It became customary to hear the calm, steady and reassuring voice of Norman Scott leading KCOBA USA Inc’s board meetings into prayer. This set the tone for many productive meetings. Reading the prayer below is enough to conjure his voice in my head and I am sure it is the same for my fellow board members.
Fortis Prayer
By Brian Morrison
Father, we come to you solemnly in prayer for guidance.
Lead us dear Lord and Savior, to a higher level of understanding and Discipline.
Perpetually open our hearts to your teachings.
Give us faith to believe in what we can accomplish and wisdom when pondering each difficult task.
Bless our deliberations and inspire hope, knowing our work shall not be in vain.
Bless each of us present as well as those absent.
Remove all tension within and amongst us dear Lord.
So that charity -God’s greatest gift will abound in our hearts, and in our souls.
Forever Fortis
Norman was introduced to the KCOBA USA Inc NY chapter around 1986 by Errol Lecky. Mr. Scott became a director by 1988. The re-established Association was still in its infancy and feeling its way around as to how best to structure itself to better serve Kingston College in Jamaica. Norman in turn recruited Kingsley Mitchell into the fold about 1988.
At that time, the Association faced significant challenges due to its lack of proper tax-exempt status, which hindered its ability to attract charitable donations. Scotty worked closely with Kingsley, Errol Lecky, and attorney Ray McKenzie to secure the necessary exemption status for KCOBA NY. After a three-year probationary period, KCOBA NY was granted full tax-exempt status in 1994. This accomplishment revitalized the Association and empowered it to become an indispensable supporter of the school, providing invaluable resources during critical times.
Norman also played an instrumental role in putting comprehensive Bylaws in place for the association to foster transparency, accountability and general good governance.
Although small in stature Norman has always stood tall in integrity, honesty and dedication, working quietly behind the scenes for the good of Kingston College and for his fellowman. He consistently hit above his weight. He has performed acts of kindness and charity to some of the more vulnerable among us without seeking praise or fame or reward for his good deeds. He was a dedicated and loyal member of the Kingston College Old Boys Association in New York, working tirelessly to maintain the high ideals of his alma mater.
Scotty exemplified dedication as a KCOBA NY board member, consistently attending every meeting. Norman remained a director until his passing on his 86th birthday, October 18, 2024. He served in that capacity for 36 years, making him the longest-tenured director in the history of the New York chapter. His 38 years as a member of the Association are also unmatched. During that stint he served as secretary from 2004-2009. In the role of director, Scotty provided guidance and wise counsel to several of the Association’s presidents; namely Winston Stewart, Everton Carless, Michael Bromfield, Robert Kelly, Perry Bloomfield and Dwayne Montaque. In May 2012 under the new and charismatic President, ‘Perry’ Bloomfield, Mr. Scott was presented with the President’s Award for his dedication and tireless service to the KCOBA USA Inc.
Leighton Hollar, one of Norman’s very close friends recalls,
“I met Norman Scott when I became a member of Kingston College Old Boys Association in 1996. We soon became fast friends and travelled to most Alumni Association Functions within New York City, Mount Vernon, Hartford, Connecticut and Canada. We always travelled in his Volvo, Me driving and Norman as navigator.”
Norman Scott’s altruism was not reserved for KC only. This man had the energy and dedication to be involved with other aspects of community life. He shared a lot of his time within the congregations of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. He became a member of the Men on a Mission Club and was eventually elected President of the Club. It was through this linkage that Norman was able to secure St. Luke’s as the meeting place for the Association’s meetings. This continued right up until about 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic warranted virtual instead of in-person gatherings. Over the years Mr. Scott continued to give service within the Church where it was needed even as he remained an integral part of the KC Old Boys Association New York Chapter. He truly believed in sharing his time, talent and treasure for the well-being of mankind.
Norman was ill for a very long time, but you could not tell. He never complained of pain or spoke of his illness except to those closest to him. Norman always saw the positive; I believe Norman, so deep in his church’s beliefs and activities must have placed all his woes in God’s hands.
He leaves a vacuum. We will miss him! However, as Fortis, we will continue the work in honor of his memory.
And so, we of the KCOBA USA Inc., say a fond goodbye to our friend and colleague Norman Scott, the only way we know; “Fortis Cadere Cedere Non Potest”
Winston Henry, Secretary.
KCOBA USA Inc.