Joe Issa Expresses Condolences on Passing of Scholar and Educator Lady Ivy Cooke
Businessman Joe Issa, a former tourism practitioner in Montego Bay, the home of former Governor General of Jamaica Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke, has expressed condolences at the recent passing of Lady Ivy Cooke. She was 100 years old.
Widow of Sir Howard, who died in 2014 at the age of 98 years, Lady Ivy Cooke is said to have passed away at the Andrew’s Memorial Hospital in St Andrew. The union is believed to have produced three children – Justice Howard Cooke Jr, Richard and Audrey.
“From what I know of Lady Cooke, she was a very bright student and a committed educator, who spent the rest of her life in the classroom teaching,” said Issa, executive chairman of Cool Group of companies, noting, “That’s awesome service to people and country.”
Issa, who continues to give towards the education of underprivileged Jamaican children through his Cool Charities subsidiary, said Lady Ivy Cooke is owed a debt of gratitude for her dedication to teaching.
Both Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his predecessor Portia Simpson Miller, who reportedly made the first announcement, have hailed Lady Cooke for her contribution to education in Jamaica.
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Ruel Reid, who has also paid tribute to Lady Ivy Cooke, said “the former Ivy Tai graduated with honours from Bethlehem Teachers College in the early 1930s and went on to spend 43 years teaching.
“She was also the first person from Jamaica to study child development at the Institute of Education, London University, in the United Kingdom”.
The Education Minister said Lady Cooke and Sir Howard, who was also an Education Minister, “spent their early years as educators in the small community of Bell Castle, Portland, where they earned the respect of students and the wider community alike,” according to newspaper reports.
He said “this was as much for their giftedness as teachers as well as for their humility and community involvement.”
“Lady Cooke lived a life of exemplary service and commitment to the people of Jamaica,” Reid is quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Simpson Miller said, “Prior to being thrust onto the public stage, Lady Cooke had already made a name for herself as an outstanding scholar who later developed into a superb educator, and one who was dedicated not only to the task of enlightening young minds, but also to tending to their welfare.”
Joe Issa’s Love for Quality Socialization: His Best Characteristic
It has become generally accepted that nothing is constant except change. And for Mr. Sociable Joe Issa, the changes are lavish, such as the quality of the people he meets and the events he attends, from welcome and farewell parties, to all the in-betweens like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, awards, launches, dinners, cultural, heritage and music festivals.
“You name it and Joey (pet name for Joe Issa) is in the forefront of the social scene, either as host or guest,” says a colleague of his, adding, “In fact, my friends and I believe that most of the time he is out socializing, he is the one hosting; he has a sense of occasion and a passion for entertaining, and needs no excuse to do so.”
By his own admission, birthdays and weddings are Joey’s favourite occasions, especially as he has had a blessed life since birth and an even better one since his marriage.
“When you’ve had a blessed life like I’ve been fortunate to have, birthdays are important; it’s an occasion to respect and to treasure the life it has brought you. As for weddings, it’s such an overwhelming occasion … that’s why so many people cry their hearts out … birth and marriage are really sacred; that’s why I like birthdays and wedding anniversaries above all occasions,” says Joey, a Catholic Eucharistic Minister.
Then a youth with big eye glasses, a sign of the time and working at his father’s SuperClubs chain of resorts, Joey is said to recall with much nostalgia, Pope John Paul 11 visiting his family in Barbican and singing happy birthday to his sister Zein.
Similarly, but only older and is Executive Chairman of his Cool Group of companies, Joey recalls with even more melancholy, walking down the aisle with his bride Asha, as Jimmy Cliff sang his favourite, heart-rending song “Many Rivers to Cross”. The occasion was said to have been a washed with tears as many guests wept involuntarily.
Joey is also said to have several other fond memories of nights out, such as a reception hosted by HE French Ambassador Pierre-Antoine Berniard and his simply elegant wife Luisa Berniard; and hosting former British Prime Minister John Major and his wife, who were in Jamaica to celebrate his birthday.
The inaugural appearance in Jamaica of American singer and songwriter, Jimmy Buffet, at the opening of Margaritaville Restaurant and Bar in the Island Village Shopping and Entertainment Centre in Ocho Rios was also a remarkable occasion.
Joey is also said to recall fondly, hosting three honeymoon couples at the Grand Lido Negril resort. The couples Kris and Debbie Bergstrom, William and Sandra Tavares-Finson and Mark and Wendy Lalor were married on the same day and spent their honeymoon there. The resort was Jamaica’s newest all-inclusive and it was Joey who had turned it into a paradise for honeymooners.
And as Resident Manager of Grand Lido Negril, Joey has also been captured in his usual relax mood, striking up a tune for guests in the Piano Bar while Helen Leyden, Grand Lido’s classical pianist assisted.
OF FAMILIES, BIRTHDAYS, AND LOVE
In addition to record temperatures, and a downpour of mosquitoes, the city has been buzzing this week.
Congrats to Joey and Asha. Tatler saw the rock, thank God I was wearing my Gucci shades……
Rebecca Brandt blew her candles out to the strains of the 50/50 Band at the Jamaica Pegasus and Boscobel did their first anniversary thing, in the most breath-taking setting. A great time was had by all. Jeff McKitty needs to take a bow as well as well as Valrie Fearon from the Grounds Department of Beaches Boscobel. She displayed excellent customer service, as unlike her seniors, who pointed with total nonchalance, she took time to take guests to where they needed to go. Congrats again, Valerie.
Looking spectacular were Louis Grant of Sandals Dunn’s River and his gorgeous wife, Debra.
The gorgeous, one Allen Michael Chastenet, now a very proud dad, with plans by the way to have many more, (little Raquels and Allens) is returning to his native Saint Lucia, to manage the family’s 20 room boutique style Villa Creole. We’ll miss the class and sophistication, but at least he’s not too far from the Rock.
Out-going Canadian High Commissioner John Robinson, is part of that formidable group of diplomats who came to Jamaica, and has so endeared himself that we really need to make him an honorary Jamaican. Thalia and Mike Lyn hosted what has got to be the most formidable party of the year last week Thursday for John. Let’s just say the book can now be written on choosing the right mix of guests.
A bientot!
PS. Congrats to Jean Wilson on her latest publication No more ‘Smalling Up’ of Me.
Source: The Observer
Jimmy Buffet at official opening of Margaritaville Ocho Rios
American singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffet, made his inaugural appearance in Jamaica last week and he did not disappoint. Nearly 2,000 people, including scores of die-hard fans, some of whom flew in from overseas, came out to see the legendary musician. His was the main act at the opening of Margaritaville Restaurant and Bar in the Island Village Shopping and Entertainment Centre in Ocho Rios. Read More…
Social
Well Daahlings and Dearioos, people are still absolutely talking about the swelleganza of a reception that HE French Ambassador Pierre-Antoine Berniard and his simply elegant wife Luisa Berniard hosted on the absolutely wonderful grounds, that house the Hillcrest Avenue Estate, that is home to the French Embassy here in Kingston. Read More…
Honeymooners in the Piacere – Joey Issa plays host
Photo caption:HONEYMOONERS IN THE PIACERE: Grand Lido’s resident manager, Joey Issa (seated in the centre), hosting three honeymoon couples in the nouvelle cuisine restaurant at the resort. The couples from left are: Kris and Debbie Bergstrom; William and Sandra Tavares-Finson and Mark and Wendy Lalor. The couples were married on the same day, July 7, and spent their honeymoon in Negril at Jamaica’s newest all-inclusive resort, Grand Lido.
hotel, scam, lawsuit, cool, fraud, ponzi scheme, vacation, crime, olint, david smith, Jamaica, investigation, beach, money laundering
Welcome to SuperClubs- Joey Issa Welcomes Two Beauties
Photo Caption: Welcome to SuperClubs: (left to right) Joey Issa, Vice President of SuperClubs, welcomes Annie Palmer, last year’s Miss Jamaica contestant to the Caribbean Queen Pageant, and Opal Palmer, The Weekly Star’s Hot Shot winner. Neville Hudson, General Manager of Breezes Montego Bay was host to the beauties.
hotel, scam, lawsuit, cool, fraud, ponzi scheme, vacation, crime, olint, david smith, Jamaica, investigation, beach, money laundering
Resident Manager Plays Piano
Photo Caption: Resident Manager Plays Piano: Grand lido’s Resident Manager, Joey Issa (seated left), strikes up a tune for guests in the Piano Bar. Mr. Issa is accompanied by Helen Leyden (seated right), Grand Lido’s classical pianist. Standing from left to right are Paula Thompson, Social Director and Jacqueline Whyte, Grand Lido’s singing Cocktail Waitress.
hotel, scam, lawsuit, cool, fraud, ponzi scheme, vacation, crime, olint, david smith, Jamaica, investigation, beach, money laundering
Recent Comments