By Petulia Clarke, Staff ReporterA JAM-PACKED Grace Missionary Church and churchyard was testament yesterday to the hundreds of lives that were touched by the works of former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Neville St. Elmo Clarke.
Members of the legal profession, Kingston College (KC) Old Boys, family and numerous friends paid last respects to the late Justice who was remembered through hours of tributes, musical renditions, prayer and dance.
Justice Clarke was hailed as a man who was intellectually curious, God-fearing, family-oriented and bright.
Tributes from his son Dr. Nigel Clarke, friend Churchill Neita, the Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Grace Missionary Church, the Jamaica Theological Seminary, the Norman Manley Law School and the Jamaican Bar Association centred around Justice Clarke's passion for the law and his insistence at maintaining his integrity throughout his life.
Dr. Clarke remembered his father having "a sound theoretical appreciation for problem solving", one who "treasured, celebrated and took great pride in achievement of any kind."
LIFE WAS A GAME
"For him life was a game, a series of challenges governed by a set of unchanging principles," Dr. Clarke said. "He was passionate about the law, maintained progressive values and was fearless."
Mr. Neita, who spoke for the KC Old Boys' Association, said that Justice Clarke was conscientious, fair and learned.
Others remembered his devotion to the law, his courage and his humility.
"He was a devoted father and keen family man who was always guided by his religious principles," Information Minister Burchell Whiteman read for the Prime Minister.
"We are inspired by his faith and his determination as he demonstrated to us the sufficiency of belief in the will of the Lord," Hilary Phillips said for the Bar Association.
IN HIS PRIME
In his sermon, Reverend Dr. Sam Green explained that though Justice Clarke had been taken away in his prime - he was 63 - he had expressed that he had no fear for his future.
"During that trying time (of illness) I raised some questions (to God) myself," Rev. Green said. "It was not easy but he (Justice Clarke) declared "Pastor I have absolutely no fear. My hand is in the hand of the father, I'm prepared to meet Him."
Justice Clarke succumbed to cancer on July 20. He is survived by wife, Mary, sons Dale, Trevor and Nigel, and daughter Tanya. He was a student at KC and became a Resident Magistrate in 1978 until he was appointed to act as Puisine Judge in 1986. He was confirmed in that position in 1988. He was an elder at the Grace Missionary Church, a member of the Board of Governors of the Jamaica Theological Seminary and the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology. He was also an associate tutor at the Norman Manley Law School.
