Tony Becca, Contributing Editor
Mrs. Daphne Morris (in wheelchair), carries the urn with the ashes of her brother, Allan Rae, to the spot where the ashes of Rae's wife Betty and their son Phillip was buried yesterday at the St. Andrew Parish Church cemetery in Half-Way Tree. Assisting Mrs. Morris are
family members Stuart Lacy (left) and Norman Rae, followed by the Jamaica cricket team. The thanksgiving service preceded the
internment, at the St. Andrew Parish Church. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ALLAN RAE, the former Jamaica and West Indies cricketer, former president of the Jamaica Cricket Board of Control and former
president of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control, was lauded as a great cricketer, a great administrator, and a great man at a thanksgiving service for his life
at the St. Andrew Parish Church
yesterday.
With a church-full of admirers on hand to say farewell to the famous opening batsman and to the outstanding leader, the
tributes, one from the Wolmer's Old Boys Association, one from the Kingston Cricket Club, one from the Jamaica Cricket Association and one on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, remembered a man whose life was totally dedicated to the game he loved.
ALL-ROUNDER
The Wolmer's tribute, delivered by schoolmate and friend the Rev. Ossie Thorbourne, remembered Rae at Wolmer's, not only as an outstanding batsman, but also as a solid, goalscoring half-liner on the football team and a member of the track and field team.
The Kingston Cricket Club's tribute, delivered by president Errol Zaidie, remembered the 'Baron' as one of its finest
members, one who loved the club as much as he loved cricket, one who loved cricket as much as he loved the club, and one who assisted in the development
of many of the club's young cricketers a number of whom went on to represent Jamaica and the West Indies.
A former Jamaica and West Indies cricketer himself and now president of the JCA, Jackie Hendriks remembered Rae the administrator, the man who, said Hendriks, threw his heart and soul into the administration of the game at both levels.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
"His love for the game knew no bounds and he was always looking to the future to ensure that the game thrived and that the players were properly treated and happy in their chosen field.
"Allan bestrode the world of cricket like a colossus," said Hendriks, "and now that we have come to the end of an era, will we never again see the likes of this man who placed service to the game at the highest pinnacle and who did what he thought was right, regardless of contrary opinion?"
Rae was awarded the Order of Jamaica by the Government of Jamaica, and according to Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sports, "it was all a life totally dedicated to the institution of cricket, and it was for his achievements on the field of play and his unyielding principles.
"He not only opened the innings with distinction, but he has closed it in the same manner. He batted well, he made his centuries, he was a great administrator, and we remember him as one who refused to compromise the West Indies position regarding Apartheid, vigorously denying, at the ICC, the participation of South Africa in world cricket."
The Minister ended in the hope that Rae's example as an administrator will help to heal the ills which now seem to beset West Indies cricket.
Among the many presidents - past and present - of sports associations present were Teddy Griffith, president of the West Indies Board, and among the great sportsmen, past and present, in attendance was Olympic star Herb McKenley.
