The historical village of English Harbour is synonymous with many things, chief among them is Nelson’s Dockyard.

Whenever you hear the surnames Marsh, Clarke, Weste, Scott, Scotland, Southwell, Benjamin and others, you know that their roots lie deep in English Harbour. And yes, even the late Magistrate Carden Conliffe Clarke was a “Harbour Man.”

So did former Commissioner of Police, Edric Potter, who I just learned has passed away. Mr. Potter was a man who was loved and respected by all.

He was a remarkable human being. He filled every room he walked into with so much life.

I have known Mr. Potter since my early years of growing up in English Harbour. He had such a great sense of humour. Not only did he always have us in stitches with his mischievous anecdotes, he would be reduced to tears as he often laughed at his own funny stories.

Like all the great conversationalists, many of Mr. Potter’s stories had a great shelf life. He retold some of them so many times over the past 40 years or so, yet their punchlines never lost their sting.

Mr Potter was the kind of friend who stood by his friends in good times and bad. He was genuine, generous and kind.

Whether he met me on the street or in the bank, there was always that warm smile and embrace along with the greeting, “you bwoy for Kitty,” as my mom was called.

Time spent around Mr Potter was intellectually stimulating and a nourishment to the soul.

The same values and virtues he lived by as a friend and a family man governed his professional dealings and his career as a policeman – values that made him a positive role model to many people.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to his dear wife and his wider family and to the officers and members of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

You have done your bit Mr Edric Potter. A grateful nation and people would forever be thankful to you for your service.