By Robert Hart, Staff Reporter
Jamaica Defence Force soldiers march from the Holy Trinity Cathedral yesterday with the flag-draped casket containing the body of Hugh Lawson Shearer, former Prime Minister of Jamaica. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
FORMER PRIME Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer was yesterday laid to rest after a near four-hour state funeral marked by numerous tributes and pomp and pageantry befitting his memory.
Mr. Shearer, the nation's third head of government since Independence, was buried at National Heroes Park, central Kingston, next to his predecessor in the Jamaica Labour Party, Prime Minister Donald Sangster, and across from former Prime Minister Michael Manley, his life-long friend, and trade union and political rival.
Mr. Shearer, 81, who died on July 5, after a long illness, was remembered by a large gathering at the funeral at the Roman Catholic, Holy Trinity Cathedral, North Street, central Kingston. Those in attendance included members of the top echelons of both the Government and Opposition, representatives of the trade union movement (of which he was defining force), and members of the private sector. Hundreds of spectators outside the cathedral witnessed the scarlet, white-and-green-clad soldiers of the Jamaica Defence Force, accompanied by scores of officials, and business and civic leaders, march with Mr. Shearer's body to National Heroes Park for the burial.
Most of the tributes focused on Mr. Shearer's public life as a politician and trade unionist. However, William 'Bill' Clarke, Scotia Bank's managing director and Shearer family friend, highlighted the other side of 'H.L', as Mr. Shearer was fondly called.
A PRIVATE MAN
"Hugh Shearer was an intensely private man. Dignified, modest and humble," Mr. Clarke said.
He told the congregation of Mr. Shearer's "passion for education and the care of the elderly", which led to last year's establishment of the Hugh Shearer Foundation. The foundation, in support of the trade union movement, international relations and the care of the elderly, was created in recognition of the former Prime Minister's 60 years as a trade unionist and his contribution to national development. Mr. Clarke touched the emotions of the congregation when he spoke of Mr. Shearer's housekeeper, Lucille Bennett, who had worked with him since 1965. 'Luce', he said, was the only person Mr. Shearer trusted to iron his white shirts. She was also the only person his widow, Denise Eldemire, would leave him with, during his illness.
Professor Rex Nettleford, in delivering the remembrance, told the congregation that "the textured, enigmatic character that (Mr. Shearer) was, he presented many of his admirers with contradictory omens."
"His unwavering stance against apartheid notwithstanding, he was impatient with the Black Power movement here at home," Professor Nettleford said. "Though this can be explained, many would agree, by the distaste that this well brought-up country boy had for disorder."
Professor Nettleford's reference to the many sides of the former Prime Minister somewhat reflected the poignant tribute from Edward Seaga, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, who suggested that, with the stories that had been told since his death, the country was only now really getting to know Hugh Shearer.
"Even I, after a friendship of 45 years, knew only a part (of who he was)," Mr. Seaga said. He pointed out that many others each knew particular areas of Mr. Shearer's multi-faceted life.
FUNDAMENTAL ADVANCES
Mr. Seaga noted that the former Prime Minister was considered "not enough of an intellectual" by some, but yet was responsible for the most fundamental advances in Jamaica's education system. Also, he pointed out that Mr. Shearer was at one time characterised as a one-dimensional trade unionist, but was now being recognised for his work on global issues such as the creation of a United Nations-recognised International Day for Human Rights.
The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Horace Russell, and the service featured tributes from Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, Senator Bruce Golding and trade unionists Ruddy Spencer, MP, and Lloyd Goodleigh.
Also present were several noted members of the private sector.
At National Heroes Park, Mr. Shearer was buried after a 19-gun salute by soldiers of the Jamaica Defence Force.
That segment of the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Roy Henry, pastor of the East Queen Street Baptist Church, central Kingston.
Also at the service were overseas officials including Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Sir John Compton, former Prime Minister of St. Lucia.
