On Saturday, May 17 th, 2025, at 11:30 AM, over 200 people attended the Celebration and Thanksgiving service for the life of the founding president of the KCOBA (Toronto) Chapter, Dr. Frederick "Buddy" McIntosh, at the Glendale Funeral Home Chapel in Toronto, Canada. Among those present to support Buddy's widow, Alethia, and the McIntosh family were a strong contingent of members of the Toronto Chapter led by President Richard Housen, members of the Freemason Society, colleagues, and friends.
Pastoral Welcome
Reverend Peter Mikelic, PhD, welcomed the attendees and expressed his condolences to Alethia and the McIntosh family. He remarked on the full house, referring to the attendance, and indicated that the last time he had "a full house, his wife had a royal flush." This set the tone for the remainder of the proceedings as the focus was the celebration and thanksgiving for the life of the good doctor.
Eulogists
Maurice "Eddie" Patterson, a KCOBA Toronto Life Director, who has known Buddy for over 80 years, starting with their time at the Halfway Tree Elementary School, was first up. He recalled that at that young age, Buddy was rather mischievous to the point that the teacher, Miss. Graham warned him to "keep away from that boy." Of course, he" did not obey Miss Graham." Eddie then moved on to their time at Kingston College, where they "became good friends." At that point, they also lived in the same neighbourhood, about ten minutes away from each other.
He continued, mentioning that although Buddy "thought of himself as mischievous, in today's culture, he would be classified as hyperactive, and because of his behaviour, was referred to by the Headmaster, Bishop Gibson, as "that scatter-brained boy."
Eddie then recounted the following meeting between Buddy and Bishop Gibson after Buddy had graduated from medical school at the University of the West Indies:
"Can you imagine the pleasant surprise Bishop Gibson received when, in 1967, he visited KPH and was greeted by Dr. Frederick McIntosh, "the scatter-brained boy" who was now a medical doctor at the Kingston Public Hospital? Buddy said Bishop Gibson recognised him as "one of his boys" and shouted his name-McIntosh!--and then shook his hands vigorously! He was very impressed that the Bishop even remembered his name! But how could the Bishop forget him? He was used to seeing him almost daily! Buddy told us that story many times and mentioned how proud the moment was for both of them."
After sharing a few more anecdotes about Buddy's exploits, Eddie referenced Buddy's role in the founding of KCOBA (Toronto) with the following:
"Kingston College Old Boys Association (Toronto Chapter) can be considered Buddy's legacy. I will say it was his brainchild. Buddy was motivated to start the chapter because he believed that an organized group of KC old boys could make a significant contribution to the school in Jamaica. The Association has the enviable record of being the only foreign KCOBA chapter to attain 52 years of unbroken support to Kingston College."
He closed by extending his sympathy on behalf of himself and his wife Jean to Alethia, their children, Emile, Conrad, Tanya, and the family.
Donna Gayle, the younger sister of Buddy, then took her turn to eulogize her brother. After mentioning Buddy's qualifications as a physician and surgeon, and that he was the firstborn child to his parents, she moved on to his culinary skills, which she attributed to their grandmother.
Touching on Buddy's hyperactive nature, she pointed out that whether it was genetic or not it could not be helped as "he was born right in the heart of Kingston, where all the tram cars, buses and people who pushed carts in those days, selling their wares and a lot of people and other activities were going on."
She then recounted an event when Buddy was a baby and his mother was changing his diaper and briefly left him to attend to something else. The mother came back just in time to prevent his sisters, one with a pair of scissors and the other with a knife, from performing surgery on Buddy. They were upset with his constant wetting of his diaper!
Donna went on to mention that Buddy met his wife, Alethia, at UWI Hospital, where they both worked at the time. This was followed by recalling Buddy coming close to having his right arm amputated after falling down the stairs at his home as a toddler, and breaking the arm, leading to complications. He spent many months in the hospital as a result and ultimately became ambidextrous.
She closed by expressing her love for her brother and recited a poem titled 'After Glow'.
The Heritage Singers
The Heritage Singers, a group that was greatly supported by Buddy and included KCOB Winston Tinglin, then performed stirring renditions of the following:
- Redemption Song
- Slave Lament
- Hear oh Lord
Scripture Readings
- OT: Psalm 23: Joyanne McFarlane
· Epistle: Corinthians 13: 1- 8a: Yvette Sterling
Vocalist
Soprano Denise Williams performed an inspired version of the Lord's Prayer.
Pastoral Homily
After reminding the attendees that all were gathered to pay tribute to Buddy and acknowledge his accomplishments, as well as mourn his passing, Reverend Mikelic then explained that Buddy was not lost to those present, as "God made love to be stronger than death." He then went on to share a number of stories given to him by Alethia about Buddy helping others and saving lives. One such occasion involved Buddy driving on the highway 401 and noticing a lady in a car with something burning under it. Buddy managed to get the lady to stop, pulled her from the car, which exploded shortly after they were safely away.
The reverend continued with his theme around the impact of death and loss of a loved one. He closed with a prayer.
Congregational Hymn
Glory.
Reception
The afternoon ended with a reception in the lounge area to partake of refreshments and spend additional time with the family.