‘I miss them a lot’
Dad of Westmoreland triple fire victims gives moving tribute at funeral
Published:Monday | October 24, 2022 | 12:10 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
“I could not stand to be sitting in the church, so I do apologise. It is very hard for me to know that my three boys are there, Little Man, Dre, and Biggs.”
Those were the emotion-laced words of Adrian Laing as he struggled to compose himself while referencing the pet names of his three sons, seven-year-old twins Jayden and Jorden Laing, and eight-year-old Adrianno Laing, during their funeral Sunday.
The three brothers died in a house fire at their Springfield, Westmoreland, home on September 4, one day before they were slated to start the 2022-23 school year.
According to reports, the fire started sometime after a candle was lit in the house due to an electrical outage in the area.
Another sibling, 13-year-old Adrianna Laing, was seriously burned in the fire and had to be transported overseas for emergency surgery. She is reportedly speaking now and breathing on her own.
In a moving remembrance at Sunday’s funeral, which overflowed with mourners and was officiated by host pastor Dwayne Thompson, the senior Laing recounted how he always made himself accessible for his children even during odd hours of the night.
“Even when I was in my room and they were in their room, I would never close my door yet because I don’t want that when they wake up, my door is closed and they can’t come where me deh, so I always just push it up,” Laing told mourners at Footprints Seventh-day Adventist Church in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, on Sunday.
“I miss them a lot, trust me, I miss them a lot, but I have used the good times I spent with them to cover the situation. I do apologise that I couldn’t stay in the church, but I am just taking this time out to thank everyone who turned out and showed the love and reached out,” Laing added.
He also noted that he placed a package of Lasco Food Drink on Jayden’s coffin because the twin enjoyed the mixed beverage so much that the senior Laing would make it for him whenever he wished.
“You see Little Man, that is my Lasco baby. My mother gave him other things, but anytime he come where mi deh, I know Lasco is his thing,” said Laing, smacking his lips to demonstrate his son’s enjoyment.
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES
Other heartfelt tributes were delivered by relatives, close friends, and other presenters, including moving renditions of This is Just What Heaven Means to Me by the Truro Seventh-day Adventist Church; Four Days Late by the Foster Triplets; and Jerusalem by Sheffield Primary School, where the brothers were students.
The brothers’ classmates from Sheffield Primary School placed red roses on their coffins following the playing of Michael Jackson’s soul-stirring Gone Too Soon.
Vinnett Malcolm, principal of Sheffield Primary, expressed compassion and support for the grieving father and other family members.
“The three boys’ short but impactful lives have brought joy to many. To Mr Adrian Laing, we stand with you as you go through this difficult period, and they will always be in our hearts,” said Malcolm.
Meanwhile, Westmoreland Western Member of Parliament Moreland Wilson gave special commendation to Danito Ferguson, a resident of Springfield, who risked his life to save Adrianna and tried to save the boys on the night of the fire.
He said he has submitted an application for Ferguson to be recognised for his bravery.