KINGSTON, Jamaica – Fay Tortello, the eldest sister of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, is to be buried on Thursday, August 11.

OBSERVER ONLINE has been reliably informed that she will be buried following a church service at the Sts Peter and Paul Church on Old Hope Road in Kingston, starting at 10:00 am.

Tortello, who was also honorary Italian Consul in Jamaica, was born on August 4, 1931. She died on Emancipation Day, August 1, in the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) following a prolonged illness.

In a news release on her death, Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed regret at her passing three days before her 85th birthday.

The prime minister described her as a savvy businesswoman and added that, as consul for Italy, she brokered a number of projects between the Italian and Jamaican governments, including the rehabilitation of JPS power plants in Old Harbour, and the upgrade of the Bustamante Hospital in Kingston at no cost to Jamaica.

“She was known for her dynamic and forceful personality and was a favourite caller to Wilmot ‘Mutty’ Perkins’ radio talk show. She would sometimes argue with him on a range of topical issues in the 1990s,” Holness said.

The prime minister also recalled that “Mrs Tortello often used a keen sense of humour to sharpen her strong political points. Her voice was easily identifiable and she was the only one to call him by the nickname, ‘Willy’.”

He said that, “Miss T”, as she was popularly called, had no interest in sitting on large committees or boards.

“Instead, she often quietly helped friends in need and supported causes in which she believed,” he said.

Tortello leaves behind three children – sons George and Philip Crimarco, and daughter, Dr Rebecca Tortello Greenland, as well as seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.    

Balford Henry