Newton Rodney gives thanks for life at his 70th birthday soiree
Published:Sunday | March 8, 2020 | 12:00 AMJanet Silvera - Outlook Writer
It was supposed to be a surprise party, up to one year ago, but Newton Rodney’s daughters knew they couldn’t trust their father not to go to work and miss his own celebration.
The 70-year-old business tycoon, who operates Mobile Welding and Engineering, in addition to a number of other businesses headquartered in Montego Bay, was fêted in fine style by his children Lorrine, Norma, Neesha, and Nicole, mom Meggan and grandchildren Kaleb and Kelechi at an event tagged ‘Give Thanks for Life’, held at their sprawling Kinross Estate in St James recently.
Rodney’s close associates and church family, including Custos of St James Bishop Conrad Pitkin, Bishop Burchell McPherson, Monsignor Eremodo Muavesi, former banker Dunbar McFarlane, who was also celebrating a birthday, were among the intimate group of A-listers in attendance.
The birthday boy’s neighbour, the indomitable songbird Karen Smith, serenaded guests, taking them down memory lane with 1960s, ’70s and ’80s music, winning the hearts of those who are accustomed to classic melody.
When it came time to speak about the man who said, “All I want on my invitation is ‘Give Thanks for Life’,” the general consensus was, “Newton Rodney is honest, hard-working, kind, conscientious, and industrious”.
Attorney-at-law Ronald Paris said Rodney had the memory of an elephant, was disciplined and intuitive.
Rodney himself will tell you that he has lived well. “I have worked hard, I have played, and I have lived well.”