Thousands attend funeral of
former Jamaican PM Seaga
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) —
Thousands of Jamaicans turned
out Sunday for the funeral of
former Prime Minister, Edward
Seaga, who was the last
survivor of the generation of
politicians who led the country
to independence from Britain
in 1962.
After a multi-faith service
led by 13 religious leaders,
people walked to the National
Heroes Park for the burial,
which was accompanied by a
19-gun salute.
Seaga’s wife, Carla Vendryes,
laid a wreath along with
political leaders and military
officials.
Current Prime Minister,
Andrew Holness remembered
Seaga as a humble man and a
champion for the poor.
“He never lost sight of the
reason why he entered politics,
and that was to help the havenots
join the ranks of the
haves,’’ Holness said. ``We pay
tribute today to a conscious
leader, a statesman, a thinker,
a man of dignity and a man of
You are a father to
thousands in West
Kingston and across
Jamaica
indefatigable spirit and courage
of conviction.’’
Caribbean dignitaries were
joined by throngs of everyday
people who crowded behind a
chain-link fence trying to get
a look at the ceremony under
a blistering sun. Many wore
green, signifying their support
for the governing Jamaica
Labour Party. They cheered
and blew air horns as Holness
placed a wreath.
Sophia Beswick, who said
she worked seven years for
Seaga, called him a “great
former prime minister and a
great, lovely man.’’
Upton Eric Blake, a
Rastafarian, said he traveled to
the funeral to honor the legacy
of Seaga, who was Jamaica’s
fifth prime minister, holding
Former Jamaican Prime Minister, Edward Seaga.
Associated Press
the top post from 1980 until
1989.
“I’m bringing my family’s
blessings to Mr. Seaga’s family
as well,’’ Blake said.
Prior to entering politics,
Seaga was a major record
producer who operated the West
Indies Record Ltd. distribution
company and played a role in
introducing ska to the world.
At 29, he was appointed to
Jamaica’s upper legislative
house by Jamaica’s first
prime minister, Alexander
Bustamante, who had founded
the Jamaica Labour Party.
Local government minister
Desmond McKenzie said
Sunday that Seaga was
instrumental in creating social
programs.
“You are a father to
thousands in West Kingston
and across Jamaica,” McKenzie
said.
Seaga died in Florida on May
28, his 89th birthday. He is also
survived by children Andrew,
Annabella, Christopher and
Gabriella.
Caribbean L 16 ife, June 28–July 4, 2019 BQ