MIAMI – A Condolence Book for the late Hon. Ralston “Rex” Nettleford, OM, Vice Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies will be opened at the Jamaica Consulate General in Miami on Tuesday (Feb. 16). The office is located at 25 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 609, in downtown Miami.
The Jamaican Diaspora and friends in South Florida will come together at a Thanksgiving Service to honor the honor the life of Professor Nettleford to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, starting at 4 p.m. at the Holy Family Episcopal Church in Miami Gardens.
The Condolence Book will also be opened
at the Memorial Service.
Professor Nettleford died in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday (Feb. 2) after suffering a heart attack in the United States, at age 76.
Tributes will be paid to his memory, on that occasion, by representatives of the cultural arts community, the University of the West Indies alumni of South Florida, the Jamaican Diaspora movement of the Southern United States and public leaders, among others.
Alumni members of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), which was founded by Professor Nettleford, will pay tribute in dance. Former NDTC dancer, Ms. Lois Requa-Dunn, who will join others to perform a dance tribute, said that she was elated to be asked to perform at the tribute. “He helped me fulfill my dream in becoming a dancer.” Ms. Requa-Dunn who danced with group for nearly 10 years described Professor Nettleford as an inspiration, her mentor, and “always ensuring that we were in touch with our goals I will miss him.” She looked forward to “giving of her best in dance in honor of a great man” she said.
The service is coordinated by the Holy Family Episcopal Church and the Consulate General of Jamaica. Consul General Sandra Grant Griffiths spoke of Professor Nettleford’s invaluable contribution to the entire Jamaican community, the wider Caribbean Diaspora and to all those whose lives were impacted by the profound work, vision and spirit of our beloved cultural icon and educator.”
An official funeral service will be held next Tuesday (Feb. 16) in Jamaica, at the University of the West Indies Chapel, Mona Campus. The NDTC will pay tribute to its founder, that same day at the Little Theatre in Kingston, beginning at 6:30 p.m. UWI, Mona Campus will also host a special tribute to Professor Nettleford on Thursday (Feb. 25).
