Howard Felix Hanlan Cooke has ended his earthly sojourn to enter the heavenly realm.
There are only a very select few who have managed in their lifetime to change the course of our history and served to define so clearly the essence of a patriotic mission.
He was a brilliant student whose pedagogic skills made him one of our most successful teachers and a luminary in the field of education.
Howard Cooke was the youngest member of that Progressive group entrusted to draft the Constitution of the People’s National Party. His political eminence is beyond question.
The final curtain call has now been answered by the last surviving Federal Member from Jamaica to the West Indian Parliament.
For 15 years, Sir Howard discharged the constitutional responsibilities of Governor General with such exemplary skill, that additional functions were entrusted to him by bi-partisan agreement and national consent
The nation has lost one of its most devoted sons. His legacy will stand forever as a monument to his work and a fountain of inspiration for generations to come.
Personally, I have lost a mentor and a colleague and one who was more than a close friend. Love and duty require that we must summon the strength and the will to give Lady Cooke and the entire family whatever they may need to cope in their bereavement.
May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine on him.