as an inspiration to all, a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and a strong sense of duty.

He is expressing appreciation for the National Honour and thanks his manager and colleagues for their support and encouragement throughout his tenure.

“My manager, Angela Strudwick, is a very nice lady. She is always ahead of time and very hard-working. Anything at all, she will do it because even with the garbage bins she would go downstairs and wash them, which is my job,” Mr. Bascoe says.

“Now, that really motivates me, and I want to tell her thanks for everything that she has done for me,” he adds.

Ms. Strudwick, for her part, tells JIS News that Mr. Bascoe is deserving of the National Honor.

“I must tell you that once Mr. Bascoe is on duty, I do not have to worry. He really comes into work early [and carries out his duties]. So, he is very reliable, you can depend on him and I’m extremely happy for him,” she says.

“We took the initiative to nominate him for his hard work at UDC,” she adds.