The Loving Journey Of Chesterfield Nathaniel Tempro
Mr. Chesterfield Nathaniel Tempro was born on March 4th, 1930 to Mr. Frank and Mrs. Gladys Tempro (both deceased). He passed away on June 14th, 2012 at his residence, 4th Avenue, Harts Gap, Christ Church. He was buried at Westbury Cemetery.
He was the father of two children, Jeffrey Husbands and Joyann Jordan (myself) and the step-father of our sister Margaret Mapp. He has a surviving sister, my aunty Mrs. Ruby Jones who resides in the United States of America. Dad’s mother raised both him and his sister after their father left them when he was just two years of age.
Dad had gotten married to my mum Ena Leotta Watts on January 25th, 1958, who passed away on June 24th, 2018.
He worked at the Mobil Oil Refinery as a general worker for thirty-five years until he retired. He always provided for his family.
No Nonsense Person
He was a faithful member of the Chelsea Road Church of God for over fifty-nine years. He held quite a number of positions during this time from lay preacher, church treasurer, and usher to carpenter. He also loved to sing bass in the choir. Dad was a very quiet, no nonsense person.
He would always give thanks to God for allowing him to see another birth-date, since according to him, he was a sickly child and the doctor had told his mother that he would not live past two years. He lived a total of eighty years in addition to those two years. He was affectionately called ‘Da Da’.
Dad helped raised his step-grandchildren and grandchildren from babies. He was most proud when his first grandchild Abigail was born and he and mom would ‘fight’ whenever his daughter came to visit. It came to a peaceful resolution when his second grandchild Deborah was born two years later. He enjoyed taking them for walks, as well as, to and from school during their preschool and primary years.
He would always say that whatever his grandchildren wanted they would have, because they were the only grandchildren that he had, since his son did not give him any.
He had left to mourn his wife of fifty-four years Ena, his children Jeffrey Husbands and Joyann Jordan, and step-daughter, Margaret Mapp. His grandchildren Abigail and Deborah Jordan, step-grandchildren, Reneto and Marissa Daniel. His step-great-grandchildren Richan and Rashida Daniel. His sister Ruby Jones, nephew’s Victor, and Anderson, nieces Funmilayo, Judy and Cheryl, his son-in-law Ryan Jordan, his sisters-in-law, Ailsa, Dorothy and Inez. Numerous nieces and nephews-in-law too numerous to mention.
Good friends Jessica Baptiste, Marcia Small, Rev. & Mrs. Elliott Griffith, Rev. Hazel Broomes, Sammy Kirton, Peggy Hinkson, Sis. Audrey Inniss and family, Evadney Lopez, the Church of God Reformation Movement, and many others.
He was a humble man, simply a beautiful soul who lived for God and anticipated the day when he would join the Heavenly Chorale, when he would in fact hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
He Knew How To Laugh
He may have been perceived to be a poor man, but he was one of the wealthiest men on the island of Barbados, because he knew inner peace. He knew how to laugh. He knew how to be happy with or without a dollar in his pocket and he was seldom without.
He was never too busy to be of service to others, because he knew that by serving others, he was serving God and serving himself. And as a result, he was able to sleep well knowing that all is well.
He was a man who loved his family! It was not unusual for him to be seen riding the girls when they were younger on his bike. He was not given to pomp, pretence, or propaganda. He was not given to sham and haughtiness. He was a good man with a smile that lit up a room. He was a man who generated light and spiritual poise and could be relied on by his neighbours in times of need. He was never too busy to care or to share.
Many remember him in his early days with a black velvet mop of hair, which, like most of us, has turned its colour with time. His hair was not grey, a colour that symbolized pending clouds and the ageing process, his hair was a bright shiny white with the light which shone on it, reminding us all, if we paid attention, that the times they are changing and we must walk and live in the light, no matter how many grey clouds come.
Chesterfield was a very warm and loving person, he possessed a warm smile, and a heart that was even bigger and warmer. His love for humankind was seen through his service to his family, church family and the Christ Church community. Weeping may endure for a night, but unspeakable joy comes in the morning. Although he will be deeply missed, his loving spirit and contributions to his family and to his church family will continue to live on.
*From his daughter Joyann, niece and family.*
Read the full tribute about his wife here.