A father whose son's life was cut short found a lasting way to pay tribute to him this week on what would have been his 31st birthday.

Allan Robinson donated a memorial plaque to the H.M. Customs office at L.F. Wade International Airport where his son Darron Lightbourne worked — and made many friends — before his death in 2005.

The senior customs officer, of Pembroke, suffered a brain aneurysm aged just 27 while preparing to return to college to do a master's degree.

"He got sick, he was in hospital and four days later he passed," said Mr. Robinson, 54, of Warwick. He said his son was diagnosed with having extra blood vessels in his brain when he was six and the family were told he would not live past the age of 16.

"But he beat the odds and lived till he was 27," said Mr. Robinson. "He was a role model; he was a very nice guy."

Darron, a graduate of Talladega College, Alabama, got on so well with his colleagues that Mr. Robinson came up with the idea of a plaque featuring his son's picture to hang on the wall in their office. He presented it to Winifred Fostine-DeSilva, the Collector of Customs, on Wednesday.

"I'm just trying to keep his vibe and his ways alive," said Mr. Robinson. "I know they loved him very much and stuff like that.

"They spoke very well about him at his funeral. I wanted to show my gratitude and appreciation and I figured I would donate the plaque to them. Those that knew him well were very touched and excited about it."

A $5,000 annual scholarship fund in Darron's memory was established by his mother Laverne Lightbourne in 2005. Donations to it can be made through Marsden First United Methodist Church, PO Box HS12, Harrington Sound HSBX.