BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THEY had gathered on many occasions in the past but this time was difficult because they were gathering to lay to rest their colleague and friend, Fire Officer Javier Caines.
Members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services assembled at the St. Paul’s football field yesterday afternoon (Mar. 23) to perform duties which, although making their hearts heavy, they were pleased to be able to execute in honour of their fallen colleague.
Caines, according to reports, was shot while leaving a party in the Sandy Point area on the evening of March 5. He reportedly died on the scene.
Since his death, officers hae expressed their sadness and disbelief over the incident and remembered him as a hard-working and friendly individual.
His eulogy, which was read by Fire Sub-Officer Garfield Hodge on behalf of Caines’ elder sister, reflected nothing less.
“Javier was a hard and dedicated worker. He was friendly, helpful and would have given his last to help anyone in need. He was a joyous fellow who loved to laugh and make others laugh as well. Though Javier grew up among so many sisters and his mother, he never depended on our help or took his gender as an excuse for not doing household chores.”
He was also a family man who cherished his two boy children and, as was also indicated in the eulogy, just hours before his demise he had spent time with them at the Sandy Point Primary School Sports Meet.
Fire Chief Everette O’Garro offered tribute at the funeral, remembering Caines as respectful.
“Mr. Caines displayed positive attributes at an early stage in his career. He was always punctual, respectful, ready to listen and learn. His qualities and love for his profession definitely earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. He was eager to take part in any activity related to his job.
“In fact, in the year 2013, FO Javier Caines was a leading member of a St.Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services team that travelled to our neighboring island of Antigua to take part in the Antigua Fire Services Week of Activities. I was not surprised when Javier returned to the Federation with the champion’s trophy for the One-Man Fire Drill and Target Drill Competitions.”
He also described Caines as disciplined and cool mannered. Notwithstanding, he knew how to be the life of a party.
“Although cool mannered and quiet, he could in no time become the life of any party or social gathering put on by the Fire Services. He would sometimes do this by performing some funny weird type of dancing moves that would definitely grab your attention and leave you rolling in laughter. He always provided the humor that helped to lighten the long work day. There was never a dull moment with Percy around.
“Put this a side…he was serious about his personal development and would not hesitate to make his presence felt at development sessions such as lectures and drills. It was just last year that he took the Fire Services 2015 promotion exams. This was a clear testimony of the positive character of the man.”
Tributes were also paid by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Osmond Petty and a small contingent of the Antigua Fire Department showed their support by attending the ceremony.
Draped with a flag of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, the coffin which bore Caines’ body was hoisted by pall bearers – dressed in ceremonial wear - on a tender of the Fire Department, which transported it to burial site.
A last call was given to Fire Officer Javier Caines where a simulated emergency call was made over the Fire Services radio during which his name was recited along with the station at which he last worked and a few parting words.
Fire Officer Javier Caines was interred at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church yard.
“We have lost good brother
We have lost a good son
We have lost a good colleague
We will dearly miss him
May his soul rest in eternal peace”
