Devoted J’can lauded at funeral service in NY
Photo: (L) Byron Brown, mayor of Buffalo, New York, paying tribute to the late Dr Charles Anderson. (R) ANDERSON… was buried in New York on Monday.
NEW YORK, USA — Doctor Charles L Anderson Sr, an iconic figure within the Jamaica community here who died on October 28, was buried on Monday following a thanksgiving service at the Bethel AME Episcopal Church of Buffalo.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Buffalo’s Mayor Byron Brown, and Rick Nugent, who heads the National Association Of Jamaica and Supportive Organisations (NAJASO), were among those who paid tribute to the late medical practitioner.
For more than four decades Anderson, who grew up in the deep rural district of Mt Regale in St Mary, single-handedly transformed the Jamaican community here into a cohesive and effective force through a number of initiatives. He also formed several organisations which he used to improve and advance the social and economic conditions of his countrymen.
In her tribute, which was delivered by Jamaica’s Counsul General to New York Herman LaMont, Simpson Miller described Dr Anderson as “one of those Jamaicans who never cut the umbiblical cord behind them”.
She noted that her own constituency “had benefited from Dr Anderson’s work” as he led several teams of health professionals from Help Jamaica Medical Mission — one of the organisations he founded — to offer free health care services to hundreds of needy Jamaicans over a number years.
Brown, in the meantime, declared in a mayoral proclamation honouring Anderson that beginning next year, November 9, “will be celebrated as Dr Charles L Anderson Sr Day in Buffalo”.
Anderson, who already has a street named in his honour, was also lauded in a resolution recognising his work by the Maryland State Senate and a Citation by the New York State Assembly.
Dr Anderson co-founded The Medical Group of Western New York, a minority multi-speciality private practice, and was also medical director of Drug Dependency Services of Buffalo.
He developed two medical programmes using the service, which have been used extensively throughout New York State to meet the complete medical, emotional and psychological needs of alcohol and chemically addicted individuals.
Dr Anderson, who gained his medical degree from the University of Buffalo’s medical school, will best be remembered by Jamaicans for medical progammes implemented through Help Jamaica Medical Mission, National Medical Association of Buffalo,the Caribbean Medical Mission, and efforts at promoting trade and tourism through NAJASO.
Jamaica Labour Party Councillor Devon Wint, who represents the the Point Hill Division of the St Catherine Parish Council, was among those who attended the funeral service.