Northern Caribbean University (NCU) student-family, Javon Pink, glances unexpectedly on the corridor of Cedar Hall clad in a Brodie sports jersey.

By: Suzell Wray

In what could be described as a warm morning on the hill of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), students and staff poured into the halls of the institution’s Main Chapel to pay their last respects to one many consider a brother, a kindred spirit and a friend.

Even though the atmosphere should’ve emitted a resounding aura of sadness and regret of the passing of a person many labelled as jovial, the sunshine that filled the walls of the chapel coupled with the breeze that ruffled the leaves above the baptism pool, instead demanded a celebration of the life and positive impact left behind by Javon Pink.

Affectionately known as ‘Blacks’ students and staff paid tribute to a personality they described as caring, willing and one quick to be of service to others. In a casket adorned in white, the body of Pink laid proudly at the altar on Sunday, August 23, 2020, as if silently welcoming the kind words and thoughtful memories that occasionally sent a wave of grins throughout the congregation.

Final year Communications Major at NCU, Rajae Danvers in Pink’s Eulogy, described him as one that was thoughtful and caring, coupled with his keen sense of entrepreneurship.

“He needed money and decided he would not steal for it because he believed in hard work, and you know what? He started washing cars and eventually started transporting international students to the airport. He was a fighter, an entrepreneur who believed in an honest living.”

Danvers affectionately shared that Pink had a rough start, adding that he grew up in boys’ home, however his level of ambition was evident.

“He wanted to start school, he had the ambition to start school and that’s very important. There are many people with certification but have no ambition. Pink didn’t have the certification but he had the ambition for higher education,” Danvers shared.

Raheim Betty, also a student who knew Pink when he resided on Cedar Hall, the university’s male dormitory, told the Hilltop Trumpet that Pink was someone you could ‘count on’ if you needed to purchase a meal in the town of Mandeville.

A business venture that he was known for on the university’s main campus.

“He was one of those dudes where he needed the friendship also and he needed that kind of council ship… so even though I’d ask him to do things for me I would also guide him on how to navigate his way through life. He was a good soul… and he will forever be missed.”

It was during the Thanksgiving ceremony when the melodious voices of G2H filled the halls of the Chapel that it was sealed in the hearts of all who were present, that Pink had touched the lives of many before his untimely departure.

One student who resided on Leila Reid Hall, the female dormitory, recalled to our news team Pink’s voice over the intercom on a given Sunday or Saturday night saying, “Those of you who want food in the town please make your way to the lobby, the bearer is here!’

She jokingly reminisced that he would repeat this several times with a warning before making his daily trips. She explained that he was always vibrant and had a burst of contagious laughter that was hard to ignore.

As the ceremony came to an inevitable close and Pink’s casket rolled into the awaiting hearse, students lined the corridors of the Chapel some making attempts to have one final glimpse of a friend who so easily became family.

The implications of the coronavirus pandemic have brought many inevitable changes to how operations will commence going forward on the beacon on the hill, the absence of Javon Pink will be a much harder change to contend with but nevertheless his life and impact will remain in the memories of all who knew him.