Jonathan Garvin Anthony Steele - Heart of Steel, Mind of Steel, Soul of Steel - the only child of Linda and Godfrey Steele, was born on Thursday 8 January, 1987, at the St Clair Medical Centre, and was brought back there on Friday November 30, 2001, when he collapsed during a lunch-time "sweat" game of rugby at his school, Queen's Royal College. Just after mid-day, Jonathan succumbed to Acute Cardiac Failure caused by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), which had never shown up in his 14 year life since it is not easily detected and there had been no prior warnings of which his parents had been aware. In retrospect, they remark that as recently as June, on a trip to England, Jonathan swam daily, mornings and evenings, in an Olympic size pool in Bedford for a week, without any problems.
When his parents who both work on the St Augustine Campus received the 11.45 a.m. call that their only child had collapsed on the field of play, Linda's first thought was of a concussion and that "he would get out of that man" although his favourite teacher Mrs Skinner did tell them on the cell-phone that they were still trying to resuscitate Jonathan, who had only that morning refused an extra $10 bill, insisting that the money in his pocket was enough for his taxi fares and food, telling his mother "Miss Paul (of the school cafeteria) will sell me a "complete" (meal) for $8.00." Jonathan took "real food to school everyday but with workmen tiling the house I didn't cook that morning" says Linda "so I told him okay and waved goodbye as he left with his father to get a taxi at Five Rivers Junction" never for one moment thinking that this would be her last conversation with her beloved, only child.
Jonathan's parents were a childless couple for the first six years of their 21 year marriage, and because his entry into this world was not an easy one Linda blessed his coming in his name which means "Gift from God." And said his godfather, Harold Alleyne "as he grew she quickly realised that her gift was a very special soul which gave love unconditionally - in his smile, his wit and infectious laughter. Jonathan jumped into anything and everything from swimming and soccer at pre, primary and secondary schools to his love of music, especially his playing of the steelpan. Jonathan had another special duty in this life, which was to expose his father to the wonder of a truly open soul, unfettered and complete in his joy of life. In his son he saw, a compassion and temperance that a busy world can so easily erode."
Jonathan's passing, said his godfather "was as engaging as his coming, no simple goodbye in some nondescript place, but in QRC, the lap of his full life while trying a new game almost two weeks after taking part in the PanTrinbago School's Junior Festival in the preliminary round, and up to the last, still comforting those around him "don't worry it will be okay."
I myself met Jonathan in April 2000 during the National Secretaries Association's Millennium Secretary of The Year exercise of which his mother, Linda was chairman. Barely into his teens, it was Jonathan with his wide and knowing smile who was sure that he would find the right music on his computer for me to enter the ballroom as a contestant in the competition. What struck me was the fact that this 'only child' had plenty of love and affection from his mother but no spoiling. Jonathan did what was expected of those who had siblings and it would seem more, after hearing the many tributes at his funeral last Wednesday at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where as his brother-scouts bore his body out of the church to the strains of the Scout Band playing the College Intercol chant, there were only wet eyes for someone who had truly only been lent to us for a brief time.
Jonathan had attended Sharon's Pre-School, UWI Pre-School and UWI School, before entering Trinty College, having refused his parents suggestion that he go to a secondary school in the east as they lived at Tacarigua and worked on the St Augustine Campus. After just three days, Jonathan got his heart's desire and transferred to QRC, his father's alma mater not for that reason says Linda but "because all the important people went there so he is going there" , and comfortably travelled on his own to and from College.
He loved sports and participated in swimming, winning several awards, and was a member of first the La Joya Hammerheads swim team and then Havelange Sharks. At primary school he was a cub scout, a tenor pan player, footballer and gymnast, and always took part in these activities mainly for the fun more than anything else. At QRC, he was a member of the scouts, tried out for Under 14 football, played table tennis and had become interested in rugby in recent weeks. the sport with which it now seems his heart just was not able to cope.
A tenor pan player, Jonathan was taught by Nervin Saunders of the Eastern School of Music in Arouca and completed theory and practise examinations. He was keen on music and often spoke of becoming a music engineer. The school's tribute took the form of a pan solo by Avionne Edwards.
Part of the College's counselling for Jonathan's peers of Class 3R included the preparation of the "Remembrance and an Ode To Jonathan." Classmates Justin Blugh, Ric Roopan, Eskor Johnson, Kareem Ditzen and Keston Gomez were chosen as readers. Form 3R remembered "Jonathan's nickname was "Sleepy", a name that most children would dislike, but he adapted well to the new name and explained that Sleepy was another name for dreamy eyes. He even used "Sleepy" to name his computer files and to create an e-mail address."
Earlier this year Jonathan, a member of the Tunapuna Methodist Church, was confirmed in that faith, and continued to be a member of the Sunday School, where according to Sister Carol Mills "Jonathan asked many questions arguing his point once he felt he was right" questioning her explanations of the words of the Bible, at times.
As young as he was, Jonathan had a strong sense of justice and fair play and once took his punishment willingly at college for protesting when accused of doing something that he did not do. His most recent display of standing up for fairness came during end of term exams. Jonathan felt it wasn't fair to be given the same exam as the other classes when his form had been without a teacher for a large part of the term. Despite attempts by his parents to get him to study for the exam, a determined Jonathan chose to read the telephone directory claiming that a great deal of information could be learnt from the directory.
His QRC 3R Classmates referred to him as "friend, exemplar, mascot, leader, exuberant, music lover and so much more... Jonathan was a friend to everyone...He was a friend whom we loved; But now he is home with the Father above; His Kindness, caring, we will never forget; His time with us we will never regret; He was our friend till the end,"