Peter Kerr-Jarrett By Noel Thompson,
Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
WELL-KNOWN MONTEGO Bay real estate developer and noted attorney-at-law Peter Francis Kerr-Jarrett is dead. He died at his home in Granville, St. James, on Tuesday night. He was 84.
Mr. Kerr-Jarrett was ailing for the past six months, according to his son Mark Kerr-Jarrett, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "He died at about 11:30 p.m...He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but we thank the Lord for his life and all that he was able to contribute to the development of Montego Bay and the nation," said Mark Kerr-Jarrett who is also managing director of Barnett Estates Limited.
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, who is a lifetime friend of Peter, has expressed his condolences to the family, stating that he would be truly missed. Peter Kerr-Jarrett has left to mourn his brother Ian, sisters Joyce and Christine, daughter Judith Lyn Cooke, son Mark, stepson Peter Ross and six grandchildren.
Mr. Kerr-Jarrett was born at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, on November 14, 1916 to Sir Francis and Lady Isabel Kerr-Jarrett. His ancestors originated from Scotland and were among the first British to land in Jamaica in 1655 along with Captains Penn and Venables. The family has never left the island since.
At age eight, Peter left Jamaica to attend school in England and returned 10 years later (in 1934) after completing school where he pursued his career in law and was admitted to the Jamaica Bar Association in 1941. He then left and joined the Canadian Army where he obtained the rank of Captain and served in World War II in the Tank Core. He was demobilised in 1946 at which time he returned home. This year would have marked his 60th year of admission to the Jamaican Bar Association.
During his lifetime he also served as founding member of the Salvation Army from 1967 until his death; chairman of the Montego Bay Boys Club from 1968-1998; chairman of the 4-H Club Parish Advisory Board from 1974-1977 and 1981-1989; chairman of the Granville All-Age School for about 20 years; chairman of the Barnett Group of Companies for over 35 years until his death; a member of the board of the Sam Sharpe Teachers College from 1988-1994 and was also a founding member of the Tryall Golf Club.
"My father was a quiet man of integrity and commitment, whose confidence in Jamaica and its people he expressed until the day of his death. He loved this nation and was the 10th generation to be born in Jamaica," Mark said.
