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My Brother's
It is with regret that I inform you of Asphalt's passing. He died, I am told
at 4:0am. Please accept my apologies for the lateness in telling you. My
cell phone was off and his daughter and Peter Moses left messages for me. I
got the news 1 hour ago.
I have spoken with his daughter and Ms. Meeks the teacher at Calabar that fed
and looked after him at Calabar. Both are handling the passing well.
Alas I cannot say the same for me. Asphalt has tended to generations of my
family, my father, my brother and myself and finally my son. He treated each
with respect. It saddens me.
When I carried him to the hospital last Saturday, he said this "Missa Messam
when dem done wid me at the hospital, mek sure dem bring me back to Calabar.
Later
John
11/24/2008
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John,
You and those who have showed him kindness in various ways can rest in the memory that he appreciated our kind words and deeds. Having expressed care while he was alive we will miss him but let the pleasant memories remain. The Almighty knows best. We would not like to see him suffer and in pain from old age and the associated ailments. Last time I saw him a few weeks ago at the front gate I stopped and shared with him. He was not in a pleasant state at the front of the school. Those who did their part to help him be more comfortable understand his independent nature. We will all miss him and remember him well.
Richard L. Gordon (Big G)
11/24/2008 Cass-Cass
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On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM, <MABRAK7@aol.com> wrote:
Val,
I came to Calabar in 1964. I think Asphall was employed as a Calabar School Groundsman. I do not know when his employment began. In your time he was in the Tuck Shop Area to keep the area free from litter.
In about 1966 we really felt his presence. He was the one who marked out the lanes for the track. cleared the small stones on the backstretch during the track season and rolled the cricket pitch during the cricket season. Maintained the school grounds with Chambers..
During the football season he marked out the field and set up the goal posts with Chambers. Later on he was in charge of our safe crossing of Red Hills Road in the mornings.
What is fascinating about the man was his personality and dedication to the school and to the students. The sportsmen relied quite heavily on him to fix or repair any problem on the field. He was not a procrastinator.
He also extended his duties. He was our first " security officer " by just waiting around indiscreetly during the football season until we walked out to Red Hills Road. When there was a spate of watch snatchings and robberies of the first formers walking in to school from The Boulevard. It was Asphall who came along with us as prefects and stood guard and kept the hoodlums at bay from terrorizing the youngsters..
He was Mr. Fix - it . He was also The Utiliies Man.
However it was his personality and spirit which drew everyone to him. He was approachable and pleasant. He saw the students as his nephews and kept the school free from outsiders just wandering or passing through Calabar.. He chased away even the stray animals ( smile ).
What I found amazing about him was that he knew most if not every student in my time ...
He did not teach in the class room but what we learned from him was simplicity, kindness, service, and dedication . This is The Asphall that I knew........ May his soul rest in peace .....
One Heart,
Leroy
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And in honor of those who honor Asphall:
Abou Ben Adhem
ABOU Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
James Leigh Hunt
Astor Val Hackett
11/24/2008
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--- On Sun, 11/23/08, michael schloss <sylquee@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: michael schloss
Gentlemen of the Rabalac Lodge:
I would like to express my sympathy on hearing of Asphalt's passing and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family. As my esteemed colleague Rev Charles Carey so fittingly stated; Asphalt was an institution within an institution. Nicely put Sir Charlz; I think that sums it up.
Val, while I am unable to answer the question as to what exactly Asphalt did at Calabar; I suspect that the full measure of his contribution is..well..immeasurable! There are a million stories surrounding Asphalt in the Calabar universe. His passing is but one of them; and certainly won't be the last. I would venture to say that Asphalt's "official" job title was groundsman; but "utilitarian" might be more appropriate, since teaching (in the classroom) is about the only thing he didn't do. He certainly taught us all outside of the classroom.
Perhaps our collective reminiscences of his life can be archived and printed/preserved as a souvenir for his family; as well as the Calabar diaspora.
Lastly; I believe that his passing will finally reveal the biggest mystery in Calabar history: "What is Asphalt's real name?"
Rest easy Asphalt, your earthly work is done and yours is now the glory!
Bongo:-)
--- On Sun, 11/23/08, Spectrum <spectrum@storm.ca> wrote:
Val, This is a question that would perhaps best be addressed by one-time sports master George "Toto Nose" Thompson if he is still alive and composmentis. Or perhaps Canon Gervais Clarke might know. Also check Winston Walker.
And yes, I agree with a public memorial of some kind or kinds for Asphall, (I do not think there was a "T" in his name.
Fatz
Subject: Re: For Asphalt..PLEASE.
John; Leroy; others:
When did Asphalt first come to Calabar? How? Was he ever an employee; if so in what capacity?
I distinctly remember him being around the tuck shop and while I think I may have regarded him as a 'grounds man' I have not certainty of what he did.
Please help fill him out for us.
On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 5:06 AM, DA8novan Miles <web_warriorcascas@yahoo.com> wrote:
W_ Great suggestions !!! Asphalt has touched our lives in so many different ways and I too am saddened @ his loss. Thanks for the pictures that Donnie provided late last year, which helped to refresh my memory of this great man... so, Willo I am with you.. let's reach out to the community and find a way to SERIOUSLY continue his rich legacy.
M
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 8:40 PM
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On Sat, Nov 22, 2008 at 9:50 PM, Orville Green <ellivro@rogers.com> wrote:
Brothers,
Although I never had the pleasure of being acquainted with Asphal(t), I am in sympathy with you who were. John Donne laid it out for us in For Whom the Bell Tolls:
No man is an island, entire of itself; every
man is a piece of the continent, a part of the
main. If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory
were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or
of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."
John Donne
Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, no. 17 (Meditation) 1624 (published)
(Be careful of some slightly inaccurate versions of this in poetry format.)
o'gee
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My Brothers:
I do not remember this gentleman; however many of you have stories about him. It would be useful to document them as I know Rev. Dr. Russell is trying to put something together to be published for the Centenary in 2012.
Michael
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