Photo by Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer
Michael Lee Chin (right) responds to his mother, Gloria Chen, at the reception held in his honour at Manor Courts on Monday. His brother Wayne Chen looks on.

Brbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Monday was another very special day in the lives of the Chen and Lee Chin family. Eldest son Michael Lee Chin, chairman of the National Commercial Bank (NCB), that morning received the Order of Jamaica for service to business and philanthropy.

At lunchtime, the family gathered in Manor Court, St Andrew, to share the Susan Couch-catered repast and congratulate their own.

Matriarch Gloria Chen quipped that her son was so proud of his medal, he'd probably wear it for the rest of the week. She expressed pride in the achievements of all her children. NCB Group Managing Director Patrick Hylton expressed his pleasure of the well-deserved honour and congratulated Lee Chin for consistently demonstrating genuine commitment to Jamaica.

Wayne Chen described his brother as "my hero who continues to surpass my expectations of him".

Reap the rewards

In acknowledgement of the kudos, Lee Chin told The Gleaner it means that his parents put themselves last every time for all of them, so he was happy they are alive to reap the rewards. "I feel fortunate that I got the opportunity to pursue the things I am passionate about, but I would not be here if I did not get help from my country. I feel honoured to be an inspiration to others who started from nothing and can now realise that in spite of the odds, if you persevere, are committed, loyal and have integrity, the good do not have to finish last."

Present were: Prime Minister Bruce Golding; Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson; Horace Lyn, Alma Chung, Dr Cleo Taylor and wife Carol; Jimmy Moss-Solomon, Joe Vescio; Monica Chen; Diana Oddi; Irene Walter; Richard and Lisa Chen with their children Julian, Sarita and Gabrille Chen; Jean Lowrie-Chin; Wayne and Diana Chen, who hosted the affair with their parents Vincent and Gloria Chen; Mark and Melissa McIntosh; Lisa and Cookie Stultz, Donnovan and Andrea Lewis, Patrick Hylton and wife Brigitte Foster-Hylton; Nigel Clarke, Thalia and Mike Lyn; Mr and Mrs Dennis Cohen.