12/29/2017
Recently another travel agent shared this sad story, but is one that gives us hope that there are still people in the world who care
I hope it's ok to post this. (If not, please delete). This gentleman was a guest this month at SRP. He posted his story on a Sandals consumer site and I thought all of you, as agents, would appreciate knowing the lengths the SRP staff went to to come to the aid of this man during an unexpected and tragic turn of events. Here is the copy: "I am overdue in telling you a story of love, support, and comfort. For those of you who don't know, my wife Kathy Barko, died while we were at SRP, on December 13th. While at the nurses station at Ochi. One moment she had her vitals taken, and asked the nurse if she could lay down on a bed there. Moments later we heard a gasp for air. The nurse, and Derrick, night manager of SRP, started CPR. A doctor came in and the 3 of them took turns giving Kathy CPR. Then a guest from Ochi, who I bet was a nurse, on vacation, came in and helped. An ambulance was called, with it arriving moments later. Kathy was place on a gurney, and taken to the ambulance, with people working on her. Derrick had me wait with him, because there was no room in the ambulance. I was taken back to SRP, were I was met my Judith, who a car waiting for me so I could go to the hospital. About 5 minutes later, Judith got a call to return to the resort. I was asked to go to Arnold's office. There was Arnold, the nurse, and the doctor. I knew then my Kathy was gone. Gone, in spite of all the heroic efforts of everyone. The nurse gave me Kathy’s ring, a beaded bracelet, she had made the Sunday before.
It was then that all the help, and support began with Arnold, explaining to me, that he had notified, the U.S. Embassy already, and had been it touch with a local funeral home for information on my options. Kathy and I had put in our will that we requested to be cremated. Arnold had told me that the resort had dealt with St. Michael’s in the past. I was so thankful to have that recommendation. After that Judith and I went to the hospital, to view Kathy’s body, and speak to the doctor. He told me Kathy, was D.O.A. I was so taken care by Nicky at St. Michael’s She worked overtime to cut through the red tape. I would also thank Simeon for going with me to Kathy’s autopsy in Spanishtown.
We returned to SRP, when another angel named Dacia game into my life. She looked at me, and told me how sorry she was for my Kathy’s passing. She asked if I had anything to eat, and I must of stuttered, because she sat me down at a table and gave me a Homer Bucket full of vegetable soup. She made sure I finished most of it.
It was then the love and support of other staff started, from my butlers, Marvin, and Oren, who left a card for me in my room one night. As I was sitting in the lobby next morning, I felt a big hug around my neck. I turned around, and there was sweet Olivia. She and Hector had been our butlers in May. She would always have a hot bubble bath, and an ice bucket with sparkling wine , when we would return from the beach or pool. How my Kathy loved that.
The love and support didn’t end there. The young lady from the gift store, who helped Kathy when she bought some beads Monday, came up to me. The painter, the young man, who set up the morning breakfast, I believe his name was Lawrence. Of course, Cleon, Donelle, and Adrian. There were so many, giving me their condolences, and offering their time if I needed to talk. I was being treated the same way, I would have wanted my Kathy treated if the roles were reversed. I was in the loving and caring arms of SRP staff .
There were two couples who cared and supported me at this time, Nicole and Rich Bosset, and also Shirley and her husband Michelle Trowell. First the Bossets. Turns out they live about a mile from my youngest son and daughter in law in Chicago. Nicole is also a daughter on Rockford, Illinois, just like my Kathy. (Side note: I don’t know why the color of the text changed, but I don’t want to lose the story, finding out why) I met Nicole outside my room, and she just came up to me and gave me big hug, and invited me to join her and Rich to dinner. I accepted later, and even got beaten, by Nicole at a game of checkers. We are now friends on Facebook.
Next my friends from the Canadian provision , that gets no respect, New Brunswick. We shared laughter, dinners, and a couple of lunches. They listened to my stories, and love of my Kathy. There were there for me They are salt of the earth people. Loving, caring, and fun couple. I remember leaving the resort, hugging them and waving good bye. As my driver went around the driveway, he stopped and opened my window, and said look. There they were waving, and wishing me well. It’s a picture, that will always in my heart.
I will also remember the words, and advise of Dacia, who comforted me with, Kathy was at a place she loved, she was not alone, she was with you, and she felt on pain. She went quickly .
My Kathy was only 57 years old, but she will , like the Christmas song, be sleeping in Heavenly Peace."
