A. CAREER INTRO.

Bredrin : Greetings, Sir Maurice. Could we start with career matters? Please trace your professional career since you graduated from KC in the late 1960s?.

Lewis:

Professional Path

1973 to 1975 High School Teacher at Kingston College,

Taught Chemistry, Mathematics and some Physics. ?

1975 to 1979 Clarendon Processing Company, producers of Candied Peel and Fruits,

Held the post of Production Manager on the start-up of this company located in rural Jamaica.

1979 to 1994 Seprod Group of Companies, Jamaica,

Started as a Management Trainee,

Held the positions of Production Manager for Processing at Caribbean Product Ltd., followed by Plant Manager at Caribbean Product Ltd, then Jamaica Detergents.

Over 18 years' experience in Production Management.

1995 to 2013: Employed to the Scientific Research Council, Jamaica for 18 years as a Food Technologist.

This includes 8 years as Team Leader, in the Process Development Division, managing the operations of the Pilot Plant and offering Consultancy Services to the Food Processing Industry in Jamaica and other Caribbean Countries.

Acted as the Director of the Food Technology Institute for two years,

Retired in 2013

2013 to Present: Started Agro Processing Technologies, Jamaica

Consultancy Services to Agro Processors - Process development, process assessment, product development, general food processing consultancy and the training of staff in food processing, good manufacturing practices and food safety.

B. CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Bredrin: What were some of the matters you enjoyed most about your career, over the years?

Lewis:

a) The teaching of receptive students at KC.

b) Consultancy services to Food Processors in helping them improve their businesses.

c) Training of staff of Food Processors.

d) Exposure to technologies and facilities in countries such Malaysia, Philippines, India, Costa Rica and USA.

e)Training/ developmental courses attended .

Bredrin: Are there any other aspects of your extensive career you wish to emphasize?

Lewis:

a) Led Caribbean Products Co Ltd (Seprod Group) in one year in achieving the best ever edible fats production and second best edible oil production.

b) Received performance awards at the Scientific Research Council

c) I particularly enjoyed advising food processors and prospective processors

Bredrin: You took a degree from UWI in 1973. What was your area of specialization?

Lewis:

I graduated with a BSc degree in Chemistry with Applied Chemistry.

Bredrin: And how was this linked to your career that followed? Was your UWI degree important in setting you on your career path?

Lewis:

Certainly.

My degree:

a) Provided the knowledge to teach Chemistry to students at Kingston College; and

b) Provided the intellectual and knowledge base for industrial jobs in food production facilities.

Bredrin: Any postgraduate or other professional training you wish to mention?

Lewis:

I achieved a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies; and I have attended many professional courses in management and food safety.

Bredrin: I believe you've worked mainly in Jamaica. But have there been regional or international contacts and developments that have influenced your work significantly?

Lewis:

Yes. The professional visits to facilities in Malaysia, Philippines, India and Costa Rica provided invaluable exposure. Conferences in the US provided good professional knowledge.

I have provided training in food processing in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Bredrin: Would you recommend a scientific career to KC students or young Old Boys today?

Lewis:

Certainly. It provides the opportunity to impart knowledge to others while at the same time improves your own knowledge and know-how. It provides a vehicle to assist the productive industry and in turn the development of Jamaica.

For example, I have assisted many local processors in the filing of their products with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

There are also significant intangible benefits of visiting other countries.

In addition, there are many possible areas arising from pursuing a scientific path. Included are:

a) Teaching or lecturing and so contribute to the positive development of individuals and "the next generation";

b) Academic and scientific pursuit which provides an opportunity to add to new knowledge. This in turn can help to improve our various Industries;

c) Research and Development activities;

d) Consultative support for our Food and other Industries;

e) Production Management;

f) Quality Assurance and Quality Control in various industries;

g) Food Safety functions;

h) Engineering functions; and

i) Regulatory functions.

C. ACADEMIC TIME/PRE-KC

Bredrin: At KC, you were recognized as an extraordinarily strong all-round student. Could you note some of the main areas of academic, sporting and leadership that kept your interest at the College?

Lewis:

While academic activities were important, I think that my sporting accomplishments at KC were the more impactful. I was introduced to basketball at Physical Education in 3 ^rd Form (now Grade 9) by another past KC student, Freddie Green. I loved the game and developed my skills at KC. Other KC students and myself ran the basketball programme while at KC (with the support of our Sports Master). We helped to continue to build the game at KC, while in 6 ^th Form. The great tradition was started by the preceding KC cohort. We built a championship team and the spirit which has continued to today.

I was a House Leader while in the 6 ^th Form. Leadership traits were instilled in me during this time and grew in early adult time .

Bredrin:Some quick questions:

• What was your route into KC?
• Why did you opt to attend KC?
• How was your primary school experience linked to your steps at KC?
• n Were there others coming into KC from your primary school?
• n Any primary school teachers or influences you wish to note?
• Any notable challenges and pleasures before KC days?

Lewis:

I attended Vauxhall Primary School, then Rollington Town Primary for one year, before obtaining a "Common Entrance" pass to Kingston College in 1960.

I was involved with sports at Primary School

I lived in Browns Town, Kingston which was near to Kingston College.

I heard of Kingston College while at Primary School and knew that was the High School for me. Stratton Palmer also attended Rollington Town Primary and we went to KC in the same year.

My very good friend from then until now, Rev Barrington Soares, also attended KC at the time. We grew up in the same neighbourhood.

D. STUDENT LIFE AT KC

Bredrin: What were some of your main academic activities at KC and the factors that motivated you in this area?

Lewis:

I was in the "A" stream from 1 ^st through to 5 ^th form (Grade 7 to 11) but did not end up doing as well as I should have academically, may be spending too much time on basketball.

I however did well in Chemistry and Mathematics.

Bredrin: What are some of your main memories as a student at KC?

Lewis{

a) As a student I remember going through a period when KC dominated in most sports.

b) Being a part of the School's Magazine Committee in the 6 ^th Form.

c) Our Headmaster, Mr Douglas Forrest, used to have the student population practice our cheers before major competitions.

d) The KC Christmas Pageants were held at the National Stadium. These were wonderful events with the main organizer being Mr. Isaac Henry.

e) The memories and stories of our infamous Deputy Headmaster, J.A Crick, will always be remembered.

f) The Wednesday afternoon exposure to classical music by our Headmaster, Mr. Forrest, is memorable although it felt like torture at the time. I can now appreciate some classical music, such as the "Grand March".

g) End of Year Church Service in the Chapel. The only time that the student population outdid the School's Choir.

h) Finally, being hit by a discus while I was going to the pavillion, from the basketball court, for water. I ended up with a broken collar bone and severe pain for days. I do believe that God saved my life.

Bredrin: Where did the name "Shatts" come from? And when did it stick?

Lewis:

It's really "Shats". That came about in 5 ^th form and was at a time when my voice was changing. It was going through variations in pitch. Maybe it also resulted in nervousness when called upon to answer questions in class. The nickname "Shatters" stuck. Many students were given nicknames at KC, so one learnt to accept a nickname.

Since then, variations came about, like "Shats". I am also called "Shotters" or "Shots", maybe because of my involvement in basketball. I now have a good guess of who is calling me from which version I hear.

Bredrin: Were you one of the students who started out at Melbourne Park in Melbourne's early days? If so, are your Melbourne Park memories very different from North Street memories?

Lewis:

No. Melbourne was purchased by KC during my mid years at KC.

Our 5 ^th form, however, used to go to Melbourne for some Latin classes with our Deputy Headmaster, Mr. Crick.

Bredrin: At what stage in your time at KC did you identify your proposed career path? What steps did you take in this regard?

Lewis:

I don't think I decided on a career until at UWI. I believe I preferred a

science path but no specific career. The choice came in my final year at UWI when I studied Applied Chemistry. I loved this subject as it demonstrated the link between Chemistry and its practical use in the Food Industry.

Bredrin: Did some teachers have a special impact on you or on your classes on the whole? Are there any teachers who prompt memories?

Lewis:

I remember Maths teachers, Mr. Bramwell and Mr John Burrow (with his German Shephard dog that he took to some of our Maths classes).

Mr. Earle in Chemistry and Mr. Isaac-Henry in the 6 ^th Form.

Of course, Mr. Forrest, Headmaster, had a significant impact.

Bredrin: What were some of your favourite subjects at KC?

Lewis:Definitely Chemistry and Maths.

Bredrin: Who were some of your fellow students and friends coming through over the years?

Lewis:Barrington Soares has been a friend before attending KC up to the present. Other classmates like Kenneth Knibbs should be mentioned. Also scholars like Rory Chang, Robert Morais, Hopeton Jones and Patrick McIntosh. I may also note footballers like Neville Oxford, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, and fellow basketballers like Winston Harvey, Lowell Rodney, and Warren Chen Shui in latter years.

Bredrin: Any special memories of school administrators or school events?

Lewis:

Yes. I recall Mr Forrest walking the school plant and drilling us with French pronunciation when he found us idling.

There were many humorous stories concerning Mr. Crick, Deputy Headmaster. I'll mention one. Mr. Crick was teaching us Latin in his office. The passage in our text related to the Romans stepping over a wall. So, in translating, Mr. Crick said, with demonstration: "and the Romans Stepped Over the Wall". He then stepped right into his garbage bin. …Laugher all around.

The organizational skills of Mr. Isaac Henry, and the Christmas Pageant that he organized, also come to mind.

Prize Giving and Sports Day events were memorable too.

Bredrin: Were you in the upper school in the 1960s when KC celebrated its 40 ^th anniversary? Do you recall any special activities relating to that anniversary?

Lewis:

I don't remember any special celebration for the 40 ^th anniversary but I do remember the celebrations for the 50 ^th anniversary while I was a teacher at KC. I helped in organizing aspects of that celebration.

Bredrin: Were there any rules or practices from your time at KC which seemed unjustifiable to you then? Has your perspective changed over the years?

Lewis:I do not recall any. Mr. Forrest was not strict on us wearing the Afro hair style whilst it was neat.

Bredrin: Would you say that KC today is significantly different from KC in your time as a student? How so?

Lewis:

The nature of cheering. We had more structured cheering. Now it's more noise. One year some members of the school choir robed and came to the stadium to lead the cheering at Champs.

Generally, I still see similarities: we still have a strong school spirit. The cheering at Champs is still vigorous, and we still have nicknames.

E. BASKETBALL TIME

Bredrin: At KC, competition for places on most sports teams was fierce in your time, as it is today. How were you drawn to basketball? And were you always a sure pick?

Lewis:

I was introduced to basketball in 3 ^rd Form by Mr. Freddie Green. I got a broken collarbone after being hit by a discus in 4 ^th Form (mentioned above). This curtailed my basketball playing, until it picked up in 5 ^th form.

I was always on the KC team for the remaining 5 ^th to 6 ^th form schooldays. I was an integral part of the organizing of the school's basketball programme. We had championship teams.

Bredrin: How did KC perform in the basketball competitions in your time?

Lewis:

We did very well, winning most of the time. One year, we had two teams in the High School Competition and our B team was very competitive.

The cohort of basketballers, in the early 1960s, won the first High School competition, so we had them to emulate.

Bredrin: Who were some of the other stalwarts on your basketball teams? And the coaches?

Lewis:

Warren Chen Shui. He and myself were selected, while at school in the 6 ^th Form, to represent Jamaica on a tour of Florida in 1966. Other stalwarts included Hugh "Zulu" Ingram, Kenneth "Bus" Thomas, and Bobby Miller

We had to coach and manage our team ourselves, most of the time.

Bredrin: Did your KC experience in basketball extend in later years to club and national representation? What are some of your main memories of basketball (playing and representation) beyond the gates of KC?

Lewis:

Yes, it did.

We formed a club team, Kingston Celtics, which was a major team in the national basketball competition.

I went on to represent Jamaica from 1966 up to 1975. I was captain from 1973 to 1975.

I took part in the tour of Florida with the National Team in1966, and in visits for basketball series at the US Military Base in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Notably, our Club team beat a USA college team in 1975.

I coached the Under-19 Jamaican basketball team to Havana, Cuba, in 1975.

I coached many of KC's school teams in the 1st half of the 1970s. Many won KO and League High School competitions.

Some members of our KC team went on to be elected on the Executives of the Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association in our early adult life. We helped to build back the game in Jamaica.

One event that was particularly memorable was that of being an Honouree at the 2009 KCOBA, USA Chapter, Dinner in New York. It felt like receiving a National Award.

Bredrin: Did you take up any other sports at KC?

Lewis:

We played various sports in those days but not competitively - e.g., track and field on Sports Day. We also played some football and cricket.

Bredrin: Looking back at your time in basketball, what general thoughts about the impact of basketball in your life come most quickly to mind?

Lewis:

Learnt the value of teamwork.

Learned the value of responsibility.

Learnt management of an association.

Forged lifetime friendships.

F. THE KC TEACHER

Bredrin: Tell us a bit about your time as a teacher at KC. As one of the third formers in your exciting and skilfully executed Physics classes, I can attest to your quality teaching. How did you come to the KC teaching staff?

Lewis:

My education geared me for Industry but after leaving UWI there were no jobs at the time in the field, so I decided to try teaching .

I was employed to teach Chemistry and Mathematics, but ended up having to teach some physics also.

Bredrin: Was joining KC's staff always a part of your career plans?

Lewis:

No, as explained above, I thought I would try teaching and if I liked it then I would stay.

It turned out that I got a job offer, and accepted the job, as a Production Manager in a small Food Processing Plant in the rural area just before the restart of the School Year in September 1975.

I must say that teaching some receptive students/forms was quite fulfilling but others were difficult.

I have very good memories of teaching students like Stephen Vasciannie and Charlton Collie.

Bredrin: You were an ideal role model for many students.Did you return to your alma mater with special pride? Trepidation? Or both?

Lewis:

It was with pride that I came back to KC to teach, although for a limited time.

I also coached the KC basketball teams during this time and for many years after leaving KC. Some of our players from this time went on to represent Jamaica. Of note were: Dennis Thompson, Michael Strachan, Hamlin Pagon, Donald Turner.

One hallmark was the occasion of our KC championship team playing members of the famous singing group, The Jackson 5, in 1975.

Bredrin: How would you describe your teaching time at KC?

Lewis:

I must say that teaching some receptive students/forms was quite fulfilling, but with some others it proved difficult at times.

I willingly assisted students who needed help

Bredrin: When you left KC, where did you go to work and what did you do?

Lewis:

I left KC to work as a Production Manager in a small Fruit Processing Plant in a rural Part of Jamaica.

Interestingly, one of my Chemistry and Applied Chemistry Lecturers at UWI (Prof Magnus) visited the Plant while I was there. He was most surprised to see this "town boy" in this rural district managing the Factory. He related his experience to a number of persons.

(Bredrin Note: In the mid-1970s, there was a well-publicized photo in the Jamaican "Daily News" of KC's Mr. Lewis conducting a tour of the Fruit Processing Plant with high Government officials. Mr Lewis' students were excited about, and proud of, their teacher's national contribution).

Bredrin: Over the years - or perhaps now - have you had the chance to return to the classroom?

Lewis:

One aspect of my job at the Scientific Research Council involved conducting training courses for staff in the Food Industry. My teaching experience at KC served me well.

I liked delivering these training sessions and still continue to offer some training opportunities from time to time. The feedback has been very good.

G. FAMILY AND OTHER MATTERS

Bredrin: Do you wish to share information on your family life and other considerations that have influenced your development over the years?

(1) Are there identifiable ways in which KC has influenced you over the long term?

(2) Looking back, what would you say are your main life accomplishments?

(3) Any final observations for KC Old Boys or students now that the school is 100 years plus and rising?

Lewis:

I have been married for 45 years and have two children, a son and a daughter. I also have a stepson. I have three grandsons.

The periods of production and factory management enhanced my people management skills. Then I was managing adults rather than guiding students.

The period of work in the small rural factory sharpened my problem-solving skills and made me more resourceful. I then applied my scientific training.

The period of work at Seprod enhanced my management, industrial relations and technical skills.

My period of work at SRC was technically rewarding as I was learning more technical knowledge whist offering consultancy services.

The Seprod and SRC jobs enabled me to visit and be exposed to countries like Malaysia, Philippines, India, Costa Rica and USA. These visits were culturally and technically rewarding.

However, the teaching and coaching experience hold a special place. It is especially pleasing to have past students and basketball players greet you fondly throughout your life.

The KC, Fortis Spirit, is a special spirit which we need to continue to treasure and strengthen.

Maurice Lewis interviewed by Stephen Vasciannie in May 2026.