Dear Editor,
Deryck Bernard was one of the more liked politicians by both sides of the House of Parliament. He was a man for all seasons- a politician, educationist, musician and lay preacher. I cannot say I knew him in an intimate way but it is through the media, his acquaintances and more from his spiritual work that I frame these views of mine. I recall his sermons that were practical and which one could easily identify with the societal ills of the country and the world at large. I would have described him as a liberal rather than a conservative person.
Dignified yet simple in dress, he personified the poem of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” —“nor lose the common touch.” He seemed to have a passion for music and would at times during his sermons perform the roles of playing the organ and singing. It is regrettable and sad that he was denied another accomplishment- that of completion of the law degree.
Fate can be cruel, last week he buried his mother, today we are saying farewell to him. I conclude with words from Kahlil Gibran “Man is like the foam of the sea, that floats upon the surface of the water. When the wind blows, it vanishes, as if it had never been. Thus are our lives blown away by Death.”
To his sorrowing wife, family and relatives my sincere condolences and may his soul rest in peace.
Yours faithfully,
VO Patrick
