The Brooklyn community on Friday, July 10, memorialized longtime Vincentian-born teacher and community activist Jackson Farrell, who died June 20. He was 73. Farrell, a retired Brooklyn public school teacher who served as president of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York Inc. for more than 30 years, died in his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Community advocates, former teachers, associates and representatives of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) attended a memorial service for Farrell at Bethany United Methodist Church on St. John's Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The service was officiated by Grenadian-born pastor the Rev. Wesley Daniel. "He was a leader and an educator," Hermina Claxton, who succeeded Farrell as president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., told Caribbean Life. "He was also kind, generous, outgoing, friendly and smart, to name some of his qualities. "He was involved and associated with many other groups and organizations," she added. "For some, he served as part of the executive body." Claxton said Farrell was also a former vice president of the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian organization in the United States, and a UFT delegate representing teachers in District 32 in Brooklyn. "He encouraged groups and organizations to be united; for, in so doing, they will become stronger," she said. "He was always punctual anywhere he went. "His performance was unwavering," Claxton added. "He got upset, frustrated when things were not done as were expected. "He spoke his mind," she continued. "He practiced hospitality. His legacy will forever live on in our lives. Rest in peace, Jackson. You'll be truly missed." [caption id="attachment_84383" align="alignnone" width="467"] Hermina Claxton, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association, Inc., reads the Old Testament lesson.Photo by Nelson A. King[/caption] [caption id="attachment_84382" align="alignnone" width="467"] Michael Joseph of Harmony Music Makers gives musical interlude on steelpan.Photo by Nelson A. King[/caption] Venda Smith Cyrus, the newly elected vice president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., told mourners that members had recently paid tribute to Farrell, summarizing their thoughts. "Jackie was, first of all, caring and loyal," Smith Cyrus said. "He called members on our birthdays, on holidays; and, before WhatsApp, he called us individually to remind us of meetings or even to discuss any personal issues he might have detected during meetings. "He continuously reached out to members who were no longer attending meetings," she added. "He never gave up on us. When situations changed, he graciously hosted meetings at his home and made sure we were fed before leaving. "However, this is where Jackie drew the line," she continued. "There was no meeting on Super Bowl Sunday. That had to be rescheduled. No ifs, ands or buts. Also rescheduled was Mother's Day. No meetings were held on that day either." Smith Cyrus said Farrell was also "principled and meticulous" and "well-versed in Robert's Rules of Order (Parliamentary)." In addition, she said Farrell was dedicated to organizational life. "Some of our members expressed that they copied his leadership skills and transferred what was learned to other groups they might be heading," Smith Cyrus said, adding that Farrell was "generous. "He gave without counting the cost," she continued. "As an ex-UFT chapter leader, he used union skills to help members with workplace issues." Additionally, Smith Cyrus said Farrell was "spiritual and jovial. "He was a prayerful man," she said. "He always included in his prayers sayings such as 'With Christ in our vessel, we will smile at the storm'; or 'All things are possible if we believe.' "Jackie was passionate about his beloved St. Vincent and the Grenadines," Smith Cyrus added. "He loved the country where he spent his formative years, and where he drew his last breath. "Jackie always concluded his prayers by asking God to guard, guide and protect us," she continued. "I am sure he wants this prayer to continue with those of us he left behind. Jackie Farrell, you are gone but will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Mr. President." [caption id="attachment_84384" align="alignnone" width="467"] COSAGO Vice President Laverne McDowald-Thompson gives tribute.Photo by Nelson A. King[/caption] [caption id="attachment_84385" align="alignnone" width="467"] Ancilla Friday pays tribute her cousin, Jackson Farrell.Photo by Nelson A. King[/caption] COSAGO Vice President Laverne McDowald-Thompson said that, considering the number of years Farrell served as president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., members "had to believe in their leader. "They had to know that he was doing a good job," said McDowald-Thompson, a former COSAGO president under whom Farrell served as vice president. "They had to know he was a leader with good leadership qualities; and, for those reasons, he was reelected time after time. Allow me to say that he was president for life." As a former COSAGO vice president, she said Farrell "brought a lot to the table. "He knew the backbone of this noble organization," McDowald-Thompson said. "He offered a lot of guidance. He was very passionate about the role of COSAGO in the community, one of which is to bring our people together, when there is something of national significance in our country. "He encouraged our commitment to help when needs arise," she added. "I gained some knowledge from him as we would have often communicated, when planning our meetings. "Today, we celebrate Jackie knowing that he gave of his time, his knowledge, his wisdom and his resources to help make the organizations what they are today," McDowald-Thompson continued. "We thank him for his understanding. Even when he didn't quite agree with some things, he worked with us. "He was very plain and simple," she said. "When he made his points, you either took it or left it. To his family, friends, well-wishers and organization members, let us cherish his memories." In his poetic tribute, Dr. Herman Ambris, a trustee of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York Inc. and Farrell's schoolmate at St. Vincent Grammar School, recited: "Goodbye, our friend… until/We lived, we laughed, we had our fun/We did so much while on the run/We knew of course it would not last/But now it's done/the dye's been cast. "Together for growth we oft did say/To teach to help and learn some way/For in our minds well did we know/There was no other way to go," he added. "Good bye our friend, we'll miss you, too/When the vote is tied what shall we do/Debate, content, or fight it out/Remembering just to watch the mouth. "Your mark was made, your legacy was embedded (three decades) in presidency," Dr. Ambris continued. "And while you served and did us well/Each one has a story they could tell/Mine would be short 'cause this I know/You planted seeds and let them grow/And through your work and serious play/You've left your mark/ Somehow, someway." UFT member Karen Alford said Farrell, as a union delegate, "stood up and served the teachers for what they wanted. "He devoted over 30 years to the students in Bushwick (Brooklyn)," she said. "Jackie brought the laugh and joy. "I want to say on behalf of the over 200,000 members, our public school system is better off because of Jackson Farrell." Ancilla Friday, Farrell's cousin, a COSAGO executive member and former president of the Brooklyn-based Club St. Vincent Inc., said Farrell was "always a pleasure. "We had disagreements, but we would work it (them) out," said Friday, whose husband, Crispin Friday, is president of COSAGO. In his sermon, Daniel, who served with Farrell as youth leaders in the Methodist Church in the Southern Caribbean, said that "as young people, we had a future for the church. "We had visions of the church being new," he said. "We were encouraged." Daniel added that Farrell spent his life spreading love and "holding us together." John Mercury, an executive member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association Inc., who served as liturgist, described Farrell as "a man of substance" who had a "positive impact" on those with whom he was associated and affiliated. Farrell's significant other, Jacqueline McKenzie, told Caribbean Life that Farrell "trusted in God wholeheartedly and depended on that higher power to order his steps. "He often reminded naysayers 'you are not God, and he alone controls things,'" she said. "The many times he reminded folks that 'all things are possible if you only believe' confirmed his dependence on the higher power to resolve all and any issues that he encountered. "He also provided encouragement to others to put their absolute trust in God for life's outcomes," McKenzie added. "On June 20, 2026, Jackson's God took control of his last breath and physically removed him from among us. "His work is done, his course is run, and he now rests with the ancestors," she continued. "If he could speak to us now, it would be to remind everyone to love friends, love family, follow your passion and trust God absolutely."