Master Teacher, James ‘Jim’ Vermillion Passes On…
Master Teacher, James ‘Jim’ Vermillion Passes On…
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved mathematics teacher, James Vermillion, who passed away on Friday, February 14, in Denver, Colorado, USA. Jim was recovering from emergency abdominal surgery.
‘Vermi,’ as he was affectionately known, was especially dear to the Class of 1973 and was honored at our 50th Anniversary in 2023. In fact, he attended all our reunions—the 25th (1998), 40th (2013), and 50th (2023).
Vermi taught O-Level, A-Level, and Additional Mathematics from 1972 to 1976. He was highly qualified, holding a BSc in Mathematics and Education from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of South Florida. After leaving St. George’s, he went on to earn a doctorate in Educational Research Methods/Statistics and a Master’s in Mathematics/Statistics.
At St. George’s College, we had many outstanding teachers, but Vermi stood out among them. He was clear in his instruction, deeply engaged with his students, and provided a unique perspective on the philosophy of mathematics. It was evident that he spent considerable time preparing for his classes. He emphasized understanding the fundamentals, presenting solutions logically and clearly, and practicing problems to achieve proficiency in the subject.
His classes were not just about mathematics. He frequently engaged students in discussions about politics, particularly during a time of significant turmoil in Jamaica’s political landscape. As we progressed through the syllabus, he introduced us to the philosophy of mathematics and its relationship to the physical world. In calculus, we gained insight into the thinking of Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz, while Cartesian Coordinate Geometry lessons often included discussions on René Descartes and his philosophy.
Vermi was a perfectionist. When he sensed that the class was not putting in sufficient effort, he did not hesitate to critique our approach. I recall one class entirely dedicated to pointing out our shortcomings in attitude, urging us to strive for excellence and accept nothing less.
There were many memorable moments in his classroom. On one occasion, a student astounded Vermi by beating him at calculating the square root of five-digit numbers using a TI-55 Texas Instruments calculator. The student determined the square root to four significant figures before Vermi could even finish entering the numbers. He was stunned!
On another occasion, after we completed the syllabus on Probability and Statistics—a challenging topic for many of us—Vermi paused at the end of class and declared, “The probability of any event in the universe happening is 1 in 2. Either it happens, or it doesn’t!” I pondered this statement for a long time.
In another instance, our strict headmaster, Fr. Feres, requested that Vermi cut his hair. Totally unfazed, Vermi turned up the next day in a tie and dress shirt but completely barefoot.
Vermi always expressed his fondness for the Class of 1973 and remained in touch with many of his former students. Professionally, he went on to work with USAID and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems until 2008, contributing his expertise in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
In 2023, at our 50th Anniversary, we had the pleasure of honoring Jim Vermillion. It was a joy to see him once again.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Janet, in 2000. He is survived by his son, Christopher; daughter-in-law, Victoria; and his toddler grandson, Cassius James. He will be cremated, and the date for the celebration of James Vermillion’s life will be announced.
He will be deeply missed but will remain vivid in our memories.
Rest in peace, Vermi.
Tribute from the St. George’s College Class of 1973
STGC Photography
AMDG
