Memories of ‘Shine’ comfort mourners
HIS ABILITY to make friends quickly and his love for his family were memories mentioned several times yesterday as friends and family members reflected on the life of Phillip Silvera at his thanksgiving service at the Empathy Funeral Home Chapel in Portmore, St Catherine, yesterday.
Mourners, who turned out in their numbers, indicated that Silvera, affectionately called ‘Shine’, was a beacon among friends, his community, and the workplace.
Elmay Mitchell, who described Silvera as a good friend, said that what she valued most was the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with him.
MAN OF INTEGRITY
“He was a friend of mine and somebody who knew how to deal with people. What I am most happy for is that I got the chance to minister to him, and I have no doubt that he is in the hands of his maker,” said Mitchell in a spirited tribute.
“From what I know, he was a man of integrity, and I can truly say he was a friend. I encourage his daughters and the rest of his family to rest in the fact that he has left a legacy and one that you all can be proud of,” added Mitchell.
Elaine Gordon, another friend and his former neighbour, echoed similar sentiments as she told mourners that she would miss the conversations she had with Shine.
“If you hungry, no bother stop and talk to Shine because he was a long speaker and loved to chat with his friends. I didn’t mind, though. I enjoyed every single one of our conversations because he always found a way to encourage you,” said Gordon.
“Every day, I would look forward to him waving to me. We always checked up upon each other, and he generally cared for the people around him,” added Gordon.
Shine, a former employee of The Gleaner, was laid to rest at the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens.