Former president of the Dominica Cricket Umpires Association (DCUA), Heston Charles, has described the late Forbes Charles as an outstanding umpire and one who was very dedicated to the cause.
Charles, a native of Marigot transitioned from this world earlier this week at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) after a battle with illness.
The former Domlec employee, who was 76, served on the local umpiring scene for many years and officiated at the local level as well as at the Windward Islands level.
According to Charles, the umpiring fraternity has lost a good individual.
“The cricket family has lost a soldier and a genuine and committed umpire. This man would not dodge and he would not shy away from any call to go out there to umpire. He would leave his farm. While he was involved in agriculture, yet still he was one of the most neatly dressed umpires. He was very organized. He was a dependable and reliable individual.
“This man was a great example of what is expected of an umpire. The Dominica Cricket Umpires Association has lost a great member. He will certainly be missed and remembered, according to Charles.
On a personal note, Charles said that Forbes Charles was very instrumental in his development as an umpire and that he enjoyed working with the late umpire.
“It was indeed a pleasure for me to work alongside him as a very young umpire. I remember in my early days seeking to become a qualified umpire, Forbes Charles was a great tutor to me. I can say that he exercised patience and understanding. He was always willing to share his knowledge with me.
“I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of the late Forbes Charles. Certainly, the cricketing family has lost a great man. We are sad. We share the pain and the grief and the sorrow of the family,” he said as he remembered his fallen colleague.
Earlier this week, Bernadette Burke, one of two qualified female umpires on the island was laid to rest after losing her battle to illness. The Bath Estate resident was 61 and was a regular fixture on the local circuit.