Many family and friends of the late Alan Paul Hewitt were present at The Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Savannah, to pay their respects to a man who always made you feel a lot more cheerful by having been in his presence.

Mr. Hewitt was a schoolteacher, a thespian, a husband and father whose generosity and cheerfulness affected everyone who met him.

It was a moving service with many tributes from his family, the John Gray High School where he taught, and the Cayman Drama Society where he performed and volunteered.

Officiating was Bishop Nicholas J.G. Sykes, CMH, and Mr. H.M. Peter Westin, both from St Alban’s Anglican Church, George Town.

Scripture readings were from Psalm 23, Isaiah 25 6-9, and Revelation 21 1-7.

Hymns were “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”; “The Strife is Over, the Battle Done”; and “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”.

There were a number of musical items some performed by Past Students.

Mr. Hewitt had battled with Acute Myelocytic cancer for a number of years.

Family Tributes follow:

Family Tribute to My Husband

The nights are long and lonely

The days are in a haze

But there is the LIGHT

Coming from the corner of the room

The light of your soul and it fills my heart.

You taught me to be patient.   I taught you how to dance,

“What’s   the plan?”  You would often say to me.

You taught me how to live for today but must have a plan for tomorrow (although   plans can change).

Your family was always your main priority.

Your generosity to the extended family was exemplary.

“Take the kids and go see your Mum”, with the airline tickets in hand.

The inclusion of members of the family from either side in holidays plans, always displayed your unwavering unselfishness.

The plan is to go on until we meet again.

Yes I will be patient, you have taught me how.

More Family Tributes

My family might tell you my father was always willing to listen to anything   I had to say long after everyone else had given up, which I would have to agree but it was this calm patience that defined his character.

He had a wealth of knowledge but always keen to learn and willing to share. Not only did he share his knowledge   but his time and affection.   His generosity was to be admired, not many people buy you present on his birthday.

These more affable aspects of his life are well noted and remembered           however I would like to share an equally important dimension to his life not always at the surface of his demeanour.

My father had a great sense of diligence and unwavering commitment that anyone would hope to aspire to. His career as a teacher was well grounded in an ethos of personal development; in particular encouraging the realization of ones talents through sheer determination and commitment in all aspects of life.

Therefore it is by no coincidence that one of my most vivid memories of my father is of him standing at the finish line of the JGHS year 10,400m final, shouting in his distinctive yet articulate voice, ‘come on boy, come on!’ as I strained every sinew, with no feeling in my legs all the way down the home straight, at which point had the sudden realization (primarily through the ferocious tone of his voice) that I had a chance, I could win, but I would have to keep going.

It is something I have taken with me ever since; you can achieve your goals but only if you keep going, a lesson of persistence and pursuit for which I am eternally   grateful.

My father has had to endure tough battles of his own, none of us would hope to face. He fought them with his vicious determination yet without complaint but with a calm reassurance that everything will be ok … and it will.

Trying your best deserves a well-earned rest Old Bean, we are all very proud.

Son – Robert

It’s not about knowing the next move; it’s about knowing the knowing the next three. You loved it when a plan came together.

Daughter –  Anika

The Obituary that follows was read by Bishop Sykes

Obituary

We are gathered together today (14) to celebrate the life of our dear friend, colleague, son, brother, husband, father and grandfather –  Alan Paul Hewitt.

Alan, age 58 died at the University of Miami Hospital in Miami Florida on the 16’“ August 2013 after fighting his third round of cancer, Acute Myelocytic Leukemia.

Alan was born in Deptford London on October 9^th 1954, son of Stanley Frederick and Elsie Kathleen Hewitt.  He was the youngest of 3 siblings.  Older Bother Roy remembers doing his homework while Alan laid in bed listening to Radio Luxembourg fading in and out and later, Alan’s frequent trips to Canada to visit his family.  Roy says he was the kids’ favourite uncle. Sister Jen’s most enduring    memories were of Alan in his twenties.  Every Christmas Alan and his Father used   to visit her for two weeks.  Jen and Daughter Liz used to look forward to them   coming and there was a lot of excitement when Alan arrived. Alan brought lots of presents all wrapped up. He kept them guessing as there were no labels but they   always knew the small square packages were Terry’s chocolate oranges. The unlabeled packages at Christmas were a tradition Alan continued with his wife and children.

Maureen and Alan met in 1986 as a result of a teacher exchange programme between London and Jamaica.  They were married in London and spent 27 beautiful   years together.  In 1987 they moved to Grand Cayman with 8-year-old Karenza to teach and have been doing just that ever since.  Any plans they may have had to return to the UK got knocked off the proverbial path as son Robert and daughter    Anika came bouncing into their lives.  Now with a family of five and the appealing warmer climate they     were stuck.  Alan’s performance of the hit song in the Hewitt   household  … “Daddy’s   Got Two Babies” – became number one on the request list very early.

Originally a math teacher, Alan became Head of Department, was promoted to Deputy Principal and later, Acting Principal of John Gray High School.  Alan went    on to work with the Cayman Islands Department of Education before retiring in 2012.  Twenty-five years of service and a job extremely well done.

Alan enjoyed puzzles, reading, and a good meal … a better beer, planning family holiday and always taking the scenic route.

He is survived   by:

Sister Jen Mitchell, Brother Roy Hewitt, Wife Maureen Hewitt, Step Daughter Karenza Lepage, Son Robert Hewitt, Daughter Anika Hewitt Grandson Ayden Chin and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alan Paul Hewitt, October 9^th 1954 – August 16^th 2013, R.I.P.

To read the tribute from the Cayman Drama Society read by Alan Hall at the service go to: “Celebrating the life of Alan Hewitt” published in iNews Cayman on September 4 2013 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/09/celebrating-the-life-of-alan-hewitt/