Wilbert Oswald Hemans, fondly known as “Bertie”, was born on January 8, 1937 in Blue Mountain District, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies. To parents David Henry Hemans, a successful farmer, and his wife Ida Beatrice Hemans, a homemaker. He was the beloved brother to his sister, Dolores Elizabeth “Dol” Hemans, whom he fiercely loved and protected.
He received his early education at Belfield Elementary School then attended Clarendon College. Upon graduation, he worked at Bauxite Mining Company, where he gained his first exposure to physics and chemistry. He migrated to the United States in 1963 where he attended Fordham University in New York while working at American Express. He then worked with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, where he participated in the development of the nozzle NASA used for their rocket ships. After Pfizer relocated, Bert transitioned to Technicon, which was later acquired by Bayer Corporation, where he was a research scientist.
In 1967, he married Hillary Alwyn Graham, his wife of 53 years, whose union produced three beloved children, Wayne St. John, Tonya Dorothea and Kimberlynn Nanaesi.
Upon retirement, he and Hillary relocated to Miramar, Florida where he resided until his death. He spent his retirement years as a surrogate father and grandfather figure to extended family and new friends whom now mourn the loss of their “Uncle Bert”.
A spiritual man, he would always start his day reading scripture and a devotional. He attended Christ the Rock Church in Cooper City.
Bertie loved life to the fullest. An avid sports enthusiast and a former athlete, Bertie loved tennis, bowling, fishing and soccer. He loved all genres of music and had an extensive collection of records.
Although we now mourn our loss, we can just imagine his joy being in the arms of our loving God and Savior and the host of angels. Sleep on now and take your rest Bertie. Continue to enjoy the heavenly music until we met again.
Bert is survived by his wife, Hillary Hemans, son Wayne Hemans and his wife Patricia, Tonya Hemans and Kimberlynn Hemans and her fiancé Marco Martinez; his sister, Dolores “Dol”; brother-in-law, Dr. Lascelve Graham, sister-in-law, Yvonne Graham, grandchildren Raymond, Rayvon, Adrian and Meghan; many cousins, other relatives and a host of friends, among them the Clarendon College brothers and sisters.
https://boxcast.tv/channel/wilbert-oswald-hemans-funeral-service-378587
www.pizzifuneralhome.com
Wayne, Tonya, & Kim, may the memories of your Father give you comfort and may his legacy live through you all..
Sharing in your sorrow with love.
Prayers of comfort and love. God’s blessings and strength be with you, Tonya, Ms Hilary/Herman family.
To everything there is a season, A time for purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Heartfelt sorrow for the passing of a dear friend Bertie my schoolmate. I spoke with him on Monday the 27th at around 11:am We had a good old school boys laugh about something he did in class one day I was sad and shocked when I heard that we had lost Bertie on Thursday July 30th. Our condolences to the family. Victor and Claudia Young.
Shobha and I are so glad that we kept in touch with Bert on a regular basis. He was a special person, his quick smile, sense of humor and positive attitude cheered up everyone who knew him.
I will forever, cherish many fond memories. Working and partying at Technicon, playing tennis in NJ, Jerk chicken in Bronx, Port wine at the castle, visiting family, staying in touch after NJ, birthday phone calls, meeting up in Florida and his visit to Minnesota.
My friend Bert – You will be sorely missed – Rest in Peace my man
Hillary, Wayne, Tonya, Kim and Dolores and family – our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Stay in touch and God Bless.
Love and Best Wishes Always
Santosh and Shobha
Dear Hillary ,Wayne ,Tonya,Kim,Dol grandchildren and the whole family.please accept my deepest condolences on behalf of the Keizs family on the loss of your beloved Bert.He would light up when asked about you and in talking about the many pursuits and accomplishments of his family and the tenacity and optimism of his wife Hillary as she managed her challenges.He was to the Keizs family a dear and devoted friend who always made time in the Bronx ,in Closter or in Miramar to visit ,play tennis ,attend tennis matches,watch the super bowl and hold maddening debates on the latest political developments.Right now he would be calling to opine,give commentary and ask questuins of the VP pick Kamala Harris.
All of these moments and more will be missed by family and friends .His impish chuckle will always be rememberd. May he rest in peace.
Elections are coming up. Uncle Bert and his sprat fish dish on the election night will be sorely missed!!
Uncle Bert sent me a story on November 25, 2018 and I have included an excerpt below which reminds me of Uncle Bert.
“Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories…So, don’t forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the sun.
…
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.”.
We will always remember Uncle Bert!
May his soul and the souls of the dearly departed Rest In Peace.
It was truly heartbreaking to receive the call that informed that Uncle Bert had gone home to be with the Lord. While I was sad it was also joyful because I know where he is. He is at home with our Father in heaven and that brings comfort and joy. Uncle Bert was always fun to be around especially his ability to look at you with a straight face while pulling your leg. I remember our sport debates and just always his laughter and the laughter of others while in his presence.
Uncle Bert will truly be missed but it is not goodbye but see you later. For those of us that are left behind let us insure that we I’ll see him again. The way the truth and the life is the only way to get there and His name is Jesus Christ. Uncle Bert knew him so I pray we all come to know Him as Uncle Bert did.
The world has lost a great and gentle man who also had the innate talent of bringing a smile to your face and, at times, a full-blown belly laugh!
You will be missed beyond words. Godspeed, Bert! ❤️
RIP Sir. PEACE TO YOUR FAMILY
I am the other Bert….reflecting on how I will cherish the sweet endearing memories when our young families shared Sunday dinners and had great fun times on so many special occasions with Grandma “Birdie”, ever smiling sweet Dol, loving Valerie….Our children forged a bond which time nor distance will not erase…who can forget your love for music with the family room lined with neatly aligned rows of LPs of many genres. I am recalling how you cared for your Buick Regal with such protective detail as washing your engine weekly…and of course you convinced me to get the Buick Skylark which I drove for 13 years. You were a steady guy…well grounded in what you do, how you do it and fiercely protective of who and what matters most to you. And so to Hillary, Wayne, Tonya, Kim and the others within your orbit of influence…you who knew and felt Bert’s passion, his laughter, devotion, love and commitment…may those imprints cushion these somber pulses of grief.
So glad Sir that we were a part of your journey…
Rest In Peace
Blessings to you my sweet friend, Kim, and to your whole family. May God grant you all comfort and peace during this difficult time. I can confidently say that your father was a wonderful man. I know this not by meeting him, because I never have. But I know this by meeting Tonya and knowing you as a friend, educator, and individual. No doubt that he (and your mom) was behind the lovely people that you are. I love you, my dear friend. Praying for you all
Dearest Kim,
Praying & thinking of you always. No matter the distance or time apart, You always remain in my heart. Sending condolences & prayers of Love & Peace to you, Tonya, your Mom, brother Wayne & your family. Although, I have not had the pleasure of meeting your Dad, it is clear he was an amazing Dad/Man & what an indelible mark, he’s made that lives within you & your family. May he Rest In Peace… Love you KimXOXO
Rest In Peace