George H. Groves

George H. Groves, son, brother, warrior, husband, father and entrepreneur. Father George was born in St. Ann, Jamaica, on May 10, 1923, to Phoebe Matilda Morris a homemaker and Roger Titchburn Groves (Busha) a planter. Father Groves was the fourth of five children and he and his siblings, Belle, Edna, Joyce and Reginald spent their youthful days on several different plantations in St. Ann and St. Mary, where their father Roger was the Busha or Headman.

In later years the family moved to Kingston, where he met Mavis Veronica Lindo (Bibsy). After a short courtship Father Groves enlisted in the British Royal Air Force because he had a strong conviction that Hitler and his band of Nazis had to be defeated, even if his own life had to be sacrificed. When World War II ended in 1945, Father Groves returned home to Jamaica and his sweetheart Bibsy and they tied the knot. Four children were born of this union, Margaret, Charles, Patrick and Donnamarie.

George initially obtained employment at the House of Issa in Kingston, Jamaica where he excelled in business management and was eventually promoted to a managerial position at Carissa Agencies, a subsidiary of the House of Issa. The experience that he gained at Carissa Agencies served him well when he decided to embark on his own business venture, Grover & Company, Manufacturers' Representatives and Commission Agents. That business proved to be a resounding success and later on he opened a restaurant and several tourist oriented gift shops at the foot of King Street where Victoria Pier and Victoria Craft's Market were located.

Subsequent to 1970, when his children migrated to the United States, to reside with Bibsy, Father Groves obtained a divorce and eventually married Gloria. This union produced two sons Jason and Justin.

There was a third marriage that was short lived.

Eventually, Father Groves reunited with his sister Joyce and they lived together and took care of each other until Joyce passed away in 2015.

George lived a full and rewarding life and faced his imminent death with courage and dignity.

Rest in peace Father Groves.