Is it true that Dolphie has died

I got a phone call from England with that sad news also.
I will now make my call to confirm.

which dolphie is it? is it dolphie ebanks miss joe son?

I would like to express my deepest condolences to Miss Ditty and family on the passing of Mas Dalphie. Among many memories my favorites will be all of us at the various Sandy Bank Primary School sporting events, especially with Miss Ditty and Mas Dalphie attempting to teach me cricket.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

We would like to express our deepest condolences to Miss Ditty and family, May his soul rest in peace. Great memories live on.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Condolences to the family of Dolphie Ebanks of Treasure Beach, Jamaica. May God give you the strength you need to carry on in this sad time.

When I saw my cousin in December 2009, I did not know that was the last time we would meet.

Miss Ditty, I have been trying to get to you by phone ever since I got the sad news but will continue trying.

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

From Marvalyn and the rest of children of the late Ellen Edmond of Fort Charles.

My deepest condolences to Miss ditty and family on the passing mas Dalphie. He was a loving person...May the word of God be a comfort to you all during this sad time...
R.I.P mass Dalphie

Dalphie opened his eyes, and looked up into the beautiful face of his very dear friend, who beamed with happiness as they embraced, and at that very moment they were both in heaven, where joy and bliss reigned. The friends received wings like the other angels, and they flew about together, hand in hand, just as they walked this earth many years ago, hand in hand. I can only imagine!!!

Dalphie you were a good man, my condolence is sent to your family.
On behalf of Bargy's family,
______________________________

My heart felt condolences goes out to Miss Ditty and family and the passing of Mr.Dalpie. My prayers will be with you in the time of your lost. May God be your comfort in this time of grieving.I never forget how faithful he was to his wife and children and even when purchasing a piece of land from him how humble and nice he was to me and my family .May his soul rest in peace.

I wish to express my sincere condolence to Miss Ditty, Dayne and my friend Deon. I knew he how much he loved his wife and children and he would do anything for you all. I always admire how close the family was and cannot imagine what you are all going through.

He always made me feel loved and belonged whenever I was around him, cannot forget the time we were in Mandeville and someone asked him which one of us was he daughter and his reply was both of them.

DeDe, I know you still dont feel like talking, but just remember he only went to sleep with the Lord and you will see him again.

Love you all and you are all in my prayers

To Ditty and the children:
I am saddened to learn of Dal Dal's passing. We shared many a good times together, back and forth from work, and even later when we saw each other only sparingly. I have seen few that showed the level of caring that he did in regards to his fellow man and his community. We have lost a good one but he left the very best example with those fortunate to have known him. May his soul rest peacefully and may you all find strength in knowing that he fought the good fight.

My sincere Condolence to Ditty and family.
Keep trusting in God as I know you always have and your burden and sadness will seems lighter as the days go by.
From your cousin,
Murnel and family.

Our condolences to Dettie and family the passing of Dalphie may the lord give you strength, god have a better place for each and everyone of us god bless you all.

My deepest condolences to Miss Ditty and family. May God console you in this your time of need. Dolphie was a warm spirited man, a gentle giant who will surely be missed.
We must remember that this is not the end, and to Miss Ditty and her family, you will see your loving husband and father again. God Bless

Our Deepest condolences to Miss Ditty and family. Mas Dolphie was a great neighbour and a great friend! May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now in the days ahead. We are thinking of you during this difficult time, words seems inadequate to express the sadness we feel.

We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief. My cousin Dalphie was a wonderful man in every way and will surely be missed.
Ditty, Dayne and Deon just know that this wonderful man is now resting free from all pain.
May his soul rest in peace. Wish i could be there with you at this time.

Love always
Leonard and family (London)

My warmest condolences goes out to Miss Ditty, Dayne and Deon on the passing of a dear husband, father and my cousin, maas Dolphie.
Although it is difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory comforts your tomorrow. May his soul rest in peace.

Sent with love and rememberance.
Nadine (London)

My sincere condolences to Miss Ditty and her family.

-Eric

My deepest condolences to Miss Ditty and Family. My prayers are with you, may his soul rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy to Ditty and family. Wishing you comfort at this sorrowful time. God bless you all.

Those we love remain with us
For love itself lives on,
And cherished memories never fade
Because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be
More than a thought apart,
Far as long as there is memory,
They'll live on in the heart.

Miss Ditty,I'm so sorry to hear of Dolphie's passing,may you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you've shared together.May his soul rest in peace.My thoughts and prayers are with you.Love,Rema.

Walk good Cuz. Boy you beat me to it.

Mass Dalphie,was truly I good man and will be missed dearly. I will miss the lovely conversation we shared whenever we saw each other. To Miss Ditty and my counsins Dayne & Deon take comfort in the legacy he left behind and God will see you through this difficult time, please remember he loved you all remember the good times shared and dwell on those times. You are all in my prayers.

Love always
Cousin Georgia

WILL BE HELD AT THE CHURCH RIGHT BESIDE SUNSET VILLA AND JAKES ON THE 28 OF AUGUST, AT 10 AM.

So sad to heard about the death of my hero Dalphie,i dont forgot when i was a young boy he aways suported me playing cricket he is man i did care for rest in peace god dont give us more than we can bare. Miss Ditty and kids be strong.

All the very best to you Miss Ditty on the passing of your wonderful husband Mass Dolphie. Bless you and your family.

Miss Ditty,("old teacher")sometimes we are at a lost for words in sad moments like these when we see our loved ones go. Please accept a hug of comfort, and know I am lifting you and the family up in prayers. May God's Comfort and Peace be with you always.
Your old student,
Carolyn Ward-Ashman & family

Hi Ditty, Dayne and Deon,
Sorry I did not get to Treasure Beach when I was in Jamaica in June on the sad occasion of attending my sister Carmen's funeral. It was good to see Ellen, Daryn and others at the funeral.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dolphie.
Please accept condolences from my husband John and myself. I am praying for the family.
John knew Dolphie from working at Alpart back in the 80's.
Please stay strong and God bless.
May God's comfort be a source of strength through this difficult time.

Love.
Your cousin.
Carol Reynolds-Saunders.

To Miss Ditty and family my deepest condolence to you all on the passing of Maas Dalphie he always had a smile on his face i will always remember that and his lively spirit. It is times like these that we need to be comforted and shown lots of love and i pray that God will give you the strength to get through this very difficilt time. To Deon and Dayne both of whom i know quite well be strong and know that your father was a wonderful man and that he loved you guys both so much and your mom the love of his life, embrace each other and cherish the memories forever in your hearts and now he is sleeping in the precious arms of our father .May God continue to watch over you all and protect you. (Nicky in Maryland, USA)

Ditty and family,
May God Bless comfort and strenghen you and your family today and always.
I know your loss is great.God Blesses and comforts those who mourn- your strength comes from the Lord.

Rest in Peace,Dolphie

Jenny Reynolds Nelson

My deepest sympathy to Ditty and family on the passing of Dolphie. May God give you strength and comfort at this sad time.

Erma - Canada

A SLIGHTLY EDITED (FOR LENGTH) VERSION OF THE EULOGY, DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE - SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010

Come sift with me through the sands of time; and pause for a while near the sun kissed beach of Frenchman Bay.

It was three decades ago when on that day stood three fishermen in the prime of their lives; and looming above a fourth man stood.

He was tall and strong with reach so long you had to know he was the leader of this clan.

Like a lignum vitae he seemed unmoved as they stood in the shadow of his giant shade.

Then there was a click and with a camera’s aid this moment was frozen and an icon was formed.

A few months passed then a cry was heard as the hungry sea claimed yet more prey.

And so in a blink the four became two, for Raymond and Bargie were gone too soon.

Then before long Maxie too was gone, claimed again by those relentless waves.

Now, Dalphi stood alone but firm, like that old gum tree, assailed by storms but refusing to bend.

But, in the end nature does win out and so thirty years on this giant is down.

To carry this metaphor a bit further though, consider what happens to the lignum vitae when it hits the ground.

Other trees will rot or quickly burn as fuel for a hasty meal, but this special wood lives on in various forms – as mortar and pestle, as cutting board and wash board too; or skillfully carved as uplifting art that take new life in galleries and in homes.

And in that sense we’ll each depart with a piece of memory that we hold dear, of this special one who touched our lives and lingers still.

We have to travel further back in time for my most special moment with this cousin of mine.

The sun was about to set that fateful day – 1975, the 24th of May. But for me it was a new dawn and he knew it well.

On his way home he got the news that this little cousin was on THE LIST.

Yes; that annual list of Common Entrance success, paving the way to move on to that special place in Potsdam Hill.

It was from the bible, at Mathew 5:14 that Munro College took its motto: “A city set on a hill cannot be hid.”

For us, the peasants on the plains, this bore more than symbolic import.

Back in those days as you looked to the mountain at nights, to the east and to west it was pitch dark.

But in the centre shimmering away were these huge lights beckoning us to dream of that day when some of us too could share that space with students of privilege from far and near.

It was a dream that Dalphi had held for many long years, and he could not hold back his obvious delight.

The gate was locked but he could not wait; so like an Olympic hurdler he scaled the fence.

He tossed me high then he settled under and like Big Bird Garner by the boundary’s edge, he caught me with his mighty hands, hugged me again, then set me down.

He knew very well what this meant. On those hallowed grounds up in the hills it mattered not from where you came, for it was not what you took with you but with what you left that would determine your place in life.

And though he never attended as a student himself he soon became the most familiar sight at every football match at the school.

And Dane, who had been born just one month before my ‘75 moment of joy, was soon enjoying the best seat in the house, perched on the broad shoulders of his dad who towered above the crowd.

And for me a seat was always reserved in his stretch-to-fit car; whether it was his green Hillman Hunter, then his blue Hillman Hunter, or later, his green Cortina.

He wore his small car like a skin so snug, for his huge frame challenged its every inch.

But let’s go back to his journey’s start. It was 1944 that his mother, Rosetta (my Aunt Jo) gave birth to yet another boy!

She might not have given it a moment’s thought but this was also the year internal self-government for Jamaica was born.

So he enjoyed our ups and mourned our downs as we traversed the years which matched his own.

His boyhood days in Lewis Town were idyllic and fun, from beach for a swim to New Savannah hill for mango and plum.

And in between those runs there were the chores, chasing after cows or else Father Bandy would come chasing after him!

School days were also fun but he did learn. And he took pleasure in pushing Teacher McLean’s car whenever it refused to start, which apparently was quite often!

And one year behind him in those school days there was a particular young lady whom he had begun to observe. But we’ll leave that for now and let them grow some more.

On the field of sport cricket was a major passion. And a more ferocious batsman could not be found for miles around.

This was the medium for social exchange between districts and villages and for lasting friendships formed.

He will long be remembered at Alpart for many things, not least his humour, which kept his workmates smiling from ear to ear.

But there were also some tense moments in which his strength and bravery came to the fore and saved the day… or night!

In the meantime, that young lady had blossomed into the woman of his dreams; so on December 22, 1973 he took the plunge and Mercedes Hamilton became his bride.

And for the next 37 years they were inseparable – except for when he was off to a football match… or a cricket match… or a boxing match!

But he had to share her with hundreds of students who, even in her retirement years, recall her fondly as their special teacher; the ever smiling, “Miss Ditty!”

I have already mentioned the birth of Dane in 1975; Dionne was to follow shortly after, in 1976. A more doting daddy you could not find.

And his joy was multiplied when in his declining years his first grandchild came into his life…
As I have said, his strength was part of his legend.

So, true to form, when illness came he refused to give in to the fading light without putting up a vigorous fight.

And so for weeks and months, like an aging boxer in the ring, just when you thought he could not throw another punch he would summon up enough for another round.

So, round after round they went, at different venues near and far; from home to Black River to several Kingston sites.

But, even seasoned and grizzled boxers must finally yield.

And so from that bed he testified that here was a warrior now ready to go and fight the good fight in another ring with the master trainer by his side.

So, let’s return to the metaphor of that lignum vitae tree, but extend it to a wondrous life cycle that it supports in these parts.

Every year, as if on cue, those dull gray caterpillar worms appear, crawling all over its solid trunk and limbs.

Then just when it seems they have reached the end; like a burst of light something new comes forth - a flaming yellow butterfly!

So think of him as that butterfly, and say farewell; but not goodbye.

Thank you Earl for such a touching tribute *tears*. It makes me want to live my life anew and be just like this giant called Dalphi. RIP my dear cousin; hope to see you in the world made new.

Earl you are awsome; what a wonderful writer. A beautiful eulogy for a gentle and kind-hearted man-Dolphie. We here at Treasure Beach are proud of you; a son of the soil!

sincere condolences to Ditty and family on the passing of Dolphie.Take comfort knowing that he is now in a better place.Cherish his memories and be strong.May his soul rest in peace.
From Jean Ward-Brown and Family

I am so sorry to hear that Mr Ebanks is no longer with us. I had the pleasure of meeting him and his lovely wife a few years ago and they have made a lasting impression on me and my family. I was so surprised and saddened when I heard the news on Sunday, I am so sorry I did not get to say goodbye to him here on earth

To Mrs Ebanks, and his entire family my sincere condolences, he was a indeed a good man and we will see him again in heaven