Winston Sill's last click ... scores pay final respect to Gleaner photographer

Media veterans, young journalists ‎and public relations specialists were among the scores of mourners who poured into the Church of the Transfiguration in Meadowbrook, St Andrew this morning for the funeral of Gleaner photographer, Harold Winston Sill.

Sill, who worked at The Gleaner for more than 20 years, died on July 31 after a period of illness.

He was 73.

Longtime colleague, Head‎ley 'Dellmar' Samuels, leading the tributes, said Sill made his mark in his own quiet way, leaving behind a legacy.

"‎I could identify his photographs anywhere at anytime,"said Samuels.

‎He also glowingly recalled memorable moments with the master photographer.

"‎Whether it was on the party circuit or at the many clubs that we visited, we knew how to have fun, and we did have fun," Samuels said.

Veteran journalist, Ben Brodie, speaking on behalf of the Press Association of Jamaica, echoed some of Samuels' sentiments underscoring that Sill was a true professional.

He said Sill's advancement in media from a dark-room technician in the pre-digital era to a master photographer, demonstrated the merit of "starting journalism at the bottom".

"Sill was a media ambassador," Brodie continued, noting that he consistently demonstrated professionalism,  representing excellence in news photography and journalism in general.

Sill's son, Garth, was emotional when he mounted the podium of the St Andrew edifice to deliver the remembrance.

"He was named Winston after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill," said Garth of his father.

"From a tender age, it was clear that Winston Sill was passionate about anything he would do."

Garth said in the early days, it was flying kites, then it became photography, and so there was hardly a moment ‎Sill would be without his camera.

"He dedicated his life to his love which was photography," said Garth, but noted that his father equally loved his family.

‎The officiating pastor, Reverend Father Edward Jennings reiterated the need for reinforcing the spirit of community.

"Our actions are no longer guided by what we say to others and how they feel," he lamented.

"Our responsibility to God cannot be divorced or separated from those around us."

Jennings also called for the media to strengthen their efforts to educate the people about this country, Jamaica.

"Education is critical to any effort to restore this country of ours," he preached.

"The responsibility to educate our people takes precedence over the responsibility to inform."

Sill is being buried at the Dovecot Memorial Gardens.