Death cancels marriage | Juan de-Bolas woman remembers lover
September 10, 2019After being in a relationship for some 30 years, Gloria Douglas and Desmond Cunningham from Juan de-Bolas in St Catherine were planning to tie the knot next year.
Their plans, however, have been scrapped by death.
Cunningham, also known as Boney, died shortly after daybreak on September 5 while walking on a section of Juan de-Bolas main road.
He was heading towards Worthy Park Sugar Estate where he worked as a cane-cutter for some 20 years.
The Shady Grove Police in Lluidas Vale said Cunningham sustained a wound to the head, adding that the position in which he was found suggests he hit his head when he fell.
Residents of Juan de-Bolas have theorized that Cunningham fell because he lost his footing on the bad road while he made way for a vehicle.
The incident has reignited the residents’ appeal for Member of Parliament Dr Christopher Tufton to repair the roadway, which is often used by students enrolled at Juan de-Bolas Primary School.
Douglas told The Beacon that thoughts of the deplorable road possibly causing her lover’s demise have amplified her grief.
“I would prefer to know that he is on his bed and I was at his bedside feeding him and doing all I can for him until if God sees it fit for him to go,” she said.
Douglas added: “To know how he died, I just have to keep asking God to give me strength. Many times when I remember it, I just break down.”
Gloria Douglas Desmond Cunningham
Douglas said it is heart-wrenching to also know that Cunningham lost his life while heading to work.
“He tried his best at all times to put food on the table for his children and for others because he liked to share with others,” she further said. “He was a nice person, a loving person, and he was very hardworking. He was always encouraging his children and others to live loving.”
Cunningham fathered eight children – the youngest being 15 years old.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalized.
About the author: Horace Mills holds a B.A degree in Media and Communications from the University of the West Indies (CARIMAC). He worked as a freelance writer at Teen Herald while in high school, as a Senior Reporter at The North Coast Times, as Journalist and News Presenter at IRIE FM, and as Editor of the leading news publication in the British Virgin Islands – BVI News. Mills also served as Editor of The Eagle, published by Charlemont High School where he was Head Boy. He is recipient of various awards including the Fairplay Award and the Prime Minister’s National Youth Award for Excellence in Journalism. Mills is a stickler for fairness and accuracy in journalism.
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