Hanover hails Custos Stair for phenomenal contribution
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:31 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERn BUREAU:
The sudden passing of Hanover Custos Dr David Stair on Wednesday has left family members, friends, and associates in shock.
Stair, a native of Hanover, had been serving the parish in several capacities, including as a medical doctor, and a member of a charitable organisation Hanover Charities.
He was sworn in as custos of the parish in March 2009, succeeding Mavis King, who also died while in office.
“He will forever be missed,” said Keneisha Pyne-Palmer, president of the Hanover Justices of the Peace Association, in a post on the organisation’s social media page.
“It is a difficult day for us all (as justices of the peace), and things will never be the same. Let us comfort each other, rely on the strength of our Creator, God, and reflect on the impact he had on all our lives,” Pyne-Palmer wrote.
Stair was instrumental in reforming and relaunching the Hanover Justices of the Peace Association, based on the instruction and vision put forward by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck.
Andrea Montaque-Williston, an administrator at the Hanover Parish Court, described Stair as someone who was dedicated to the cause of justice, serving within the parish and beyond. She also hailed him as a reliable person of high integrity.
“On behalf of the Hanover Parish Court, we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Custos Dr David Stair. His dedicated service, unwavering leadership, and commitment to the people of Hanover have left an indelible mark on our parish and beyond,” she told The Gleaner.
“We mourn this great loss and honour his legacy of service and integrity,” she added, noting that Stair was a champion for the Hanover Parish Court, supporting its work, and was always willing to assist to see to the proper administration of the court.
Katrin Casserly, chairman of the Hanover Charities, was in a sombre mood when she spoke to The Gleaner.
“We are extremely saddened. We have lost a friend. We have lost an extremely committed professional, a genuine board member who was interested in the details of every grant request and every scholarship we dealt with,” said Casserly.
“In my 33 years living in Jamaica and my 20 years serving Hanover Charities, either as vice-chair or chair, he has worked tirelessly with us, visiting several projects, and was always present for us. We have lost a friend and a gentleman,” she added.
Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels highlighted the fact that Stair was “always concerned about the environment and is really going to be missed”.
“He was one of the best persons I know, in terms of his principles, and he meant a whole lot to the parish of Hanover,” said Samuels. “Being a son of the parish, in most of his speeches, he always made mention of the environment, and one could clearly see that he always had the parish of Hanover and the town of Lucea at heart.”