Father’s Day Marks a Lifetime of Fulfilled Dreams for 60-year Old Irving Francis

For 60-year-old Irving Francis, Father’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it is a celebration of a lifelong dream fulfilled.

With six children, Mr. Irving’s journey into fatherhood began early and has been a source of joy and transformation.

This, despite the rocky start to his relationship with his own father, stands as a testament to resilience and personal growth.

Mr. Francis recalls that as a young boy, he began to harbour resentment toward his father, influenced by his mother’s frequent complaints about unmet responsibilities.

As tensions escalated, his mother made the difficult decision to bring him to live with his father at the age of eight.

“My father took over from there and that is how I developed a love for him. I remember when I was living with my mother, actually, I didn’t even have a Bible, and when I went to live with my father, he had a Bible, and he went and bought another one,” Mr. Francis tells JIS News.

This experience led him to embrace the church and Christianity, finding comfort in scripture.

He now serves as a Deacon in a Pentecostal church in St. Thomas, where he resides and works as an Acting Entomology Assistant with the local Health Department.

Mr. Francis recalls cherishing the moments spent with his father, with whom he developed a close bond. His dedication was so strong that, at age 15, he made the difficult decision to leave school to assist in his father’s care during his illness.

These experiences have shaped Mr. Francis’ relationship with his own children, as he has always aspired to be a father who shares love, provides care, and raises them to be responsible citizens.

At the age of 19, on October 4, 1984, he welcomed his first child – a daughter.

“It was a joy,” Mr. Francis recounts, describing her arrival as a pivotal moment that kept him focused, as his deep desire to spend time with her steered him away from trouble.

“After getting her, I spent more time at home, and sometimes when I was at work, I couldn’t wait for the time to run out to come home to be with my little daughter,” he shares.

Two years after welcoming his first daughter, Mr. Francis celebrated the birth of another girl, followed by a third in 1991. The arrival of his first son in 1993 was particularly meaningful, marking a profound milestone in his journey as a father.

“That was so nice… that I got a little boy so that the [family] name could stand, so to speak,” he says, acknowledging the cultural significance of lineage and tradition.

Two more children— a son in 1995 and a daughter in 1998— completed his family. Today, his children have blessed him with 14 grandchildren, whom he proudly dotes on.

“It (fatherhood) makes things positive, because you know you have somebody depending on you now— you have a family. So, you know you have to go out and work to the best of your ability… to provide [for them],” Mr. Francis states.

He takes his role seriously, wearing many hats— father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Mr. Francis’ approach to discipline is grounded in trust, open communication, and instilling accountability.

He recalls an incident when one of his sons, then in basic school, had an altercation with a classmate and came home to share the experience.

“So, when I was in the kitchen and he was in the living room watching cartoons and eating snacks, I said to him, ‘make certain what you said to me a while ago is true, because.. we are going down to Mr. Patrick and we are going to hash it out’,” Mr. Francis says.

After some gentle prompting, his son eventually admitted that his initial story was not the truth.

“That’s how you have to raise them. Because the moment a child comes and tells some parents that, they might start making noise. But reacting that way doesn’t set a good example for them to grow up the right way,” Mr. Francis states.

Protecting his children has always been a priority for Mr. Francis. He recalls keeping his sons—then in grades six and four—away from certain areas in his community, fearing the influences they might encounter.

While they initially viewed him as a strict father, they have since expressed gratitude for his guidance and protection.

Mr. Francis’ dedication to his children goes beyond his role as a father. Each year, one of his daughters sends him a Mother’s Day wish—a gesture that initially puzzled him. When he asked why, she simply said, ‘Dada, you played both the mother and father role’.

This may trace back to a time when Mr. Francis bore the full responsibility of raising his children alone—a challenging period, yet one he embraced with a smile for their happiness.

He shares that he has a close relationship with his six children. However, he admits that he misses them now that they are grown and living independently. Four are married with families of their own, while three have migrated to the United States.

“It was a joyful time with them. Sometimes, I wish we could all be in one place again, but they’ve grown, and each has their own life to live,” Mr. Francis reflects.