Bangle

He came from Pittston, Pennsylvania, in the United States to teach, preach, and effect change in the lives of those he come into contact with, and that Aleck Bangle did for 63 years as a missionary working in Jamaica.

In February 1946, after reading for a certificate at the Watch Tower Bible School of Gilead for missionaries in New York, he was assigned duties in Jamaica.

The duties of the then 27-year-old took him to a number of rural areas throughout the island teaching people about Christ.

Travelling and spreading the gospel was even more difficult at the time, as the number of Jehovah's Witness believers were few and the transportation system was almost non-existent. Thus, to convert individuals to Christ, Bangle often had to travel Jamaica's hilly terrain on a donkey.

The journeys were tedious and tiresome but they left him with fond memories of Jamaica.

"Backra man pon donkey!" was one of the many shouts of amusement from people that Bangle would enthusiastically speak about when he reflected on his early missionary work.

124 congregations

However, the victory of establishing 124 congregations with hundreds of believers from the 200 that existed when Bangle started speaks volumes of his life's work and the zest with which he undertook his tasks as a missionary.

With much more to give, Bangle in 1950 departed Jamaica for Grand Cayman in the companionship of Lee Dillon, where they continued to share God's word with people.

Today, there are three English and one Spanish-speaking Jehovah's Witness congregation in Grand Cayman, another success story for Bangle and the ministry of Christ.

Soon after his return to Jamaica, he continued his missionary work and rendered assistance to those in need.

Bangle lived his life by the philosophy: 'Good, better, best, may you never rest, till your good gets better and your better best.'

Bangle, born September 13, 1919, died on July 16 at 89 in the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies.

He was a man with an infectious sense of humour and impeccable graces who will forever live on in the lives and hearts of those whom he had touched.

The memorial service for the life of the man of enchanting ways and a desire to help persons that transcended religious divides was held at the Assembly Hall, 71 Marlie drive, Old Harbour, yesterday.