Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
Michelle and Douglas Orane admire a painting that was auctioned for charity at Chris Bovells party.- photos by Colin Hamilton/ Freelance Photographer
There are few men on today's social and/or professional landscape who could inhabit this world with the consummate ease and/or locus standi with which pre-eminent jurist Christopher Bovell does.
Known throughout the legal profession and the hallowed halls of the many boardrooms as a man of unimpeachable character, Christopher Bovell has served with distinction in the many areas of life. His considerable skills as a jurist, negotiator and patriot have seen him being called upon to share of his expertise by offering guidance and or direction.
So, after many moons in service to this nation, the legal profession, the dedicated husband, family man and loyal friend, last Tuesday marked a milestone of a birthday.
Bovell is a very shy and retiring person, but as they say, those who walk quietly should be armed with a big stick. Bovell does; his stick a piercing and analytical mind that is home to a great intellect.
life of distinction
It was his fabulous wife, Michelle, a true blue bon vivant, who decided that the treasure of lifes gift and bounties is always cause for proper celebration, and so she decided that nothing else would be in order to mark the occasion except for an intimate do! The invitations went out bidding only close friends and colleagues to what was tongue in cheek dubbed an over-the-hill do.
Well, if this is what over the hill looks like then bring it on as there was nothing but haute fabness to be seen on the occasion of Bovells 70th birthday. A critically hand-picked list of family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Talk of the Town, Jamaica Pegasus hotel to celebrate a life of distinction!
Those who gathered with the Bovells to celebrate were anything but over the hill, as the room was transformed into a fab reception hall, accented by a number of strategically placed easels showcasing the works of some of Jamaicas leading artists, while the absolutely oh-so-talented Dr Kathy Brown entertained, and marvellously soothingly so on keyboards.
There were no speeches per se, but George Fatta acted as emcee; he introduced Monsignor Richard Albert, who said grace. Edward Seaga gave a glowing testimonial to the character and mettle of the birthday boy and his wife. And the celebrant responded. In fact so moving was Edward Seagas speech, that in his response, a clearly moved Chris Bovell was almost overcome by the emotions and sentiments of the moment and it made for a very warm interlude as many choked up too seeing him so moved!
It was all that, and then some!
And then, there were the guests; the very acme of civilised society. Among the notables out were Edward and Carla Seaga; Lady Golding; Ambassador JesĂs and Sara Silva of Spain; David and Terry Shoucair; O.K. and Angela Melhado; Honorary Consul of Iceland Robert MacMillan and Candy DePass; Honorary Consul of the Netherlands Robert Cartade and his wife, Carole Issa Cartade; Earl Levy and his trĂ©s elegant wife, Beverly Junor Levy; the debonair Charles Hanna; Anthony Watson and his elegantly charming wife, Jeanne; Christopher Roberts and his lovely wife, Jill; the esteemed Pokar and Sati Chandiram; Roy and Sylvia Collister; the charmingly elegant Ruby Martin; Errol and Ingrid Zaidie; Adeeb Mahfood; Dr Ralph and Dodi Thompson; Eran Spiro; Capt Michael and Thalia Lyn; Charles Johnston and his wife, Lisa; the supremely elegant Lorna Myers.
We spotted Douglas and Michelle Orane; the trés elegant Minna Israel; St Clair Shirley; Jerome and Arva Lee; George Cumming; Helen Myers; Patrick and Enid Chin; Janet Morrison; Michael and Janice Causwell; Lincoln Eatmon; the lovely Anne Marie Feanny; Capt David McRae; Randy Mair and wife, Nicola Crosswell-Mair; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin and her daughter Dominic Benjamin; plus a number of others.
Birthday celebrant Chris Bovell welcomes Minna Isreal, managing director, RBTT Bank to his 70th birthday party.
Chris Bovell (right) greets former prime minister, Edward Seaga, and his wife, Carla.
Marigold Harding looks as pretty as her name suggests at the party.
Michelle Bovell (left), George Fatta (second left), Monsignor Richard Albert and Chris Bovell (right) toast the latters health at his party.
Chris Bovell and wife, Michelle, capture the memories at his 70th birthday party dubbed, Over the Hill at the Talk of the Town, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Tuesday, October 7.
