Maas T’s legacy lives on - Deeside celebrates the life of Sylvester Green

Sylvester 'Mass T' Green, a beloved figure in Deeside, Trelawny, passed away on September 4, at the ripe age of 90. His funeral, held last Saturday at Hastings Baptist Church, was a heartfelt tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on his community.

Everyone in Deeside knew the knock-kneed father of four who embodied kindness and devotion.

Church secretary Marline Swaby shared a touching tribute, highlighting Maas T's unwavering commitment to his faith and community.

"Here is a man who was a devoted Christian deacon and a member of every community organisation in Deeside. He served with the Men's Brotherhood at the church and was an active member of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. The SDC [Social Development Commission] had his name on their rolls. You could call on him at a moment's notice to preach; Brother Green always arrived with a sermon ready to go!"

A lifelong farmer, Maas T was known for his generosity and wisdom. Donald Anderson reminisced about the valuable lessons he learned from him.

"He taught me and many other youngsters how to prepare the land to plant yam and other crops. I will never forget his reaction when thieves stole his crops. You could point out the thieves. His response was, 'God has blessed me by multiplying my crops. They are hungry so that's a way God is feeding them'. The thieves were so touched they began to beg rather than steal," Anderson said.

The Reverend Jeffrey McKenzie, who served the Unity Circuit of Baptist Churches, fondly recalled a memorable ride.

"When I arrived in 1985 and needed a way to Unity for a meeting, Deacon Green offered me his 'Rolls Royce' - his donkey! I rode all the way to Bunkers Hill and back. People had all kinds of remarks, including, 'Pastor, you're riding jackass!' But Brother Green was a dedicated, devout Christian gentleman. Before I left the circuit, we vowed that whichever one of us died first, the other would be at the funeral. So here I am today, paying my respects."

Carlton Holt added a humorous memory of Maas T's draughts skills. "He once faced a visitor who claimed to be a top player. After the first three moves, Maas T broke into laughter, saying, 'You can't play, man! Your moves show me you're just mouth talk!' The visitor ended up losing six-nil."

Maas T's wife, 85-year-old Iris, reflected on their 60 years of marriage with warmth and laughter. "He was a devoted husband who took care of our home. We were never hungry or in need of anything. We never quarrelled - just had long arguments about politics! We supported different [political] parties. But those arguments were just a little spat at the bedroom door," she laughed.

The Reverend Owen Brown, during his sermon, encapsulated Maas T's legacy: "Here was a dedicated and kind Christian deacon. Deacon Green was a prayer warrior; you never left his presence without him offering a word of prayer. In every harvest, you could count on the best yams, cabbages, and bananas from his farm, lovingly saved for the church and community. Maas T's spirit will live on in the hearts of everyone he touched."