SAYING GOODBYE! Members of the media fraternity turned out in their numbers to say their goodbyes to beloved photographer Christoff Sheldon Griffith, whose life was cut short last month. During a service of thanksgiving which was held at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, tributes were paid on the life of a young professional who impressed all whom he came into contact with his excellence and attitude towards the job and others.
Gone too soon
Gone too soon. Those were the words echoing throughout the many tributes yesterday afternoon as family, friends and the media fraternity turned out to say a fond farewell to beloved photographer Christoff Sheldon Griffith, whose life was cut short last month.
The service of thanksgiving for the life of the 25-year-old, who was described as respectful, driven, professional, level-headed and a “real gentleman”, saw scores of persons including Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Public Affairs, Senator Lucille Moe and President of the Democratic Labour Party, Verla De Peiza, gather at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium to pay their final respects.
In his tribute, Press Secretary to Prime Minister, Roy Morris, who was instrumental in Griffith getting into news photography when he was the editor at Barbados Today, said that when Griffith started his internship with the paper, he endeared himself to everyone and while “as quiet as he was tiny” he would grow in confidence, but never lost his humility, respectfulness or compassion.
“He did his job well and always left a good impression,” Morris said.
His comments came as he said that Griffith was “different” and was “not your typical news photographer” who lived for drama.
Morris added, “Of one thing I am sure, others in this profession may have contributed immensely to his skills as a news photographer, but the human qualities he exhibited daily, came with him into the profession, results of the lifelong work of Sonia and Chris.”
Delivering the eulogy, his father Christopher Griffith, reminiscing about the life of his first born, said the former Deighton Griffith Secondary School student loved drumming, which he started at an early age; video games and photography. He explained that his son picked up photography as a hobby in his teens and started his internship at Barbados Today when he was 18. However, adding that hobbies cannot pay bills nor can they be eaten, he said he tried to encourage his son to get a job at a supermarket to earn money, but he refused declaring, “Daddy, I don’t want to push no carts, I want to take pictures!”
The senior Griffith used the eulogy to liken his son to the tools of his trade, noting that he was a photographer with a sharp focus and an eye for capturing the perfect picture.
“Like some products of the camera, Christoff went through various stages of development. He too was developing and maturing as an individual, which was evident in the way he approached life... Apart from the blessings of God, I give thanks to many of you here today and elsewhere, for whatever role you played in nurturing, grooming and helping our Christoff to develop into the man he had become,” he stated.
Griffith went on to say that his eldest son was part of the “tripod” in their lives. Describing him as the “protective leg in the tripod” over his two siblings – Chad and Chaquon – always making sure than no one did them any harm.
“As we continue to reflect on Christoff’s life, let us move past the foggy lens that has sadden us today, towards the bright flash of light that would [be] forever stored in our memory card... Let us cherish the memories that he has left us, looking at the bright flashes of light that he brought to our lives,” he added.
Earlier in the tributes before the start of the service, President of the Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM), Emmanuel Joseph said that the death of Griffith, who he described as a calming soul, who was willing to listen and learn, has touched the media fraternity to the core. News Editor at the Nation, Antoinette Connell who fought back tears at one point, spoke of their mutual love for Batman and his respectful nature, noting that even though they would socialise outside of work, he never once allowed the lines to be blurred between work and play.
“He knew time and place and it is something I found refreshing as some way older than him, have never been able to grasp that distinction,” she said.
Griffith, while on the job on June 22, 2020 lost his life in an attack. He leaves to mourn his parents Christopher and Sonia Griffith; brothers Chad and Chaquon and many family and friends.
May he rest in peace. (JRT)