In memorium: Alfred Barrett July 4, 1957 - March 13, 2012

[dbrook]

Very sad news. RIP Alfred

[ohliz]

I have some really good memories of times with Alfred, a ride from Negril to Kingston, an evening learning to cooking lobsters, many runs about town with friends during ekoostik hookah festivals. He was a great man, a great dad, an incredible representative of Jamaica to visitors and his loss will be felt by SO many. Just one post on Facebook has elicited many private messages and phone calls from people who only met him last year. I have only known him for 4 years, I can only imagine what the huge number of long-time clients and friends of his are going through.

Negril won't be the same with Alfred Barrett gone.

[Lola]

He was our first driver too...

[GiGi Angi]

Indescribable how sick I feel right now. Alfred IS Jamaica to me. He was the first person I met on my first trip to Negril in 2005. I was a female traveling alone my first time out of the US and Alfred took great care of me. He was like a big brother and made sure I was safe and that I got to see as much of Negril as possible. I’ve used his services every time I’ve been back since that first time and was looking forward to seeing him in May when I return to the island with my daughter on her first visit. Some of the best conversations I’ve had in Negril were with him (he thought I was waaaaaay too conservative) and I’ll never forget him trying to teach me to drive his car (before the van) and running me all around town looking for corn from the roadside vendors.

My trips to Negril just won’t be the same without that smiling face. Prayers and condolences to his family.

RIP Alfred. The “Good Girl from Chicago” is truly going to miss you.

[sammyb]

Very Sad. RIP Alfred.

Heartfelt sympathy to his family.

[*vi*]

Indeed a great loss.

RIP Alfred...prayers of strength to your beloved family.

[Maryann]

Sad news indeed. Condolences to the family. RIP, Alfred.

[murph]

Please share your memories of Alfred! He was such a great guy- I think all of us would love to hear that little story or small moment that you will always remember him for...

I'll get it started by saying that just 3 weeks ago he was SO EXCITED, I mean I havent seen him this excited in a while... about Peter Tosh Day. He spoke of how he works so hard for his family, but in doing so- he doesnt spend enough time with them... he was gleaming ear to ear when he told us that about the big feast he was going to prepare for his family. he was to kill a goat and a pig and have all of his family there to celebrate. He was so excited to be spending time with them...

miss you bredda

[ohliz]

In 2008 or so, he picked me up in Negril and took me to Kingston to visit a mutual friend. He drove carefully and slowly. As we chatted he mentioned that he was driving that way for me. I told him not to worry about me and drive as he liked...we FLEW to Kingston

We stopped along the way in Whitehall to pick up some lobsters because it was March 31, the day before they'd be illegal. Alfred helped me locate and choose and negotiate the price of those lobsters. On arrival in Kingston he stayed for dinner..and good thing because none of had a clue what to do with 6 live lobsters. He arranged the (killing) parboiliing and cutting in half, I grilled them with garlic butter, as I'd seen Lydie do at 3 Dives so many times. We enjoyed that meal so much.

I remember when his son was so badly off, in the hospital in Kingston, and our talks of how he was handling that.

A year or two later, when ekoostik hookah came to Negril for a week of shows with fans, I asked Alfred to be one of our "main" drivers. He took great care of everyone, even got out of bed for late night calls. Many of my friends from that group have called me today to express their sadness.

That's all I've got.

[brasi]

So sad, what a crazy world it can be...my thoughts and condolences go out to Alfred's family and friends. I did not know him but his business reputation alone says a lot about him.