The late Samuel Algernon Wilkinson was remembered as a man of God, a man of sports and a super dad who played “a fine innings of 82”.
Dozens of Barbadians flocked to Christ Church Parish Church to pay homage to Wilkinson, a household name in sports journalism for five decades, who passed away on June 25.
Wilkinson was remembered as 7Up Sam and Scripture Sam for his enduring role as a broadcaster and as a pillar in the Anglican Church where he served on the synod.
Dean Dr Jeffrey Gibson, in his address, said that Wilkinson had “played a fine hand”, adding that loyalty was his defining character.
He said Wilkinson had loyalty of love, which was showcased on the playing fields and in commentary; loyalty of group, which extended to the YMCA, Central, CBC and Combermere School; and demonstrated his loyalty to God by way of his association to All Souls Anglican, St Michael’s Cathedral and Christ Church Parish Church.
Before a congregation that included Bishop Michael Maxwell, Sir Wes Hall, Sir Marston Gibson, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne, former Mr Universe Earl Maynard, and retired economics Professor Andrew Downes, Gibson said that Wilkinson was an Anglican through and through of the traditional vintage who was “always keen to fulfil his religious duty”.
Revered retired broadcast journalist Tony Cave said Wilkinson stood out at school. “He was tall, ubiquitous and talkative. I actually heard him for sometime before I saw him for the first time. He stood sharp in his uniform, from his cap to his glistening shoes. He always had a bat in his bag, and two balls in his hands,” said Cave, who met Wilkinson for the first time in September 1954.
Cave said that Wilkinson, the first sports editor of the NATION, was born to be a communicator.
“He was always in discussion, invariably in cricket. Sam could discuss the careers of every major cricketer within and outside of the West Indies.”
Cave spoke about the impact that Wilkinson had on All Souls Anglican Church where he became a Sunday school teacher and assisted in the administration and development of the church.
Wilkinson made a mark for both CBC and Barbados Rediffusion, and, according to Cave, he brought sport to new life, especially with the 7 Up Sam programme, reaching audiences throughout the Caribbean.
Both of Sam’s children, Barry and Samantha, gave impactful tributes tracing back their life and times with their father, making it clear he will forever be in their hearts.
Barry said that his father was his voice coach every day for 47 years.
He referred to his dad as Dr Sam, noting that if there was a category for parenting at university, his father would get a doctorate.
“Daddy and I were very close. Not a day went by that daddy did not provide support, advice and mentorship. If I was on the moon and I needed a cup of water, and there was one person I could depend on, it would be dad,” Barry said.
Daughter Samantha, who delivered the first of the tributes, said that her father was larger than life and
full of energy.
“He was a lovely person, a very kind man. He read his Bible every day; he never missed a day. He loved God and God loved him,”said Samantha, who spoke at length on growing up with her parents (Sam and Judy).’’
Samantha was very proud of her father.
“God gave us a super, extra-ordinary person to be our dad. I loved my father.” Wednesday’s funeral attracted many of this country’s elite journalists such as Julius Gittens, Andi Thornhill, Peter Thorne, Keith Holder, Haydn Gill, Sylvester Forde and Mark Seale.
