Former minister Dwight Nelson laid to rest

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Late government minister, senator and trade unionist Dwight Augustus Nelson was remembered for being the quintessential family man, a friend, and a hard worker with an ability to pull others into his orbit of influence at an official funeral held earlier today at a packed Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Kingston.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in whose administration Nelson served as National Security Minister, delivered the remembrance on behalf of the family and noted that the former minister, who he knew from their time as students at St George’s College, spoke about his formative years.

Nelson’s greatest achievement, according to Golding, is his pivotal role in the historic Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and public sector unions in 2004.

“It came about in the face of adversarial relationship that traditionally exists between the Government and public sector workers on the issue of wages,” recalled Golding.

Nelson, who passed away on December 24, 2018, was revered for his strong personal convictions and his role in the trade union movement.

He was a first vice-president of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in delivering the first lesson, drawn from Daniel 12 verses 1-3, while the second lesson was taken from Revelation 21 versus 1-7, which was read by Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips.

Nelson, 72, was interred at the Dovecot Memorial Park in St Catherine.

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