Patrick “Roach” Samuels’ widow writes open letter to the media

Patrick was a great family man. He spoke highly of his mother and how much she meant to him. He told me how she was a mother and a father to him. He would give his mother presents on father’s day to make her laugh. He loved her so much. He was great brother to his one and only sister. He always mentioned how close they were. He also talked about his brothers, one that passed on before him and the ones that are living.

He was an awesome dad! He took care of his children well and I admired him for that. Despite his busy schedule, he always found quality time to spend with his children. Friday nights, him and the kids would be at Pizza Hut or KFC, playing and laughing like a normal family. On Saturday’s, he would be at the salon with his girls and on a Sunday’s, he would be at the mineral with them. His family meant the world to him. Patrick raised his children to be strong, loving, independent individuals.

Patrick was a very hard working person. He worked so hard he would forget to eat. We’d be talking and he would say, “mi feel bad”. I would ask him “hun, when was the last time you had something to eat?” he could not remember because it had been that long. He was an honest man and always spoke the truth regardless of the consequences. I respected him for that. We never had a quarrel. He would tell it to me like it is and then we would discuss it like a normal couple and come to a compromise.

My husband was a mentor to young talents trying to rise. Even if he did not put them on a particular riddim, he would guide them, show them the ropes, flow with them to test their skills and then he would offer advice and guide them on how to master their skills. I can remember not too long ago, my husband and I were having a conversation when someone called him and said they had a young artist they wanted him to listening to. We stopped what we were doing and started listening to the artist. When the artist was done, Patrick starting battling with the artist and when they were done, he complimented the artist on his strengths and offered advice on what he needed to work on. Everywhere we went young artists approached him for advice. He would give them all the same attention. He had a passion for helping.

Patrick was a giver. One of my fondest memories of my husband was when he took me to his hometown where he grew up in Kingston, in the south. As we drove through, he talked about his past. He said to me “babe, this is where I grew up and these are my people. I can never forget where I came from. Even though I live uptown, my heart is here. They are good people.“ Then he would stop in the heart of the community and started talking to the people. As we sat there, people would come up to the car and ask him for money. He gave every single one of them what he had and when he had no more cash on him he would search his car for change. One time, when he ran out of change, he said to a fellow “wait, tell me what is it that you wanted.” The gentlemen turned to him and said “he wanted something to eat.” Patrick said to the guy “go in that store right there and tell the owner I said to give you whatever you want.” Patrick shouted to the owner and asked him “how much was the bill”, went to find an atm machine and got the cash. These acts of kindness showed me how much love Patrick had for the people.

Patrick always made himself available to me. I remember going to the gym with my personal trainer. My trainer started smiling and said “your husband just called me, he really cares a lot about you!” That day I got the work out of my life. When I spoke with Patrick later that day, he said “me just promise her an extra ting to push you hard!” My husband could be very humorous at times. Patrick loved to talk and so did I. Since the death of my husband, I have been lost and filled with so many different emotions. Together we were a team, the dynamic duo, two extra ordinary people working together to build a solid foundation for our families.