St. Andrew, Jamaica (Mckoy’s News) – Germaine Mason’s funeral service on Sunday Morning May 21, 2017 was filled with scores of patriots to the Jamaican and Great Britain high jump champion. The Hagley Park Seventh Day Adventist Church seating capacity was overflown with standing room only, so much that many were left gathering on the outside, in the church yard.
Person’s clutched the windows of the church building without moving, not to lose their spot – as they watched and listened to Mason’s home going service. While others behind the window viewers had to settle for just what they could hear only – of Germaine Mason’s funeral service.
Germaine Mason’s Honda CBR motorcycle crashed along the Palisadoes main road, in Kingston on April 20, killing him. He was in the company of his friend Usain Bolt and others. He was flung from the motorcycle and his body was found on the opposite side of the road from where his motorcycle was, according to police, who say high-speed and him not wearing a helmet contributed to his death.
His close friend Usain Bolt, who last week participated in digging the Germaine’s grave in Portland, in preparation for his burial, was noticed at the funeral trying to stay composed.
Also in attendance at the funeral among other noted persons were Jamaica’s Sports Minster, Hon. Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Asafa Powell, Elaine Thompson, Jermaine Gonzales, Dwight Thomas, Sanjay Ayre, Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, Ian ‘Pepe’ Goodison, Sean Fraser, David Riley, Maurice Wilson, General Secretary of the Jamaica Administrative Association, Garth Gayle and Treasurer Ludlow Watts.
His life was celebrated by many, but others who were scheduled to speak of his life were too shaken by grief to take to podium:
Coach Stephen Francis and Germaine’s friend, former Reggae Boy Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, could not be composed. Germaine’s mom, Carol Mason, and his fiance’, Shari-Dee Barker, were also inconsolable and other family members had to read their portion of the tribute to Germaine for them.
The onlookers and the media gave interest to Usain Bolt, Germaine Mason’s closest friend. Bolt like many of the men at the service, wore dark shades throughout the service. He tried to hold in his emotions, but the tears were stronger than him and forced their way to an outburst of flow.
Germain Mason is Jamaica’s current high jump record holder, he attended Wolmer’s Boys’ High School, and represented Jamaica in international athletics until 2006. In 2006 he traded Jamaica for Great Britain, based on his father’s nationality – He took home a silver medal for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing, China Olympic Games.
His body was laid to rest in Grange Hill, Portland.