Today, as we gather to pay our respects to our brother and friend, Frederick Franklyn Foote, I extend condolences on behalf of the Kingston College Old Boys' Association and the entire Fortis family to his family, loved ones, and all who now mourn his passing. The Fortis family has lost another of its stalwarts, and while we grieve, we also give thanks for a life richly lived and generously shared.

Frederick's Fortis journey began in September 1969, when he transferred from the Mannings School in Westmoreland to the Kingston College Extension School to improve his GCE O' Level examination passes. He was successful in matriculating to the KC Sixth Form the following year. Frederick was already a young man of ability, but in his three years at Kingston College, he became something more. He became a KC man - deeply, irreversibly Fortis. Frederick himself would often say that it was those years at KC, steeped in the Fortis tradition, that gave him the grounding and spirit to pursue success in life.

What made Frederick special was that he never forgot to give back. He was loyal not only to Kingston College but also to his first alma mater, Mannings High. He was proud to call both schools his own, and he found ways to build bridges between them. One story, often recalled with a smile, was how he arranged for the Mannings Quiz Team to sharpen their skills by training with the mighty KC team. It was typical Frederick - never small-minded, never narrow in his outlook, always ready to share opportunities so that others might benefit.

The same spirit was at work when he used his KC connections to help the Mannings Track and Field programme secure gear. He was, at heart, a giver. Jovial, frank, and generous, Frederick carried with him a disarming honesty and a warmth of spirit that drew people in. You could count on him for a hearty laugh, a straightforward word, and the kind of generosity that made you feel valued and uplifted.

As a KC Old Boy, Frederick lived out the motto: Fortis cadere cedere non potest - The brave may fall but never yield. He was a proud flag bearer of the purple and white, always attributing his later achievements to the strength, discipline, and brotherhood he absorbed at KC. He became one of those Old Boys who embodied the best of what our school seeks to produce: men who remember where they come from, who honour their mentors, and who help others climb.

So today, I stand as a KC Old Boy to say thank you, Footie. Thank you for your friendship, your generosity, your laughter, and your loyalty. Thank you for showing us how to live with gratitude and to serve with open hands. The KC Old Boy fraternity is proud and privileged to call you one of ours. We extend our deepest condolences to your family and friends, and we will hold your memory close.

The giant now rests, but his legacy endures. Farewell, Frederick Franklyn Foote - our friend, our brother. Thank you for persevering, no matter… You are Fortis, and as you know, Fortis is forever!

Fortis cadere cedere non potest.

Patrick Dallas
September 6, 2025

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