Pinnie will be missed

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It was about a week ago that I learnt of the passing of Renford Pinnock, Sr. I had been wondering what became of him, as I no longer live in his parish.

I saw him for the first time in 1964 or 1965. It was a Saturday morning. I was with my father and up Adelaide Street came this young man with cricket gear. My father stopped to speak to him at the corner of Red Church Street and Adelaide (for those who haven’t picked up, I’m speaking of Old Spanish Town) and asked about the match later that day.

I don’t remember if my dad introduced us or if, after the brief chat, he said, “That was Renford Pinnock”. I was impressed.

YEOMAN SERVICE

We met several times after that and we always greeted each other. He gave yeoman service to St. Catherine Cricket Club. At the time, he lived at the bottom of Adelaide Street and we lived on Red Church Street.

On days of away matches, he would wait for conveyance at the corner of Adelaide and White Church streets. I knew his wife and we, too, greeted each other.

What still amazes so many of us is that such a reliable middle-order batsman and stylish wicket-keeper never made the West Indies team. I suppose that as he got older, he was reconciled to the fact that he wouldn’t make the team. A nice man.

I am saddened at his passing. Sincere condolences to his family.

NORMAN THOMPSON