Western Jamaica to Pay Tribute to Sir Howard

Thousands of Jamaicans in the western end of the island are expected to pay tribute to late former Governor-General, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke, at several activities being planned to honour the distinguished son of St. James.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lloyd B. Smith, who chairs the committee spearheading the events, tells JIS News that Sir Howard’s body will lie-in-state at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square on August 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This will be followed by an all-night vigil at the Farm Heights United Church, which Sir Howard founded, and which also serves as a resource centre.

“We, in the west, outside of what is happening at the national level, feel that we should do our best to commemorate his memory in dignity and fine style. We are going to the church ground and there will be an all-night vigil, where everyone can come and interact in the cultural style of a Jamaican nine-night,” Mr. Smith stated.

He said that other activities are scheduled to take place after the state funeral on August 8.

“There are a number of plans that we are looking at as a committee; a memorial service on August 31, distribution of his book ‘From the Cane Piece to Gordon House’. We are looking at putting the book in most school libraries in St. James. A businessman has offered to undertake that exercise of purchasing and distribution of the book,” he told JIS News.

Mr. Smith, who is also Member of Parliament for Central St. James, said Sir Howard was an excellent educator. “I am an example of that. He taught me, and was my headmaster at the then Montego Bay Boys’ School, now Corinaldi Primary,” he informed.

He said that the late former Governor-General also made contribution to sports while he was President of the St. James Cricket Association, and to the development of culture.

Mr. Smith said St. James is “mourning a man of God”, and “we will give due honour to a son, who…tried to unite Jamaicans around a common cause of development for all”.

“He was a fine example of a statesman, a family man, and a person, who has given so much to this country, in so many different areas,” he added.

For his part, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Glendon Harris, said that Sir Howard was able to use community organisations to reach the neediest in the society, and through education, was able “to better his life, and the lives of his fellow Jamaicans.”

Mayor Harris urged residents to come out to all the activities planned and to show their respect.  “Let us say farewell to a great man, in a fitting form,” he said.

Sir Howard served as Governor-General of Jamaica from 1991-2006. He was an elected member of the West Indies Federal Parliament in 1958, and a member of the first Parliament of Independent Jamaica in 1962. He was also Member of Parliament in St. James for several years.

The State Funeral will take place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1 George Headley Drive, Kingston on Friday, August 8, commencing at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the National Heroes Park.