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Honouring Sir Howard

Published:Sunday | October 2, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Montego Bay businessman Winston Dear (right) greets former Governor General Sir Howard Cooke during a dinner held in the statesman's honour at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay. Dear's wife, Denise, looks on.
Sir Howard Cooke, former governor general of Jamaica, is greeted by his brother David. - photos by Mark Titus
Sir Patrick Allen, governor general of Jamaica (left), Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair (centre) and Sir Howard Cooke, former governor general, in an animated discussion during a dinner held in the elder stateman's honour at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay on Saturday, September 24.
Musician extraordinaire Ibo Cooper (left) has the full attention of Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism.
Businessman Godfrey Dyer and wife Odette were out to show their support for Sir Howard Cooke.
Businessman-turned-politician Lloyd B. Smith greets Lady Allen, wife of the governor general, Sir Patrick Allen.
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Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Former Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Howard Cooke, was honoured by some of Jamaica's elite during a banquet on Saturday, September 24, at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay, St James.

The event, which was hosted by Hands Across Jamaica for Righteousness (HANDS), was a fitting gesture for the son of St James who has served as an extraordinary statesman, lay preacher, outstanding nation-builder, politician and educator. He was lauded repeatedly for his 71 years of public service.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen described Sir Howard as "giant of a man, who stamped his mark on the political, social and religious landscape of Jamaica", while his friend Ryland Campbell called him "a quintessential Miconian".

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said Sir Howard was "a man who was impartial to all groups and knew no political barrier".

Despite not being at her usual place beside her husband, there was no less appreciation for Lady Cooke, who was absent due to ill health.

The classy affair also featured excellent entertainment from songbird Joan Myers, who sang two of the honouree's favourite songs, while founding member of reggae band Third World, Ibo Cooper, gave a rendition of HANDS' theme song.

However, the performance of the night came from the Reverend Huntley Brown, whose musical tribute on keyboards was the perfect accompaniment to the popular hymn How Great Thou Art.

In response, Sir Howard reminded those in attendance to "cease to be divided ... use our 50 years of Independence as a second chance to put the wrongs, right".

Among the attendees were Ambassadors Frank Pringle and Basil Bryan; Chief Justice Zaila McCalla; Justice Seymour Panton, president of the Court of Appeal; Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair; Opposition Members of Parliament Robert Pickersgill, Peter Phillips, Derrick Kellier; Montego Bay businessman Winston Dear and his wife, Denise; Maurice Facey, Vivian Crawford and chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Godfrey Dyer, and wife Odette.