In his strict school principal's office after a misdemeanour, young Matthew Clarke was facing lines, detention or even the dreaded cane.

But just like so many other people whose lives were touched by Mr. Clarke, that teacher was charmed by his cheery smile and love for life — and the schoolboy walked away scot-free.

Culture Minister Dale Butler, one of a long list of people paying tribute at Mr. Clarke's funeral at St. Paul's AME Church yesterday, recalled the incident from his days as the victim's principal at St. George's Secondary School.

Mr. Butler brought laughs from the congregation by revealing how the youngster had used a clever distraction tactic to avoid getting told off.

"At the time I had a reputation for being a very stern disciplinarian," Mr. Butler told the congregation. "Students knew that when they came in to see me, often it meant trouble.

"Matthew would change focus from his misdemeanour and we would end up talking about his uncle Charles Michael Clarke."

On one visit to Mr. Butler's office, Matthew took a copy of a book the principal had written himself.

"Before I knew it, he was out of the door without getting lines, detention or the dreaded cane," chuckled Mr. Butler.

He added: "I was glad that God blessed us with an angel. He had so much charm. His presence blessed us all."

Such sentiments echoed repeatedly throughout yesterday's service as family members and friends paid tribute after tribute.

Older brother Michael Clarke read an obituary in which he told how as a boy Matthew would do back flips off the family's 15-foot porch, land on the grass, and then get up and laugh.

Mr. Clarke said more recently his brother had thrown much of his time into helping his mother run her store in Southampton.

In his last conversation with his mother, he had told her everything was under control and that she didn't have to race back.

"Matthew had an unwavering code that he lived by, that family and friendship were the most important things," said Mr. Clarke.

"He never bought into the idea that a college degree or a salary was how you measured success."

This poem written by his mother Sharmila Gonsalves was read by Anita Spencer, who would have been his mother-in-law next year:

"He was a child with the qualities of an angel,

"His face and spirit extended love, friendliness, happiness and joy.

"He loved life and people and wherever he went, he left his footprints and touched many hearts.

"With the loss of my baby boy my life will never be the same."

Cousin Keisha Clarke performed a liturgical dance, while another cousin Desta Wilson sang Amazing Grace.

Mr. Wilson credited Mr. Clarke with launching his musical career on the international stage.

Neighbour and schoolfriend Kim Bowen said: "It's like your heart didn't belong to you. You always gave it to everyone else."

People were also handed photographs of Mr. Clarke bearing some of his own words, which they could take away as a permanent reminder of his upbeat nature.

"Know yourself and enjoy your everyday," it read.

"Life is a gift, cherish it, learn to express love and you'll have a more meaningful time on mother earth ... be blessed, liberate yourself."