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'Iggy' goes fishing!

Published:Friday | June 11, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Woodrow Patterson gives one of his trademark jokes to Andrea Rodriquez at his farewell party.
British Airways' Diane Corrie (left) gives her kudos to Woodrow 'Iggy' Patterson as well as to Karen French, Patterson's successor as the airline's airport manager for Kingston and Montego Bay.
Always the doting wife, Gloria Patterson (left) helps hubby Woodrow put on his fishing hat at his farewell party held by British Airways at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday. Looking on is staff member Geraldine Bennett.
Going fishing! After 38 years of service to British Airways, Woodrow Patterson is retiring, and with the fishing pole, hat and tackle box, we're guessing some aquatic adventures are in store. Patterson was lauded at a farewell party at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance
Deputy British High Commissioner Graham Glover (left) listens keenly to British Airways' Diane Corrie and Earl Richards.
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They all came to celebrate with 'Iggy'. The quirky nickname refers to Woodrow Patterson, retiring airport manager, Kingston and Montego Bay for British Airways (BA). After serving the airline for 38 years, Patterson decided it was time to move on. He joined BA in 1972 when it was still British Overseas Airways Corporation.

But after the sterling service he has given, no one can begrudge him for taking it easy now. All who spoke at his farewell at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Tuesday, lauded his commitment to the airline. Whether it was during riots or hurricanes, Patterson always found a way to get to work, even famously using a canoe to paddle from Port Henderson across the harbour during the 1999 gas riots!

He can probably use the boat to go fishing as he was decked out with fishing gear (hat included) to enjoy his retirement. Co-worker Diane Corrie chronicled his tenure beginning with his post as a reservations agent. She revealed another name for him, Mr Cool, and called him a gentleman and mentor. Others, including Ian Blackman, BA's Latin America customer service vice-president, lauded Patterson's character, calling him a "world class human being".

Patterson thanked the many staff and partners of BA and had a special mention for wife Gloria whom he called his rock. Despite the pleas for no corny jokes, Patterson couldn't help himself, dropping some of his usual ones which had some guests cracking up from the first line. They had heard some of them before but, like a real comedian, Iggy still had them laughing.