Footprints | Bertie Bryan - Preacher man gone to further ministry

The thanksgiving service for Bertie Bryan was held on Sunday, May 21, at Balcombe Drive Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The man who founded the Pilgrims Church of God at Tower Hill, St Andrew was born on September 17, 1938, in Westphalia, Mavis Bank in the said parish. He made the transition from this world on April 30, after ailing for a while. He suffered a stroke in 2012.

According to relatives, Pastor Bryan was a vibrant and jovial mason who toiled long and hard in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands to support his many children. His wife Evarlete and a son had long predeceased him.

But he has made the exit before many of his relatives - seven sisters, two brothers, six sons (Gary, Eyon, Martin, Doward, Orville, Robert), daughter Eveat, three granddaughters, and one grandson.

Eveat, also called Betty, said she cannot truly describe the relationship she had with her father. He was not only a father to her; he was her 'brother', and a friend, who "had an upbeat personality, and an extremely bright smile that warmed the heart of anyone he came into contact with.

"Whether he was having a good day or not, he was always there, giving words of encouragement. He believed that once you include God, all things are possible." Eveat Bryan told Footprints, "Daddy was a dad I could depend on, one that I could share anything with."

Bryan's sister-in-law, Hermine Griffiths, said he was a good husband and a fun-loving, generous giver. "I will always remember the lovely times we had as a family. He was such an excellent cook and baker of sweet potato puddings, which I enjoyed. There was so much fun when he was around," Griffiths said.

Bertie Bryan was buried in the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in St Catherine.