Mourners say farewell to Phillip Cornwall

The Seventh-day Adventist Church at Goshen, St Elizabeth, was crammed on Sunday, July 10, as scores of mourners turned out to pay their last respects to the late Phillip Cecil George Cornwall, who passed away on June 12.

Cornwall, the first child born on April 16, 1931 to Violet Weller and Egbert Cornwall, was sent home with glowing tributes in song and the spoken word.

Family friend Wilfred Robinson told mourners that Cornwall was industrious and loving. He shared that the deceased was always giving to others because he was very hard-working and skilled with his hands.

"He was very jovial, creative and experienced. At times he was rough but meant well. Many benefited from his craft; and he will forever remain in our hearts. He is only gone before us, because all of us will have to die one day," said Robinson.

Thelma Copeland-Miller shared that she grew up with Cornwall, who she admired as a very skilled man. She said he made several things for her and she will surely miss him.

Cornwall's son, Dr Cecil Cornwall, told the packed church and those under a tent on the compound that his father loved him, though he was a distant father. "I provided the very best for him, especially during his last years. He was very proud of his son, though I did not grow up with him. I did forgive him for his many years of absence," said a teary-eyed Cecil, who praised his aunt Dell for being his mother and father for many years.

Dr Cornwall said his father died a proud man, and that he saw him and his sister Barbara as achievers. He said his late father loved life and lived it; and that he has left him a real legacy.

Delivering the eulogy, Julian Dawkins, daughter of the deceased, said her late father was a man of many hats. She said he taught his craft at the St Elizabeth Technical High School for a short while. Like her brother, Dawkins said her father lived a life well spent. She shared that he loved to be independent.

Cornwall has left behind widow Daisy; seven children; five stepchildren; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters and other relatives. Following the thanksgiving service, his remains were buried at the family plot at Pepper in the parish.

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