Son of the late Marie Louise Iola and Grenville DaCosta Cumberbatch
Adoring husband and best friend of Marcia Cumberbatch
Loving father of Akilah, Dr. Brian, Alexander and Jasmine Cumberbatch
Cherished brother of Addison Cumberbatch and Judith Mascoll
Uncle of Donna and Paula Mascoll
Great-uncle of Elijah Mascoll-Osbourne
Son-in-Law of Joyce and the late Ulric Thompson
Brother-in-law of Angela Cumberbatch, Martin, Kathleen, Marc, and Marvin Thompson
God-father of Dr. Raquelle Toppin and Rachel Berry
Relative of Jean Hoyte, the Davis and the Cumberbatch families
Friend of Ronald Toppin, Leslie Haynes, Peter Symmonds, The Hon. Justice William J. Chandler, Wayne Forde, Jack Husbands, The Hon. Justice Andrew Burgess, Anthony Gibbs, Marston Gibson, The Hon. Justice Malcolm Holdipp, Colvin Scantlebury, John Wallis, the late Philip Moseley II and many others
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of The Honorable Justice Jefferson O’Brien Cumberbatch takes place on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 1:30p.m. at St. Leonard’s Anglican Church, Westbury Road, St. Michael where relatives and friends are asked to meet followed by the interment in the churchyard.
The organist and members of the church choir are kindly asked to attend. Floral tributes may be sent to Keith Jones Funeral Home no later than 11:30a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Family and friends are invited to a visitation in the Chapel of Keith Jones Funeral Home from 4:30p.m. to 6:00p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
Live streaming of the funeral service can be viewed at: -
https://eternally-cherished.online/JusticeJeffersonCumberbatch
Condolences can be sent to keithjonesfunerals@caribsurf.com
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Keith Jones Funeral Home, Passage Road, St. Michael.
3 Comments
TRIBUTE FOR JUSTICE JEFFERSON “JEFF” CUMBERBATCH
On the evening of January 17, 2024, I received the very sad news that Justice Jefferson “Jeff” Cumberbatch “passed away”. Although I knew that he had some recent health issues, I did not think that they would have brought his transition to his new life.
Jeff and I go back to our student days in the mid 1970s at the UWI Cave Hill campus. We joined the teaching staff at Cave Hill around the same time and developed a very cordial relationship over the years. When I became President of WIGUT in the late 1980s, Jeff was my “go-to-person” on legal issues facing the union. He was very knowledgeable in labour law and has written an important article on legal issues facing university staff: “Managing the Academy: Aspects of the Law Relating to University Administration” (2000). Jeff was always willing to offer his advice in short order to his colleagues in WIGUT. As an economist with an interest in human resource matters, we often exchanged ideas on various labour matters. He was also a keen sportsman with an interest in cricket and lawn tennis.
When Jeff became Chairman of the Fair Trading Commission (FTC), I was his Deputy Chairman and our relationship deepened as we discussed a range of issues facing the FTC. He was very fair and objective in his analysis of and decision-making on the affairs of the FTC. His calm demeanour ensured that the proceedings of the Commission went very smoothly and without contention.
Jeff was well-known and respected for his public engagement on legal matters—both in the established media and the social media. I tried to get him, on several occasions, to publish his regular columns in a book form so that they can be available to a wider audience. Unfortunately, that suggestion was not taken up due to his very demanding schedule.
Jeff’s vast knowledge of various legal areas, erudite and understandable writing style, pleasant and cordial personality, and his ability to “cut to the chase” will surely be sorely missed by the legal fraternity and the general public. He certainly had a lot more to offer. We trust that he will be an asset in his new life. Farewell my colleague and friend.
Deepest condolences to his wife, Marcia, his children and other family members.
Andrew S Downes PhD
Emeritus Professor of Economics
The University of the West Indies
January 30, 2024
Sympathies to Justice Cumberbatch’s family , especially his wife and children. May God continue to give strengthen and comfort them during this time of loss. Humble and witty gentlemen. May we cherish his memories.
I wish to extend my condolences to Jeff’s family and friends on his passing. He had a magnetism and charm which drew you to him.
In deo fides. Rest in peace Jeff.