Tributes: Family and Friends

A Man for All Seasons

I first met Mr. Easton Douglas in May 2009 in the capacity as one of his Physicians to which I will not deliberate for obvious reasons – CONFIDENTIALITY. I liken Mr. Douglas to “Aman for All Seasons” a phrase coined to describe the English Statesman and Scholar of the 15th century Sir Thomas More. A man for all seasons refers to a man who is ready to cope with any contingency and whose behavior is always appropriate for every occasion. In our several conversations together over the years, which ranged from his adventures in bird shooting, tennis tournaments (especially if the player was Roger Federer), topical issues and flavor happenings of each month to descriptions of beauty of his beloved country Jamaica, I came to realize he was a man of integrity, loyalty, deep convictions, true to himself and his beliefs – traits similar to those of Sir Thomas More. Despite his many achievements and national honors he displayed humility and recognized that we all had our failings and were vulnerable beings. Mr. Douglas faced his illness and various forms of treatments with courage and optimism and as his health failed he accepted and embraced the inevitable outcome with grace and unfaltering dignity. Rest well Mr. Douglas. You will be forever missed.

Dr. Jennifer Thame Mullings

“A very thoughtful, reflective and cerebral person”

I met Easton in the late 1970s while he was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Defense. An impressively dignified, knowledgeable, articulate gentleman with all the features of a genuinely professional Civil Servant greeted me with all the warmth of a long lost brother, for he seemed to know everyone, even a neophyte as I was, meeting him for the first time. We became friends almost instantaneously as we began to exchange our thoughts, recognising how much we shared in both vision and philosophy. I marvelled how he could have reconciled his role as civil servant, loyally and clinically defending the status quo, while at the same time obviously being driven by an inner, an irrepressible passion to change the status quo, to enable the best outcomes for the people of Jamaica whom he loved so much. It came as no surprise whatsoever when he accepted a call from Michael Manley, to serve in a Political role as a member of his government and Representative of the People in the Constituency of St Andrew South Eastern. As Minister of Health and Environmental Control; Minister of the Public Service and the Environment and finally Minister of Land, Environment and Housing, Easton’s enviable legacy as the best authority in Jamaica and the Caribbean in the area of National Physical Planning and Development is well documented as a record of historical fact. This imprimatur of excellence is beyond the scope of ever being successfully challenged by anyone, then, now or in the future. A very thoughtful, reflective and cerebral person, Easton was given to the rigour of evidence-based and data-driven decision making. This was invariably tempered by the fact that the Almighty also gave Easton the gift of common sense which he combined with the wisdom and vast experiences throughout his life, enabling him to give the best advice freely and generously to many including his loving sister Portia. Easton was the unfortunate victim of an insidious and lethal form of cancer which he fought with dignity and valour to the end. He was more knowledgeable than most of the diagnosis and prognosis of his condition as he overcame the prognostic legacy of his condition defying all the laws of the negation of both body and mind. He did so in a display of human fortitude, stoicism, discipline, mental and physical will which went beyond all human expectations, indeed human thought or imagination. What more could we expect or ask of this man? Today, even in death, Easton’s legacy inspires us; for he has left a good name. A name which will live on in the book of Life, as a testament to the perfection of the creation of the One Almighty, the God of all creation, within whom we live and move and have our being.

From: Brother, Friend & Colleague: Professor Winston “Winty” Davidson

“Thank you my friend for the influence you have had on my life”

My friend, my brother, my hunting partner for over 30 years was a good human being, a true gentleman. Loyal to a fault to his family, his friends, his political party, and more than anything else, his beloved country Jamaica. One of the most brilliant minds I have ever met, he spent his entire life dedicated to the development of his country, particularly in the area of Housing & Environment. I thank him for involving me in the matters of environment within NEPA, particularly the issues pertaining to the Wild Life Act. He had a passion for the protection & sustainability of our wild life, and under his tenure as Minister, we were able to achieve both, and today we are reaping the benefits of his vision. I thank you my friend for the influence you have had on my life & I know you have gone to a better place. May God bless you & may your soul Rest In Peace.

Errol T. Ziadie, J.P.

“Easton demonstrated that he was a man from humble background”

Easton Xavier Douglas a friend for over 45 years. Our meeting was prompted by our mutual interest in the sport of ‘birdshooting’. Over the years we shot together at Moneymusk Gun club, a trip to Columbia, Harmony Hall, and Malvern. In his capacity of Permanent Secretory in the Ministry of National Security we were part of the delegation which visited Germany for some exposure to certain aspects of international terrorism. In these years of association, Easton demonstrated that he was a man from humble background who had walked with Kings but had not lost the common touch. His love of country was demonstrated in the several positions he held as a public servant. A man with tremendous intellectual capacity, witty, a visionary, yet a simple, humble man. Rest well my friend, you will always be remembered as a true Jamaican Patriot.

Lt. Col. Delroy C.M. Ormsby.

Tribute from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)

The Hon. Easton Wentworth Xavier Douglas, witty, forward thinker, a pioneer for all things called ‘progressive development’ are some of the accolades that may be used to describe this extraordinaire professional.

A graduate of some of the most prestigious institutions, such as the University of the West Indies; University of London; University of Reading (U.K.); College of Estate Management (Lon.); West London College of Commerce , where he pursued studies in Urban Planning and Estate Management respectively. These were the predestined basis of his intellect, skills and advocacy he deployed in the Land Valuation, Planning and the Environmental sector within the Jamaican landscape and the wider Caribbean Region. Easton served as the Government Town Planner of Jamaica during the 1970s, under the then portfolio Ministry of Mining and Natural Resources. While serving in this capacity of Government Town Planner, he became the chief architect of the National Physical Plan (1978-1998). The Plan conceptualized strategies and recommendations for Jamaica’s national development. Several components of this plan have been implemented and are still relevant today. He was also involved in the crafting of several other spatial planning documents that had far reaching impact on the development of the country. In addition, he helped to streamline the land use planning framework within Jamaica. He later became the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mining and Natural Resources; then onto the Ministry of Health and Environmental Control (1989-1993) where he also served as Permanent Secretary. As no surprise to his colleagues, he became the Minister of Public Service and Environment. During this period, he was one of the pioneers of the Land Economy Valuation Surveying (LEVS) Diploma Programme at the College of Arts Science and Technology (CAST), now University of Technology and he was also instrumental in the creation of the National Land Agency. Easton has served in many other capacities professionally such as Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Distinguished Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). As well as on many National and International Boards, to include the Natural Resources Conservation Department (1970s), Habitat for Humanity and the National Housing Trust. During his tenure as Minister of Land Environment and Housing, he envisioned the creation of the National Environment and Planning Agency, through the merger of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, Town Planning Department and Land Development and Utilization Commission came to life.

Easton Douglas is remembered as a model professional with in-depth knowledge of his craft. During his tenure, he ensured that the highest standards were maintained in the review of development projects. He will be remembered for always making himself available to serve the business of the Agency, even at short notice. He also willingly, delivered speeches on planning matters, particularly at the Caribbean Urban Forum and the World Town Planning Day Events. He was committed to nation building and gave of his knowledge freely to ensure that Jamaica got the best of him. The National Environment and Planning Agency regrets the passing of Easton Douglas. He was a great Jamaican who was seemingly inspired and guided throughout his life by a sense of servitude to this wonderful nation. The chapter on his life will be indelibly marked on the consciousness of all those of us who have been fortunate enough to call him family, colleague or friend. May the life of Easton Wentworth Xavier Douglas be a blueprint for the development of us all. Rest well Sir Douglas.

It is not often that an individual creates an imprint on his society as Easton Douglas was able to do.

He started his career as a Civil Servant, occupying the important position of Government Town Planner and subsequently Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Construction as well as Ministry of Health. Throughout his career as a Civil Servant, he was known as a man of integrity and one who did his best to serve the people of Jamaica. When he left the civil service, he created his own firm, “Easton Douglas & Company,” which specialized in Property Valuations. It was during this time that I got to know Easton quite well and assisted him in getting settled in his place of business as well as served as a mentor to him.

As a private citizen, Easton entered the area of Politics where he served with distinction, serving as a member of the Cabinet, both Minister of Housing and Minister of Health. In his latter years, he also served as Chairman of the National Housing Trust. I am honoured to have had a wonderful relationship with Easton throughout his Professional, Personal and Political life and am pleased to remember him as a friend. I respected him as a professional and valued his opinions on matters of personal and national affairs. I admired his humility and love for his country. He was a true Nationalist who served wherever he was called upon, and to do so without regards for reward. Above all, Easton was a Gentleman who all of us should remember for the contributions he made and the legacy he left behind. May his soul rest in peace

R DANNY WILLIAMS, O.J., C.D., J.P., Hon. LLD. (UTECH), Hon. LLD. (UWI)

The management and staff of Easton Douglas Consultants Limited salutes a true leader, mentor and motivator, our Founder, President and CEO.

A GIANT in the Real Estate Industry, one with an undeniable wealth of knowledge, a prudent and meticulous practitioner, Mr Douglas through his firm Easton Douglas Consultants Limited formerly Easton Douglas & Company (which has been in existence in excess of thirty-five (35) years) has provided significant services in the field of property consultancy and related real estate services. Mr. Douglas through his company not only provided professional services for many public and private institutions but also to a vast number of individuals. He had a passion for sharing, always willing and ready to assist anyone wishing to draw from his knowledge and experience. This stalwart had an unwavering interest in the training and mentoring of young persons in the development of skills in his area of expertise. His successors, Mr Cleveland Sutherland (under his tutelage for over twenty five years) and Ms Kari Douglas – his daughter (under his tutelage for over ten years) along with the remaining staff of EDCO have been well trained and prepared to continue the legacy of professional services that he had provided over the years. He left an indelible mark of excellence. No doubt he will be sadly missed but his legacy lives on. We Miss you Sir and we are eternally grateful for the impact you have made on our lives.

Management and Staff Easton Douglas Consultants Limited (EDCO)

Easton Douglas was my client.

I was his legal counsel. But he became my friend and a man that I admired. I met Easton about 2006 and from the beginning of our association I must say that I liked him, and we got on well. He was a dapper man. He took obvious care with his appearance. Always immaculately dressed, and appropriately dressed for the occasion. He was soft spoken. He never raised his voice. He spoke quietly and firmly. He listened carefully to any advice that I gave. Any document that I prepared for his signature he examined with a fine toothcomb, and always ensured it met his high standards before he would ever add his signature. Yet, he had a quick wit, and laughed easily.

That was Easton Douglas!

Often, when we were finished discussing legal matters, Easton would educate me with respect to his views of the politics of the day. He gave me tremendous insights and understanding of Jamaican politics. He knew the inside track, and knew the players on all sides. He was versed in the history and absolutely reveled in it. Even though he was always loyal to his party, he had no problem in discussing things that he disagreed with.

I was Easton’s Attorney for over 10 years, dealing with a wide range of matters. He insisted that it was important to be proper and correct in everything that he did, and from all reports, this was also his approach to his professional practice as a chartered surveyor.one of the matters that I dealt with for Easton was very personal and related to his family. It was a matter that caused him obvious pain and discomfort. Sometimes he would just stop and say nothing, as if he was gathering himself before he could continue. But even with his emotional distress, Easton’s approach to these matters was always thoughtful. He would never choose a road just because it was easy. He would think about a situation, and determine his own action doing what he believed to be principled and correct.

That was the essence of Easton, in all aspects of his life.

When Easton found out he was ill, he approached his situation with courage and a determination to do everything in his power to fight for his life, and he fought his illness for several years. His medical challenges were many, including the need to have heart surgery. And it was in these times, that his ability to laugh at himself and his life came to the fore. He would joke about the fact that the doctors had his heart on a table!

After he recovered from one of his many bouts of illness, he invited all his doctors including those from the US to atruly fancy dinner, to thank them for all that they had done and for keeping him going . At the dinner, he joked about the fact that many of them considered him a walking talking miracle since he ought to have gone long ago.

On Sunday morning, August 26, 2018, Jamaica lost one of its finest sons, and I lost a friend.

May his soul rest in peace

Carol Davis