RAMSAYLloyd Williams, Senior Associate Editor
FLAGS OF mourning are limp with grief within the legal fraternity and indeed in the wider society for Ian McDonald Ramsay, O.J., Q.C., one of Jamaica's finest lawyers, who died yesterday morning at the age of 72 years.
Mr. Ramsay, who was stricken with cancer of the pancreas, died at home with his closest family members at his bedside, a family friend told The Gleaner.
Tributes poured in yesterday on the news of his death and at the Corporate Area RM Court, Half-Way Tree, tribute was paid to him in at least one courtroom, as well as at Gordon House during the sitting of the Senate.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Q.C., said he was deeply saddened by Mr. Ramsay's passing.
"There is no one in the legal fraternity or in any other sphere of society in Jamaica or the wider Caribbean, who has met, worked with or faced Ian Ramsay in the courtroom, who would argue with the view that he was a 'lawyer's lawyer'", Mr. Patterson said.
He went on: "Always impeccably attired, well prepared and armed with an almost incomparable knowledge of the law, biting sarcasm, disarming wit and supreme command of the English language, Ian Ramsay became a legendary advocate of the law".
Opposition Leader, Edward Seaga, said that it was with "much sadness" that he learnt of the passing.
"Ian Ramsay was a most valued member of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), a pre-eminent lawyer of his generation. The quintessential advocate, Mr. Ramsay was a former KSAC councillor and Senator. He was quite eloquent, had an open style and pleaded his cases with much passion."
On behalf of the officers and members of the JLP, Mr. Seaga conveyed "sincere condolence" to Mr. Ramsay's family and friends.
Before he became ill, Mr. Ramsay headed the legal team which represented the Jamaica Constabulary Force before the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry.
Although his professional career was in criminal law, he gave public service in other areas. He was assistant general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party in 1960, was elected a Kingston and St. Andrew Corpora-tion councillor in that year, was chairman of the Jamaica Broad-
casting Corporation (JBC) at one time, of the Jamaica Broadcasting Authority from 1972 to 1973 and served as a Senator from 1974 to 1976.
