‘He gave his children a solid education’

Kern Spencer salutes father’s memories

Kern Spencer described digging his father’s grave as painstaking. “Daddy was the best father any child could ever have,” Kern said of Daniel Spencer, who died on November 8 after a period of illness. He was 71.

“Daddy was ailing for a while, but he had gone to see some of the best doctors locally and internationally. While we know that he was ill, we never expected that he was going to pass off,” Kern said.

“While we know that one day your loved ones will pass off, no matter how much we prepare for it, we can never be too prepared. When the reality hits it is very hard to deal with, and the truth is, I don’t think that the reality has set in fully,” Kern said.

Daniel will be buried in the family plot in Morant, Clarendon, this Saturday. The service will be held at the Holy Cross Moravian Church, beginning at 10 a.m., and will be officiated by Bishop Devon Anglin and the Reverend Dr Josiah Spencer.

Born to Theresa and Joseph Spencer on January 1, 1948, in

Morant, Clarendon, Daniel was the ninth of 11 children for the Spencers. ‘Danny’ Spencer spent his early years between the family’s two homes at Morant and Peckham. He attended Kilsyth Primary School, where he excelled as a scholar, a singer, and a cricketer. He later went on to become the first headboy of Frankfield Comprehensive High School, now renamed Edwin Allen High School.

Daniel fathered six children

– Donna-Marie, Kern, Dwaine, Danielle, Ashley and Pareece.

The People’s National Party (PNP) in St Elizabeth lost a stalwart. Comrade Danny Spencer, the son of PNP area leader Joseph Spencer from Peckham, North Western Clarendon, was an indomitable warrior for the PNP, family man and a serial entrepreneur.

“We are from humble beginnings, and one of the best things he did for us was to give all of his children a solid education. He always said to me, Kern, I don’t have any money, no wealth or no land or riches to give to you guys, but what I dedicated my life to doing is to ensure that all of my children have a solid education,” Kern recalled.

“Daddy could have been a multiple millionaire if he had kept the money that he spent on his children,” the former member of parliament added.