Dear Editor,
I feel compelled to add my own few words on the passing of my friend and political mentor, Roger Clarke. Since his untimely passing a lot of kind words have been spoken by Jamaicans from all walks of life. Not surprising as Roger walked with kings but never lost the common touch o,r for that matter, lost touch with the common people -- hence him winning all eight elections he contested, spanning decades.
I am yet to hear one person, whether PNP, JLP, or no P, utter anything true negative while he was alive and nothing other than deep sympathy and regret since his untimely passing. What a feat for a politician in Jamaica's tribal political system. I spent the weekend working in my constituency and every JLP constituent I met with was visibly shaken and saddened by "Red Poll Bull's" passing.
On a personal note, "Rog" was my friend, albeit for less than 10 years, but length of friendship does not necessarily dictate quality of friendship. And I must say that behind the carefree, jovial, fun-loving Roger was a soft caring and sensitive man. A loyal friend, he was always there to give advice and encouragement in good times and bad. A gentle giant of a man, he was kind and compassionate, despite his jovial persona.
He was a proud and humble man whose integrity was unquestionable and his love of his country and the people was paramount at all times. Having spoken to Roger almost every day while he was away during his illness, I know that there is nothing he wanted more than to return to his homeland to continue his mission. In our last conversation he requested to be met at his St Catherine home with a freshly steamed fish that would have been cooked by a mutual friend for his return last Thursday, as he was heading straight to St Elizabeth/ Westmore-land to continue his recovery and his new healthy lifestyle. He never made it.
To his dear wife, Sonia and his family, I mourn and pray with you as I too have lost a remarkable friend and mentor. I can only hope that you can be comforted and consoled in knowing that "Rog" has left an indelible mark on this country and uplifted the life of thousands of Jamaicans, a feat for which the good Lord will recognise when they meet in due course. Parliament and politics will never be the same with the loss of Roger Clarke.
Walk good, my friend Roger, and be assured that I will continue to try to practice the political style you taught me and serve Jamaica as you did.
Daryl Vaz
Member of Parliament
Portland Western
Roger was
a true friend
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I feel compelled to add my own few words on the passing of my friend and political mentor, Roger Clarke. Since his untimely passing a lot of kind words have been spoken by Jamaicans from all walks of life. Not surprising as Roger walked with kings but never lost the common touch o,r for that matter, lost touch with the common people -- hence him winning all eight elections he contested, spanning decades.
I am yet to hear one person, whether PNP, JLP, or no P, utter anything true negative while he was alive and nothing other than deep sympathy and regret since his untimely passing. What a feat for a politician in Jamaica's tribal political system. I spent the weekend working in my constituency and every JLP constituent I met with was visibly shaken and saddened by "Red Poll Bull's" passing.
On a personal note, "Rog" was my friend, albeit for less than 10 years, but length of friendship does not necessarily dictate quality of friendship. And I must say that behind the carefree, jovial, fun-loving Roger was a soft caring and sensitive man. A loyal friend, he was always there to give advice and encouragement in good times and bad. A gentle giant of a man, he was kind and compassionate, despite his jovial persona.
He was a proud and humble man whose integrity was unquestionable and his love of his country and the people was paramount at all times. Having spoken to Roger almost every day while he was away during his illness, I know that there is nothing he wanted more than to return to his homeland to continue his mission. In our last conversation he requested to be met at his St Catherine home with a freshly steamed fish that would have been cooked by a mutual friend for his return last Thursday, as he was heading straight to St Elizabeth/ Westmore-land to continue his recovery and his new healthy lifestyle. He never made it.
To his dear wife, Sonia and his family, I mourn and pray with you as I too have lost a remarkable friend and mentor. I can only hope that you can be comforted and consoled in knowing that "Rog" has left an indelible mark on this country and uplifted the life of thousands of Jamaicans, a feat for which the good Lord will recognise when they meet in due course. Parliament and politics will never be the same with the loss of Roger Clarke.
Walk good, my friend Roger, and be assured that I will continue to try to practice the political style you taught me and serve Jamaica as you did.
Daryl Vaz
Member of Parliament
Portland Western
Roger was
a true friend
-->