Altaman Ayton a living legend at 102 - Family relates tales of resilience, love and generosity

Altaman Ayton is considered a legend by his family and friends in the Clarendon community of Mocho.

Ayton, who turned 102 on February 22, has lived a life of resilience, love, and unwavering generosity.

Born into a world of rural simplicity, Ayton inherited his grandfather's passion for farming. His eldest child, Beryl, recounted how he would often share the fruits of his labour with neighbours.

"A lasting memory I have is my dad's kindness. He is a kind and humble man, so much so that they call him 'Humie' in the community. He planted yam, banana and other crops and he gave to other people. Sometimes we would say, 'Dad, hold back some,' but he would still give away, not listening to us," Beryl said.

Despite facing early hardships, Ayton's spirit remained unbroken. After tragically losing his first wife, he had the responsibility of raising four children, including a two-year-old. He found the strength to raise them single-handedly, a testament to his indomitable spirit and boundless love for his family.

"We hardly knew our mother. She died when we were very young. So our dad put one of us with a aunt, two with our grandmother, and I with my uncle's aunt," recalled Perline Ayton, the second of four children. Unfortunately, that situation didn't work out, so her dad picked her up and took her to be with her grandmother.

"I can say he loved us very much and didn't want us to suffer. He is a Christian person who believes in making peace. I can't recall my dad ever raised his voice at us; he is a soft-spoken man," Perline remembered.

In pursuit of better opportunities, Ayton ventured to the US as a migrant worker in the 1950s before heading to England in 1960. Settling in the picturesque town of Bedford, he carved out a new life and a new relationship that produced four more children and two stepchildren.

Almelda, the sixth child from Ayton's second marriage, was very young when he went overseas. She recalled living with her grandmother, not knowing what her father looked like, and how she was impressed by his appearance when she saw him for the first time

"I was about eight years old, and one day our grandmother dressed us up and said that our dad was coming from England. I remember when she woke us up and I saw this tall, brown, handsome man in the house. I was so joyful, and I said to myself, if this man should die, I will jump into the grave with him. That's how much I love this man," said Almelda.

During a recent gathering of the siblings to celebrate his birthday, Ayton recalled some details of his past. He asked his youngest son, Garry, if the trains still passed by the house. Gary answered yes, and then clarified that while he was living in Bedford, they were within close proximity to a train track and his father would listen to the passing trains each day.

Ayton's family tree is a testament to his enduring legacy. With 12 children from three marriages, including two stepchildren whom he raised as his own, 35 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, his lineage spans generations. When he was able to do so, he did not hesitate to file for his children so that they could have a better life.

As he celebrates his remarkable milestone, Ayton, who resettled in Jamaica in October 1988, serves as an inspiration to all who know him. His journey embodies the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to conquer even the greatest of adversities.

According to his children, he was a protector of women, and his favourite line is "Women must be treated like flowers." They say he does not eat canned mackerel for no obvious reason, but he loves chicken and pork.

"The human qualities of love, kindness and being a peacemaker he possessed, and his Christian principles, more than his diet, would have contributed to his longevity," Garry asserted.