Death of Mr. Daniel Edgar Sharples

DEATH OF MR. D. E. SHARPLES - COLONY’S LEADING SCHOOLMASTER – END OF A USEFUL CAREER.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. Daniel Edgar Sharples, head master of St. Thomas Scots School, Georgetown, which occurred at his residence at lot 40 Parade Street, Kingston at about 10 o’clock last night. Death was due to heart failure, after a few hours illness, Mr. Sharples although not in the best of health, attended his school yesterday but was taken ill during the afternoon.
On his return home, he sat as usual in the gallery until about 7:30 PM when a call from his servant got no response. It was then discovered that he was seriously ill and unconscious. Dr. Wharton was summoned and on arrival held out no hope of his recovery. Death ensued at about 10:00 PM
Mr. Sharples, who was known to several generations in the colony as “the Boss”, was the most successful primary school master in the colony. Born in the colony about 71 years ago he was educated at Bishop’s College where he had a brilliant career. He was appointed master at St. Swithin’s school in the early eighties and 45 years ago (in 1876) he took charge of St. Thomas School where he has served until death.
“Dan” Sharples as he was familiarly known was a man of very strong principals and a kind heart. He was a big figure among the primary school masters of the colony and has built up for St. Thomas school the highest reputation among the primary schools of this colony.

A LOVE FOR TEACHING
He had an innate love for teaching, the art of which was highly exemplified by his method of instruction. Scores of persons in all walks of life in the colony owe their success to the valuable foundation laid at St. Thomas under the tuition of Mr. Sharples. Scholars of St. Thomas School have won the majority of Primary Scholarships year after year and many of them have continued their careers into the higher branches of Education. Several ex-pupils of St. Thomas have won the Guiana Scholarship and now adorn the various professions in the colony. Others, occupy positions in the Civil Service, mercantile life and other positions of credit and distinction. All these bear living testimony to the splendid public service of an able teacher who was truly devoted to his life’s work.
Mr. Sharples was of a very retiring disposition, so much so that he declined to avail himself of an opportunity to go to England to qualify in any profession he desired. He loved to teach and gave up his life in the noble service. His loss will create a great void in the public school life of the colony. He was an Elder of St. Thomas Church and a staunch churchman.
Mr. Sharples leaves two brothers Messrs. J. B. and “Henry” Sharples, several nephews and nieces to mourn his loss.
The funeral will take place at 4 o’clock this afternoon.

ATTENDANCE
Among those in attendance were the Revs. Dr. D. P. Talbot, and M. A. Cosson, Drs. F. G. Rose, Joshua S. Nedd and Loris Rohan Sharples, the Hons. P. N. Browne, KC. and E. G. Woolford KC., Messrs. H. W. Sconce, E. R. D. Moulder, J. D. Lawrence, H. A. Matthews, J. B. Woolford, W. G. Smellie, T. Hiscocks, J. J. Valladores, McLean Ogle, J. S. Johnson, R. Dimey, E. A. W. Sampson, Samuel Edgar Wills, Hubert De Lohme Durant, L. R. Chase, Stephen Arminius Robertson, E. Millington, E. E. S. Blackman, W. A. Osborn, C. Medas, Samuel Augustus Campbell, F. E. Pollard, J. Owen, A. E. Collins, George W. Lawrence, J. Cannings, D. Jackson, E. A. F. Weeks, C. A. Joseph, A. E. Barker, William Arno, A. E. Small, D. Maskell, Jacob Alexander Nicholson, E. Bentham, S. Persico, C. Campbell, E. A. Campbell, J. B. Sharples, Jr., J. A. M. Osborn, H. L. Franck, C. L. Collins, J. S. Denny, S. St. Clair, Roman, S. H. Parkinson, Frank Wight, H. Cyril Lord, Gustavus Nelson Lord, S. T. Conway, H. H. Jones, R. L. Bentham, J. E. Forde, Gerald Cossou, J. E. Tafaras, W. J. Raatgever, T. G. Wrigglesworth, R. A. Savory, T. B. Henderson, E. G. D. Hinds, F. A. Cummings, E. A. Hackett, R. L. Edwards, W. Harrison, K. H. Cregan, C. H. Harewood, E. C. Johnson, A. R. Hunte, O. A. Richardson, C. S. Percival, P. C. Cox, J. L. Ewing-Chow, G. A. Brown, W. October, S. D. Morrison, R. L. Douglas, E. Elcock, F. O. Richards, C. A. Cregan, R. E., & C. K. Franker, F. O. Richards, J. N. Cox, J. L. Ramsay, J. W. Ogle, Charles Thomas Holder, C. V. Lewis, S. Headley, A. McLean and Sampson Nathaniel Collins.
Source: the Death of Mr. Daniel Edgar Sharples - The Daily Argosy – Tuesday, November 22, 1921: page 6.