Farewell to the Wolfe

The irony was glaring as inmates at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre peered over a perimeter wall from their jail cells upstairs – so close it seemed they were almost a part of the funeral – to bid farewell to former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe yesterday.

Next door, dozens of those who put them there and some who tried to save them sat sombrely inside the St James Cathedral, St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town – the oldest Anglican Church in the Western Hemisphere – paying tributes to a man whose titles and contributions to society seemed infinite. A deployment of policemen stood guard.

To most, he was a former chief justice. To others, he was a brother, a proud graduate and former chairman of the St Jago High School board, a childhood friend, a son of Spanish Town, a devout Anglican, and a former chancellor of the Anglican diocese. And, of course, an excellent and devoted husband.

But there was one endearment that took centre stage yesterday – “Daddy”.

For Justice Wolfe's beloved daughters Althea, Natalie, and Simone Wolfe-Reece, the ascription will forever evoke memories of discipline, perseverance, arguments, fun and laughter whenever they think of it. “Daddy” also could not dance.

In a final heart-to-heart conversation, the trio took turns expressing their love for the man whose grandchildren wept openly during the service.

His widow, Audrey Wolfe, seemingly the strongest among the relatives, sat silently, looking on at an urn with her husband's ashes and a photograph of him smiling back.

She smiled gracefully as well-wishers offered greetings.

'QUITE A CHARACTER'

“As a father you generously gave time to us, and was always present for the mundane as well as the more significant moments in our lives,” said Althea, the eldest daughter. “You always came home for bath time when we were little. This was much to Mommy's annoyance, as the bathroom would be flooded each evening as you allowed us to splash our way through imaginary games.”

“As the eldest child with a somewhat loquacious spirit, everyone assumed that I would follow in your footsteps, but I had absolutely no interest in pursuing law,” she said. “You noticed that I was not just passionate but really excelling at languages. You were so proud.”

“What will be there forever are the memories of a family man who always had time and surrounded us with a feeling of love,” she continued.

Wolfe's grandchildren sobbed uncontrollably, as the reflections of their grandfather's daily devotions, and his belief that “only lazy people slept past 5:00 a.m.” placed smiles on a few faces among them.

For his second daughter, Natalie, her father's life was filled with extraordinary facets, and even though he was not perfect, he was a man of hard work and excellence, who made her terrified of walking in his footsteps for fear of failure. Today, however, she is confident that she has done him proud.

“Daddy, you were confident and your confidence was mistaken for arrogance. You were principled and believed strongly in serving and connecting with people from all walks of life. You could dine with kings and be just as comfortable with the man on the corner of the street,” she noted.

“That, to me was humility, a characteristic which I believe I share with you. Thank you for giving me the gift of humility,” she said sarcastically, the congregation bursting into laughter. “Daddy, you were quite a character, quick of wit, sharp-tongued and humorous.”

'THANK YOU, DADDY'

Lensley Hugh Wolfe, OJ, died on April 18 at age 85. His body was cremated, and his funeral was attended by several highly placed members of Jamaica's judiciary, including Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, and Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte.

The funeral was graced with renditions from the University Singers and a musical medley by the Jamaica Folk Singers, the type of music of which Natalie said her father was a lover.

“This morning our conversation is not me saying goodbye to you, because how can I say goodbye to my rock, my foundation, my biggest supporter, my mentor, and later in life... way later, my friend?” questioned youngest daughter Simone Wolfe-Reece. “Dad's favourite, but we don't want the others to know.”

“You will be a part of me for eternity. That will not change and this morning is about me publicly saying thank you, Daddy, the best father a girl could have. A committed husband, leader, professional, and friend,” she continued, recalling how her father was quick to pass her off to her husband, how he was more proud of himself than of her when she was called to serve as a judge, and how he made no haste to visit the hospital when her child was born.

“Your response was 'you never see any baby born and run', so you figured she would be there when you got there,” she said to a burst of laughter inside the church.

Simone, however, took the time to tackle her father, even in death, on some issues of concern she had been holding in for years.

“That morning, when I was twelve years old when you woke up and the rightful owner removed the tyres from the car and left it on four blocks in the driveway; Natalie and I were quite content with staying home from school that day. You did not have to put on your sneakers and walk us to the bus stop in Barbican!” she said, the congregation exploding into another round of laughter.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com