Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
(Front row from left) Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and Prime Minister P.J. Patterson watch as pall bearers carry the body of Alfred Rattray out of the University Chapel where a thanksgiving service was held for his life yesterday. Mr. Rattray, a former ambassador to the United States, was also a government senator. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
HUNDREDS OF mourners yesterday paid their last respects to the late Alfred Rattray, who was eulogised as a patriot of gentle wit, a tireless advocate for justice, and a devoted family and community man.
Mr. Rattray died on March 20. He was 80 years old.
A thanksgiving service for life of the former ambassador to Washington and People's National Party (PNP) senator was held at the University Chapel on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies.
In delivering his tribute, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who worked alongside Mr. Rattray in the law firm, Rattray, Patterson, Rattray, said the former chartered accountant lived a good life by giving his all to family, country and career.
As ambassador, Mr. Patterson said that Mr. Rattray was always zealous of Jamaica's right to engage in criticism and debate about its domestic issues within its shoreline.
"But he was intolerant of any effort to discredit Jamaica abroad," Mr. Patterson said, adding that the former Port Authority of Jamaica chairman "systematically refuted every false media report" about Jamaica.
ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE
In his tribute, former Opposition Senator Oswald Harding, who sat in the Senate along with Mr. Rattray, remarked that they both shared a "first cousin" relationship. Dr. Harding said his late friend was a tireless advocate for justice. He added that he was also a shrewd politician.
"He was of independent thoughts (more so) than many independent senators," Mr. Harding said.
Delivering the remembrance, Mr. Rattray's niece, Andrea Rattray-Prendergast, said her late uncle had a brilliant and enquiring mind, and was a devoted father and grandfather. She added that he lived a very
modest life.
"He frowned on any excess," Mrs. Rattray-Prendergast said. "He was frugal to a fault."
She also said Mr. Rattray was a noted philanthropist who opened his house and extended hands of friendship to people from all walks of life.
Mrs. Rattray-Prendergast also remembered her late uncle for his patriotism. She said: "He was at heart a nationalist who committed himself to nation building as an obligation."
Also heading the list of mourners yesterday were Governor-General Howard Cooke, Opposition Leader Dr. Ken Baugh, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader Bruce Golding, Richard Bernal, former ambassador to Washington, and a number of government ministers and Opposition MPs.
Mr. Rattray is to be cremated at a later date.
