Senate Pays Tribute To Late Arthur Ziadie

The Senate, on Friday (June 3), paid tribute to late former member, Herbert Arthur ‘Turo’ Ziadie, during its sitting at Gordon House.

Mr. Ziadie, who served in the Upper House from 1983 to 1989, passed away on June 2 at age 87.

Government and Opposition members, at the invitation of Senate President, Senator the Hon. Tom Tavares-Finson, paid their respects by observing a minute’s silence.

Mr. Ziadie chaired the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and was a company director and executive of Desnoes and Geddes Limited, and served in other entities.

He was an avid and prolific golfer who represented Jamaica in the sport. He later transitioned to administration, which saw him serving as President of the Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) and Caribbean Golf Association (CGA), among other engagements.

Mr. Ziadie was awarded the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer in 2018 for distinguished and faithful service to Jamaica in sport.

Senator Tavares-Finson, recalled Mr. Ziadie as an “affable person, committed to promoting equality and justice.”

“We appreciate his service to Jamaica and express our deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace, and light perpetual shine upon him,” he added.

Senator Tavares-Finson asked the Clerk to the Houses of Parliament to prepare the necessary notation indicating to Mr. Ziadie’s widow, children, and other family members “that this Honourable Senate recognised his contribution to the Senate and the country.”

Leader of Government Business and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, who also expressed condolences, noted that Mr. Ziadie was remembered by many as having a personality that was “larger than life.”

“[I] join in your expression that sympathies be conveyed to his widow and to his surviving family [and] pray for their comfort,” she added.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in a trbute on June 2, said that “Jamaica has lost a true nation builder and, I join his family, friends and loved ones in mourning his passing.”

“Turo Ziadie was committed to the democratic process and the development of Jamaica at large. Turo Ziadie was a long-standing member of the Jamaica Labour Party who offered his services generously without hesitation,” Mr. Holness said.