Initially he was Ahgoulou, thereafter it was simply Goulou. I returned home last night to the sad news news that my longtime friend, my classmate and teacher extraordinaire, Cyprian Simon, had passed away. I first met Goulou when I entered St. Marys College. He was a form ahead then but we became classmates a year later and there was born a life long friendship. I can recall those SMC days like they were yesterday. The cricket near the Batchie - to this day I am unaware as to why it was called thus - the trips on Mr. Boys bus, the walks down the short cut and the many escapades with Colin Foster and Henry Abby St. Clair. George Haggai Alcee, Cecil and Embert Charles too. We were jolly bunch, to be sure, who saw SMC not simply as a learning institution, but importantly as a place of bonding among disparate souls. That is why the Class of 74 was different. We were brothers first and foremost. All of us. It was the first SMC Class which had at least one student from every town and village in the island. From Gros Islet in the north (Llewellyn Gill) to Vieux Fort (Thomas Butter Bread Louisy) in the south and from Dennery (Dominic Eudovic) in the east to Soufriere (Leton Lamontagne and Sylvester Francois) in the west, they were all there. We had this unbreakable bond, did the class of 74 and even as we all physically went our separate ways post graduation, spiritually we were always joined. I was among the most surprised when Goulou chose to be a teacher. Anyone who knew him back then would have been aware that this was the last thing on his mind. He was, after all, among the most problematic students who loved making life as difficult as possible for the teachers. So no, we never thought of him as one of them. That said, we always knew he would be successful at whatever profession he chose. And boy did he turn out to be among the best we have ever had! Every boy who had the privilege of his tutelage spoke highly of his skills. I am told he simplified learning to a point where students actually looked forward to the next days lectures. He wasnt all work, though, and he loved sports. More fan than player mind you. And yes he loved Calypso. Ah the calypso. With classmates like Haggai, Embert Charles, Cecil Charles, David Jordan and Jerry George, how could the Class of 74 not like Calypso? That he would pass away in the middle of the Calypso season may well be what he would have wanted. I will miss you my friend. Aristotle said: In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge; the young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weaknesses and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds. Rest in Peace Goulou
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 12:37:53 +0000
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