It's never easy when someone passes, Rest In Peace Mr. Nelson

i will surely MIss you mister nelson. you are a second father to me. i love you!

I DONT EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START, I WISHED I WOULD OF TOLD MY UNCLE HOW MUCH I TRUELY DO ADORE AND LOVE HIM.. I REMEMBER GROWING UP I THOUGHT MY UNCLE WAS CRAZY GIVING MY SISTER, BROTHER AND I TREATS FOR MESSING WITH AUNT SIS (OUR GRAND MOTHER), AS WELL AS STRICT.. AS I SIT HERE AND THINK TO MYSELF, I NOW KNOW THAT UNCLE DAVE MIGHT OF BEEN A FUNNY PERSON AT HIS HEART BUT HE WAS A PERSON WHO NEVER TOOK EDUCATION FOR GRANTED. BEFORE MY MOTHER FLEW TO JAMAICA FROM FLORIDA SHE TOLD ME OF ALL THE GOOD UNCLE DAVE HAVE DONE SINCE HIS CHILDHOOD.. HE ALWAYS WANTED BETTER FOR EVERYONE, HE ALWAYS KNEW A PERSON CAN DO BETTER, NEVER FOR A MINUTE HAVE HE EVER GIVEN UP ON A SOUL.. I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING DOWN ON US AND I KNOW WE WERENT AS CLOSE AS WE WERE IN THE END BUT TRUTH IS UNCLE DAVE: I ALWAYS LOOKED UP TO YOU, EVEN WHEN I WAS MAD AT YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU GAVE ME I STILL LOVED YOU AND ALWAYS WILL.... I KNOW WE WILL MEET ONCE AGAIN (PLEASE, PLEASE MY DEAR UNCLE DONT ROAM THE EARTH PLEASE REST IN PEACE YOU SO DESERVE IT). I KNOW ONCE I FINISH MY COLLEGE DEGREE AND GO TO A UNIVERSITY TO OBTAIN MY MASTERS...PhD.. iI KNOW YOU'LL BE RIGHT BY MYSIDE WHEN THOSE HARD PROBLEMS ARISE IN CHEMISTRY I KNOW YOU WILL WIHISPER IN MY EAR WITH THE STEP ON HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.. MY HEART GOES OUT TO MY GRAND MOTHER MONICA GALLOWAY, MOTHER CAROL MORRIS, ROGE NELSON (CHRIS) ... AND EVERY ONE ELSE IN THE FAMILY AS WELL AS HIS EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBER AT UWI.. MAY GOD SHINE HIS GRACE ON US... LOVE YOU SO MUCH UNCLE DAVE

May God grant you that deserving place saved for his children

Haviing interacted with Mr. Nelson in the capacities of UWI student and later as Local Tutor in the UWIDEC programme, I found him to have been a true professional. May his soul rest in peace.

I deeply regret the passing of Mr. Cordel Nelson. I met Mr. Nelson as my senior while a student at Moneague Teachers' College in 1977. I was honored to have a dance with him at our First Year "Grub" Party. I ran into Mr. Nelson again in 1998-2000 while at the University of the West Indies where he helped me with registration. He was an oustanding gentleman and an expert in his field. He will be sadly missed. May his soul rests in peace.

I am still in shock of the passing of my uncle who I havent seen for over 9 years.I know he was disciplined, talented and special. I am praying for the rest of our family that at this time we will be comforted. Sitting at my desk at work in England watching his thansgiving service was one of the most painful thing I had to watch.Let us remember him for his dedication to education and for all the people whos life he touched one way or another. May your soul rest in peace Uncle dave.

I Give Thanks

As I mourn the loss of my dearly beloved boss and my fried I give thanks. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to know such a remarkable man. As I sat thinking about Sir my mind flashed back to so many memories of him But it is his dedication to his work and his giving of himself that I will remember most. I will remember how he gave of himself even though he was sick and in pain. I will remember the sacrifices he made to help others.. Even though my heart is aching I give thanks for having met Sir. It was my delight to watch Sir at work and to note his desire for perfection. For Sir it had to be perfect. I recalled at one Matriculation Ceremony when Sir called the team to the Assembly Hall to look at the decorations. Even though to us everything looked perfect, Sir insisted that one of the floral arrangements was lean. He would not be content until the florist repositioned it and then he said, "Yes, thats better now", I admired his leadership style and his nononsese approach. He strived for excellence and would not accept nothing less.

Sir you are gone way too soon, I miss you so much, but I ask the Eternal God of this universe to cause light perpetual to shine upon you.

It was a pleasure and enriching experience to have met and worked with Mr. Nelson

Sir, I am so shocked by your death that I am unable to express my thoughts. Our work relationship was very short, none the less you have left an indelible mark upon my life.

Missing you.

I had the honour of knowing Mr. Nelson during my studies at the University. A stern but warm and helpful individual. UWI has lost a stalwart. May his family, friends and the entire UWI family find strength in the Lord and may his soul rest in peace.

Tribute to Mr. Cordel A. Nelson

The Office of the Overseas Examinations Commission has had a long and fruitful relationship with Mr. Cordel Nelson and the Examinations Section, UWI Mona. He has been a tremendous help in the conduct of examinations by the OEC at UWI in terms of security, procedure and personnel. The OEC always knew the highstandard at which Examination Supervisors and Invigilators must function when they ventured onto the campus to work on its behalf and were at pains to ensure that Mr. Nelson was not disappointed.

The OEC is privileged to have benefitted from his expertise and assistance over the years. His focus was always on the solution to a problem. We will miss him.

Overseas Examinations Commission, Jamaica

Mr. Nelson was always very helpful and co-operative on student-related matters and he will be remembered as one of the most outstanding servants of the UWI. His contribution to the development of our University should not go unremembered, and an award should be conferred in his name in the near future. Please convey to his family the sadness and condolences of the members of staff at Open Campus Grenada.

SINCERE CONDOLENCE TO FAMILY RELATIONS AND WORKING FAMILY OF MR. NELSON . MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, PLEASE TAKE COMFORT IN NOTING MR. NELSONS LIFE AS BEING WELL SPENT AND A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY

I express condolences from the Bahamas to Mr. Nelson s family. His loss will indeed impact on the UWI significantly and we will all remember his dedicated service to our University. His spirit will continue to oversee the graduation ceremonies on the Mona Campus.

Cordel

I will always remember you as a most caring and generous spirited person. I have much to give you thanks for. You inspired my children to achieve and helped them to see the potential that was in them. I will truly miss you, my friend.

The UWI Open Campus Offers Sympathy on the Passing of Mr. Cordel Nelson

22 July 2009 The Principal, executive management and staff of the UWI Open Campus convey their sincere condolences to the family, friends and co-workers on the recent passing of a true friend and supporter of the new campus, Mr. Cordel Nelson. Mr. Nelson was the Senior Assistant Registrar in the Examinations Section of the UWI at the Mona Campus. Principal of the UWI Open Campus, Professor Hazel Simmons-McDonald states, I was most surprised at the news of his death, as I did not know of his illness. I remembered our last encounter on the steps of the Mona undercroft when he was at his wittiest and we were both laughing at one of the stories he would sometimes tell me to lighten my mood he would say. He treated me with the utmost kindness, was always very helpful and I will miss his presence when I visit Mona. As Principal, I offer my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Nelson. He has made a valuable contribution to the development of our University and, by extension, the Caribbean region. He worked very closely with many of our colleagues around the region and willingly accommodated the requests of the Heads of Open Campus Centres and was a pillar of support for us all. We deeply appreciate his collaboration with us over the years and will remember him for his selfless and generous nature. We are saddened by his death. The Director of the Open Campus Country Sites, Mrs. Luz Longsworth, also observed that Mr. Nelson s passing is a tremendous loss for the University and for all of us who had a good friend in Cordel. He was one of the strongest supporters of the Open Campus at Mona. We will miss him. Other Heads of the Open Campus Country Sites who worked closely with Mr. Nelson over the years expressed their own shock and sorrow at the news of his death. The Head of the Open Campus, Dominica, Dr. Francis Severin, said that he was deeply saddened by this news as he had met Mr. Nelson on different occasions when visiting Jamaica and always found him extremely cooperative and understanding. He was one of those on the campus who seemed to empathise with us and the issues that confronted us. We in the Open Campus have lost a friend.

My condolences to a lovely person I have had the pleasure of working with across the Caribbean sea for over twenty years and when we meet at least once a year there was never, never a dull moment. Hail to a man who dedicated himself to the University's. We love you Cordel.

Very nice and accommodating man

We were really saddened to hear of the death of Mr. Nelson. I, too, worked in the Faculty of Education from 1983 - 1986. As a newcomer both to Jamaica and to the Faculty of Education, it was a joy to work with someone who was willing to give up his precious lunch-time to show me how things operated in the office of JBTE and also to accompany me to the Papine Market to show me how to deal with the hawkers. It was a worthwhile lesson - in a couple of weeks I knew what I was about in the office and I knew how to shop in the market.

Please convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, especially his mum. He spoke of his mum often and though we have never met her, whenever he went home to the country for a visit on the weekend, she would send back produce from the garden for my husband and me. I know that Mona has lost a great worker and friend. May God comfort both his dear family and also the family at the Mona Campus.

Analytical, organized, articulate, hardworking, humorous, conscientious, caring are some of the words I would use to describe Mr. Nelson. I met Mr. Nelson when I was granted the opportunity to work at the University of the West Indies in the Examinations Section, as his secretary.

Mr. Nelson demonstrated his numerous talents and professionalism in the work environment and has allowed me to appreciate the meaning of hard work. Working with Mr. Nelson was a great experience for me. I really appreciate that I had the privilege to meet him.

Mr. Nelson has left an indelible mark at this University; and his memories will live on. May God’s blessing continue to reign on his family, friends and colleagues.

A great loss. My prayers are with the family.

Mr. Nelson (you) will be greatly missed. Especially, to observe the way he/you approached work with such fervor. He was very meticulous in the execution of his duties and i admired that.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Nelson’s death. As a young faculty member of UWI, I remember receiving a phone call one day from Mr. Nelson where he stated that I had violated exam regulations based on my handling of a student’s grade appeal. Since then, I have learnt a lot about the procedures governing examinations thanks to Mr. Nelson. I was always able to call on him for advice regarding examination matters. And even though we were dealing with uncomfortable issues such as students cheating, it felt good knowing that Mr. Nelson was there to guide you on what to do. I agree wholeheartedly with Joy Pilgrim when she writes about “his fierce protection of the rules, regulations and procedures of the University and his determination to safeguard the University’s high standards and its image at all cost.” We will all miss him.

Cordel Nelson joined the staff of the Joint Board of Teacher Education, Institute of Education, in 1983 having been handpicked for the position of Examinations Supervisor by Mrs. Amy Miller, herself now deceased. Even as a young man the calibre of the man was evident. Here he guided the examination process of the teachers colleges served by the Joint Board of Teacher Education with his characteristic thoroughness and care, his actions always seasoned by personal concern for those he served. In fact, it was the tasks he undertook at the Joint Board which undoubtedly groomed him for his role in the Examination Section of UWI’s Mona campus.

His transition to the Examination section of the University in 1991, however, did not sever his ties with the Joint Board. His deep interest in, and commitment to teacher education and his love for Mathematics compelled him to continue to serve the sector notwithstanding the ever increasing demands of his substantive post. Himself a product of the teachers colleges, he happily gave back to the sector.

For years he was the leader of the team which conducted the external assessment of the teaching practice of Mico students being prepared for the primary system - his interviews of those students always sensitive to their obvious apprehension about this final activity of their teacher preparation journey. Similarly, he conducted his responsibilities as external examiner for Mathematics with a meticulous diligence that was hard to surpass. The Joint Board of Teacher Education extends to his family condolences on his passing.

Being a transfer student fron the distance learning programme in St Vincent in 1996- had many problems, Mr Nelson was there to assist me ensuring that everything was in place and assisted greatly in alleviating my frustration in the length of time things took to get sorted. As i reflect (from the UK) on his assistance and tremendous love for his work i am honoured to have known him.

God's spead Mr Nelson. You are not alone on the "Nightshift."

I have said good bye so many times. Leaving work at 7pm we would chat a bit then bid each other farewell. Returning from University meetings at the airport we said see you later. I just did not expect that on that Thursday evening when I said i'll see you tomorrow, tomorrow wouldn't come. It doesn't seem real. Even though I know you're gone I still expect to see one of those famous bright coloured suits break the Exams Section corner on the way out of the building. I miss you..

I am saddened to learn of Cordel's passing. We were colleagues at Mona in the 90's. Later on I had the pleasure of working collaboratively with him on the joint Hospitality degree programme, during my time at UTech. I found him to be knowledgeable about his job, efficient and pleasant to work with. His commitment to UWI was unquestionable.

May his soul find eternal rest with our Maker.

Gone too soon....

I remember July 1988 when i was told by HR (then Personnel Department) that I would be going to work at Examinations Section. I was a bit apprehensive as i had heard of this Mr. Nelson who was strict and that a lot of people either did not stay there long or were looking for a transfer. I however was not too daunted by this piece of information as my husband knew him and had high regard for his ethic and he has also tutored me in Mathematics at UWI evening school.

Those 5 years i worked with Cordel Nelson before having to transfer due my pursuit of a UWI degree, were to cement my professional life as we developed mutual respect for each other. There were so many wonderful memories that i have had the privilege of being a part of. Though there were extremely stressful times in preparing for matriculation or graduation or some other duty, I learned so much from working with Mr. Nelson.

Even after i left the section, we had a bond that was never broken as we would still communicate. Whenever i visited the section, I had to pop into his office and he'd have that sheepish, blush of a smile and I'd get a hug and kiss on the cheek. Always wanting to know how i was doing in school although he could very well access my info. He supported me and was elated at my achievements, always giving me encouragement and advice.

I was very moved when he invited me as one of his specially invited guests at his award of excellence. Sir, I too was beaming with pride to have known and shared in your life and to know you thought enough of me to invite me. Thank you.

My life has indeed been touched by your aspirations for excellence and professionalism. I much enjoyed your comical side which not everyone outside of Exams Section can relate to or have had the privilege to experience. This is the part of your personality that made it easy for staff to relate to you. You always sought to create a family atmosphere and jumped at any opportunity to hang with us. You always used to ruffle feathers to get me a working computer or printer ASAP! "Mrs. LaMont needs to do her work!" I'd hear you shouting impatiently on the phone to the supplier and believe me before the end of the day, my new tool was delivered. Ah, Mr. Nelson you knew how to get things done.

I also remember one Christmas party when we bravely decided to do a little skit imitating your signature way of talking and your antics. The look on your face was priceless!!! You were dumb struck and in shock. You went about telling your friends the following Monday at work about what we had done and of the course the person who we gave the job of imitating you was on your malice list for days! I had fun with you Mr. Nelson. I miss you, love you and will never forget you. Rest in Peace.

we could bring you back again, For one more hour or day, We’d express all our unspoken love; We’d have countless things to say.

If we could bring you back again, We’d say we treasured you, And that your presence in our lives Meant more than we ever knew.

If we could bring you back again, To tell you what we should, You’d know how much we miss you now, And if we could, we would.

Mr. Nelson will be missed greatly.

Cordel or I as I preferred "Cords" will represent one of the positive memories of my service to UWI. He was such a valuable friend in good times and in not so good times. He cared; he shared; he made me laugh about things one should cry. His outstanding service, exceptional talent, loyalty and commitment to UWI cannot be duplicated.

I am truly sad that I have lost my friend and I shall miss him. May he rest in peace.

I have known Cordel since July 2003 and it was my pleasure to have worked with him on the UWI/UTech Joint Degree programme.

May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. Nelson made his presence felt in every aspect of his job. As student/Alumni you could actually 'experience' his authority and expertise in his area. He worked with dignity.

I first met Cordel when we worked in the Faculty of Education.

I know that the University of the West Indies in general, and the Mona Campus in particular, has lost a gem.

Cordel was one of the finest examples of an exceptional employee - one who was prepared to, and allways went any extra mile it would take to get the job done, and done well.

I do not think the UWI could ask more of an employee. He did his job and always to his best, while at the same time interacting positively with staff and students alike.

The UWI has been a better place for having had the input and contribution of a Cordel Nelson.

May his contributions to this place be a considerable part of his memoirs.

My family and I have been praying for him ever since he went into the hospital, unfortunately, the answer to our prayers was not the one we were looking for. I don't know what's worse...deleting a name from our prayer list, or adding one to the dearly departed list. This is a terrible, terrible loss to his family, friends, and the entire UWI community, but we continue to pray for those who are left behind because they now have the pain of a departed loved one. May our wonderful memories of Mr. Nelson (Cordel/Dave) give us strength, and the love around help us through the days ahead.

We (Mommy and I) were talking about Mr. Nelson as I drove her to the airport in late June. She was saying threre's a doctor she was going to tell him about as soon as she got home.

You can't imagine how devastated I was to learn he had become seriously ill, and later die.

If only we were a few weeks earlier, maybe...

There can be no real consolation for the sad loss of our friend and colleague Cordel Anthony Nelson. No one who came into contact with Cordel will ever forget him. The University of the West Indies has lost an invaluable member of staff. Ms Monica, Chris and the rest of the family - our hearts go out to you in your sudden bereavement.

Cordel and I became joined at the hip in February, 1991. I was then Assistant Registrar in charge of Examinations and had been struggling without an Administrative Assistant for nearly three years. One after the other two or three persons had accepted the job and within a month or so had run away from the exhausting and complex work of the Section. The Administrative Assistant who had been there in 1985 when I was sent to “run” the Section had retired and did not wish an extension. There were no computers in those days to ease the burden of the tedious tasks which had to be precisely and perfectly performed and there were no air conditioners . We felt the heat in more ways than can be imagined.

Then Cordel entered my life. He came to me from the Joint Board of Teacher Education, where he had worked since 1983 as a Supervisory Clerk. He took on the challenge and “Bolted” with it. With his experience from the JBTE and his keen logical mind, he bent his energies to the exacting tasks of the department.

As one who was closely associated with Cordel, I have knowledge of his passion for excellence and his obsession with perfection, his analytical mind and his artistic touch, his thoroughness and dedication to duty; his fierce protection of the rules, regulations and procedures of the University and his determination to safeguard the University’s high standards and its image at all cost.

I believe though, that Cordel was happiest and most fulfilled when he was teaching. He was a brilliant teacher of Mathematics. There are many parents who will forever be grateful to him for tutoring their children to success in the CSEC (CXC ) or GCE “O” level Mathematics examinations. To my knowledge none failed. Their parents rejoiced and Cordel was satisfied.

Can any of us ever forget Cordel’s daily sartorial statements? On special occasions, we eagerly anticipated his distinctive custom made suits which he wore so well and with such confidence.

Cordel’s death has come as a shock to all of us who knew of his considerable ability and who believed and hoped that there were many more new avenues in which his talents could assist the development of our university.

I am proud that he called me “Mother” and that he credited me with having nurtured him. He was indeed like a son to me who I wanted to be better than I was. We nurtured each other. Throughout my career after I left “Exams” we called on each other for support . We drew strength from each other. I am sure that Cordel gave strength to many others. He was that sort of person.

And with apologies to Rupert Brooke, I bid farewell to a true friend:

They told me Heraclitus
They told me you were dead
They brought me bitter news to hear,
And bitter tears to shed
I wept as I remembered how
Often you and I
Had tired the sun with (working)
And sent him down the sky
And now that you are lying my
Dear old Carian guest
A handful of grey ashes
Long, long ago at rest
Still are the pleasant voices
Thy nightingales awake,
For death he takest all away
But these he cannot take”

Cordel, I pray that your soul will rest in peace.

On behalf of all of us at the IGDS Mona Unit, I ask that you convey our sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Mr Cordell Nelson.

Mr Nelson has has made a sterling contribution to the UWI and we thank God for his life of sacrifice and service to the UWI over many years. Today I learnt that he was ill and was speaking with Rev Byfield who was Invigilator at the Old Library. We were speaking of Mr Nelson so it was shocking to learn that perhaps as we spoke he was passing.

Even as we mourn his loss we celebrate his life of dedication and service to this institution. His untimely passing at a relatively young age is also a message to all of us to care ourselves and manage work stress.

May his soul rest in peace and may light perpetual shine on him.

I just read the email and am in total shock. I saw Cordel before I left to go on leave - in fact I went specifically to tell him and his staff that I would be on leave for a month and wouldn't be around to harass them! He was a great friend and colleague and I will miss him very, very much. He was an amazing character, the quintessential workaholic, attentive to detail, warm, generous and very caring where the students were concerned. I have consulted with him on so many occasions on how to counsel students.... Right now I'm still in shock, but I know that I'll feel the grief in greater measure soon.....

It is with shock that I learned of the death of Mr. Nelson. I am very sorry to hear. He was a friend of my late mother (who worked in the Bursary) and during my tenure on Campus, I have had to interact with him. I had the highest regard for him. He had vast knowledge of the University's regulations and though very strict, he was approachable. Again, my condolence.

Dear Exam Section at UWI MONA,

I wish to express my sincere condolences at the passing of a true dedicated person, Mr Nelson;. he will always be remembered by me. May he have sweet rest in Christ Jesus!

It is indeed a very sad day. The university has undeniably lost a humble and outstanding servant, who clearly has no equal. I sincerely hope that the senior assistant's post will be filled by someone of parallel repute.

One revolving sentiment so far by most of my grieving friends is that the late Cordel Nelson was approachable, humble and very pleasant, which is necessary for such a demanding office, in that it fosters students/administrators relationship. Therefore, for the powers having the task of replacing Sir Nelson, please find the best person that any student can just stop and talk to: not by appointment and status.

I am heartbroken at this news.

I have just heard about Cordel's passing and I am in shock as I am sure you all are. He was a good friend and a man of exceptional talent and dedication. I will miss his advice and his help which have guided me through many challenges at UWI over the years. The Open Campus has lost a mentor and a supporter. I am sure a formal statement will come soon but for now I am sitting here in Trinidad mourning the loss of our friend Cordel. I had on my laptop here with me in Trinidad a picture that I treasured of when Cordel received his VC's Award for Excellence. It was a wonderful night for him and for all of us who were privileged to witness it, and I will remember his happiness as captured in the photo. May we all remember him as a man of excellence always. Rest in peace Cordel.