-Hundreds pay their last respects
TORONTO – There was an outpouring of grief and sadness at the East Scarborough Church of God in Toronto, Canada last Saturday as a packed congregation turned out to pay their last respects to the late Jerome Ezekiah Benons, a prominent member of the Guyanese community.

The late Jerome Benons

Popularly known to most as KB, Benons, who turned 70 on February 8, and was credited with being a stalwart in the Guyanese community here, died at the Scarborough General Hospital following a brief illness.
Among the several moving tributes was one paid by KB’s sister-in-law, Uranus Donald, who said he was part of her life from the time she was old enough to remember. “When I think about Benons,” she said, “two attributes surface in my mind.  I choose to share with you today, his generous nature and his youthful spirit.”
Donald described KB as a man who spent a lifetime giving, sharing, and never asking for anything in return.  “He not only believed in giving, he found joy in giving. During my childhood, when treats were far and few, I remember when he would visit, he would bring us chocolate, candies and whatever goodies. 
“In my adolescent years, it would be a ‘pocket-piece (small change)’. When he made trips back home, New Amsterdam came alive; things were bright; excitement was mounting. KB was home; life was good.”
Donald remembered that for the duration of KB’s stay, Charlotte Street was the busiest street in town. “There were gifts, food and fun.  Relatives and friends were all taken care of; no one was refused.  He would provide school clothes and supplies for needy kids.  He attained his happiness by giving.”
Despite being an older man, he never lost his youthful spirit and zest for life, Donald told the congregation.  “It was delightful to see him interact with the younger generation in our family.  There was no generation gap; the lines of communication were always open and lighthearted with their ‘Uncle Kenneth’.  It was as if they were his peers.  He was cheerful and very humorous, never one to hold a grudge.  The game of life was played his way, and to put it in his own words: ‘I’ve lived a good life, and if I had to live it over again, I’ll live it the same way.’”
Reading the eulogy, Derick Timmerman pointed out that KB was the only child of Ada Benons, but grew up with his grandparents in Mara, Berbice.  KB’s first work experience before  migrating to the United States in 1972was with Wrefords, a Department Store in New Amsterdam.  That very year, his childhood sweetheart, Berle Fields, also left Guyana for Canada.
Whilst in the USA, Benons was employed with Eastern Steam Ship Lines as a quarter-master, but soon joined Berle in Canada, where the two eventually got married.
KB was described as a man who had an appetite for adventure, a tremendous zest for life, and was like a father in the Guyanese community. “Always the perfect host, his home was usually the venue for many social gatherings.  He had a way of bringing people together. His generous, fun-loving nature endeared him to many friends of all ages. KB truly believed it was better to give than to receive. He was always willing to give his last to someone in need. He gave from his heart.”
A great supporter of charitable organizations, KB gave generously to the Children’s Orphanage in Guyana, Sick Kids Hospital and The Salvation Army, to name a few.
Among others paying tribute during the funeral service were KB’s son, Kevin Benons, and Sheridan Favorite.
A sterling and inspiring message was delivered by Pastor Joseph Persaud, while Benon’s remains were interred at Duffin Meadows Cemetery, in Pickering, Ontario.
KB leaves to mourn his wife, Berle, and his children (Kevin, Karen, Deslyn, Kindra, Jerome, Monette and JJ) among other relatives.