Late Prime Minister of Barba-dos David Thompson was laid to rest yesterday following a state funeral at Kensington Oval that saw thousands in attendance, including numerous foreign dignitaries and heard flowing tributes in which he was described as a man for all seasons and someone who put others first.
According to the Barbados Nation, among those paying tribute were Caricom Chairman Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, and Thompson’s daughters Misha and Oya and his adopted son Dario via recordings. Two eulogies were also delivered; one by Hartley Henry, who played a key role in helping Thompson and his Demo-cratic Labour Party to capture the 2008 general election, and who eventually became his political adviser, and the second by Attorney -at-law Brian Clarke.
Barbadians began packing into the oval from very early yesterday morning for the 9.30 am service. Music mega-star Rihanna arrived at 9.16 am to loud applause. Reggae artiste Luciano and promoter Freddy Hill were also in attendance.
The Nation said too that the ecumenical service was to be attended by regional heads of government, head of the Organisation of American States Jose Miguel Insulza, a United States presidential delegation and former West Indies captain Brian Lara as an official member of the Trinidad and Tobago delegation. From Guyana, President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposi-tion Leader Robert Corbin also attended.
Golding, in his tribute, said that the entire Caribbean Community has been left much poorer for the loss of one of its distinguished leaders.
“… This was no ordinary man. David assumed the leadership of Barbados at a time of great challenge, a time when the world was entering the worst economic crisis of our lifetime. It has had a severe effect on Barbados as, indeed, all the countries of the region and, like others of us who came to office around the same time, he swam against the currents to preserve the commitments he had made to the Barbadian people which formed the mandate he had been given. In the face of these difficulties, David led Barbados with a clear mind and steady hands,” Golding said.
He spoke of the impact Thompson had on Caricom and on behalf of Caricom extended condolences to his wife Mara, their children and relatives.
Clarke, who had known Thompson for 30 years, described him as a man who displayed a capacity for leadership from an early age and had inherent qualities of self-confidence coupled with utter fearlessness patience and equality.
Clarke described his friend as a warm, compassionate and generous man and a loyal friend. He said he was not spiteful and had a first class memory. He also recalled how much Thompson loved music and cricket.
He said Thompson was hardworking, well organized, a good planner, multi skilled. He also said he was a first class lawyer, but admitted he could not say he was passionate about that career.
According to the Nation, Henry’s eulogy brought applause and a few tears. In the audio visual tributes, Dario elicited much laughter as he recounted how he was ushered into a game after daddy and mummy showed up at a football game to see him play. Misha’s memories of how he would try to get her to laugh, while Oya’s anecdote when he knocked the desert bowl out of her mum’s hand after trying some ballet moves were well received.
Luciano said he had to come as ‘King David’ was his friend and fan who showed great appreciation for his music.
“When you have a (government) minister who has a keen interest in music he is a peoples’ person,” said Luciano.
The artiste said what he liked most about Thompson was that he was very “down-to-earth and natural person. When I meet people of high (calibre) like that and they are so straightforward . . . They are special – and he was special.”
Some four hours later Thompson was laid to rest in the churchyard of the St John’s Parish Anglican Church.
Thompson, who was Prime Minister of Barbados from January 2008 died on October 23 at his home in Mapps, St Philip, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 48 years old.
