On Monday, March 19th 2007, hundreds of mourners packed St. Michael’s Anglican Church on Windward Road, in East Kingston for the thanksgiving service for the life of KC Old Boy, Rev Canon Hugh Smythe, who passed away at age 93.
In his tribute, Custos of Kingston, Canon Weeville Gordon, remembered Smythe as the first Kingston College student to enter the ministry. At that time, Bishop Percival Gibson beamed with pride because he saw KC as the nursery for the Anglican Church Ministry. Despite his stutter, Smythe went on to become a very successful Anglican minister.
Rev Canon Hugh Smythe served the Anglican Church for more than 60 years and was the first Chaplain to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, a position he held for 33 years. He spent 38 years as head of St Michael's church. He founded St Boniface Church in Harbour View and St Patrick's Church in East Kingston. He was ordained as deacon in 1942 and 10 years later was promoted as a Rector of the church. He retired in 1989 due to failing health.
Assistant Commissioner, Clarence Taylor, who represented Commissioner Lucius Thomas, commenting on his work in the police force said," He has left a legacy which lives on and that is the appointment of a full time Chaplin and assistant Chaplains in every division throughout the island, the formation of Cops for Christ and a peer counselors’' group..
Canon Symthe had no children but he adopted many. He was interred at The St Andrew Parish Church Cemetery following the service of thanksgiving.
