Jamaica's first-ever parliamentary ombudsman, Errington George Green, died last Friday at the age of 83.

An attorney-at-law, he was known to many as E.G. Green, or 'Gun Court Green', as he was appointed the first judge of the Gun Court, which came into being in 1974.

Green had a long and distinguished career in the government service.

He joined the civil service in 1946 and served in the Office of Titles from 1946-1948. He worked in Resident Magistrate's Courts as assistant clerk of courts from 1949-1955.

Green was appointed deputy clerk of the courts in 1955 and next appointed clerk of the courts from 1961 to 1964. He acted as Crown counsel and was appointed acting resident magistrate in 1968. He was appointed a resident magistrate from 1968-1974, and was later that year appointed judge of the Gun Court.

He was installed as ombudsman-designate in 1977 and the following year appointed parliamentary ombudsman, a guardian of the rights of the people, and held that office for 12 years. His title was changed to senior parliamentary ombudsman in 1983.

Born in Royal Flat, Manchester, he attended Calabar High School and later travelled to England to study law. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, London.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa, three sons and two daughters.

Sporting prowess

At Calabar, he had fine sporting prowess, participating in track and field, and football. In 1943, he played on the first Calabar team to win the Manning Cup.

Green devoted his life to Calabar and its ideazls. He and his wife hosted many functions in support of the school at their home on Lady Musgrave Road, St Andrew.

He has been described by his friends and members of the legal profession as a remarkable man and kind human being.