Thorald Dominic Jonas was the only grandparent I never met, never knew. Although I always felt a deep connection with him. He was born in 1903 and died in 1949 at the age of 46, six years before I was born. He was my mother’s father but was absent much of her life.

There is so much I want to know about the man – his dreams, his struggles, his fears. I know he had at least two families. I know he was a barber in Kingston Jamaica. I’m guessing that he was very good at his craft. But I also know he was an alcoholic.

My mom told me he was a proud man, a respected man, and a feared man. She would say people would call out Ya Jonas! when she walked down the street with him as a little girl. The alcohol was a problem and Jonas was abusive when he drank. Luckily for my mom, she was never on the receiving end of the abuse. Unfortunately she was a witness..

On August 16, 1949 Thorald Jonas was found dead in a bar on 45 Charles Street in Kingston. He died of tuberculosis, undoubtedly linked to his alcoholism.

No we never met, they say its so, but I know your struggle..