PEOPLE from both ends of the island, as well as the centre, converged on Elliott School in Devonshire on Saturday night, and filled its auditorium to overflowing, saying farewell to a grocer named William Pearman, better known as "Pro" Pearman.

If one hastened to deduce from that opening paragraph that "Pro" Pearman has gone on to the great beyond, they are dead wrong!

"Pro" is very much alive. He was feted and feasted in a most extraordinary, spontaneous outpouring of gratitude, the likes of which we can't recall having seen before. It was a community at large saying thanks for the incomparable service he rendered during the 43 years he owned and operated Belvin's Grocery on a corner of the Middle Road in Devonshire.

His former customers, mothers and men folk alike, thanked him profusely for being such an obliging neighbourhood grocer, particularly in a time of crisis when they needed food for their tables. He had no hesitation in extending them credit, trusting fully they would pay when they could. He even delivered groceries to homes after midnight on Saturdays for mothers who had no transportation, and others who phoned in at the last minute for something they realised they needed for the weekend.

Mr. Pearman trusted schoolchildren with goodies for their lunches, knowing full well their parents would come in later to pay. One tearful mother thanked him over and over for his considerations towards her. He was given two standing ovations, first after one man led the gathering in singing For He's A Jolly Good Fellow and, secondly, after he humbly voiced his appreciation for the farewell. But before that happened, Mr. Pearman called to the head table, his trusty shop assistant, Mrs. Wendy Trott, who had stood by him and the business through thick and thin, particularly during the three times he was hospitalised after suffering heart attacks.

"This is your retirement party also," he said, presenting her with a diamond-studded gold cross on a gold chain, along with a gilt-edged Bible. Wendy went to work at the grocery when she was just out of secondary school.

At age 73, "Pro" sold the business as of the end of February to a younger man. He has gone into retirement to indulge more fully in another of his passions, the cultivation of orchids at his home in Jubilee Road, Devonshire.

He suffered his third heart attack when Hurricane Fabian damaged his shop. His brother Raymond Pearman gave a graphic account of how they dodged downed wires and circumvented blocked roads to rush him to hospital. There was doubt whether he would survive the night.

As kind-hearted and generous a man as Mr. Pearman was, he had many trials and tribulations at the shop, including being robbed several times. One grateful mother said she was convinced that some of those robbers were wayward offspring from families he had helped when they were youngsters. Health Minister Patrice Minors, who represents the constituency where the grocery is situated, described Mr. Pearman as "one in a million for persons whey they hit a bad patch". He was aptly called "Pro", for his 43 years of living and giving.

Devonshire MP Michael Dunkley described him as a "really great Bermudian". Dunkley's own dairy business is situated across from the corner grocery. "I knew him as a customer, and a most valuable one at that, because he always paid cash," added Mr. Dunkley. He was a father figure to him, a wise counsellor, with whom he had many political discussions.

He had been robbed more times than all those present put together. Mr. Dunkley said he was sure many people would have "withdrawal symptoms" now that he had retired.

Another neighbourhood businessman, Kenneth (Sundown) Daniels, also commented on "the many slams" Mr. Pearman had taken over the years. A shining light had gone out with his retirement, he added, before rendering a version of the song I'll be Seeing You in all those Familiar Places. Others giving tributes in song included Edith Christopher Blyden and Howard Outerbridge.

Keith Lee, who rendered a selection on his saxophone, How Can I say Thanks, told how he continued to shop at "Pro's" even after he had moved out of the neighbourhood.

Robert Lee, another long-time customer, sang I Did It My Way. Another lifelong friend of the Pearman family, composed a poem, titled Saluting an Unsung Hero. Mrs. Ruby Woolridge, speaking from her heart, summed up the feelings of many when she described Mr. Pearman as a "God-chosen man because He knew someone would be needed to take care of single people, the indigent and others in the neighbourhood who needed someone to care for them. He was that chosen man. Although he did not have a biological family of his own those in attendance were his children."

He would let people charge groceries without stipulating a time for repayment. He just trusted people, and she feared "some of us still owe him money". Mrs. Woolridge thanked all for making the event a success, especially merchants who donated food that was home-cooked by various friends.

The MCs for the evening were Government Pilot Mario Thompson and Warwick Academy student Shawnae Brangman. Donovan Furbert was the able DJ. Mr. Pearman 's four siblings were on hand for the farewell. They were Raymond, Keith and Maureen Pearman and Ann Medley, who lives in New Jersey.