Hundreds of mourners packed and overflowed onto the lawns of the University Chapel, Mona, in St Andrew yesterday to pour accolades on outstanding public servant, former solicitor-general Dr Kenneth Rattray, signalling that with his passing came the end of an era.

Rattray, whose reputation as a shrewd negotiator stretched far beyond the shores of the island, was remembered yesterday for his epochal contributions to the Jamaican society, at an official funeral service attended by ministers of government, members of the diplomatic community and leaders from other fields, as well as family and friends.

Rattray, aged 72, was Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary from 1974 to the time of his death on January 3. He died after a prolonged illness.

The Rattray family, known for producing outstanding public servants, was headed by Ken Rattray’s widow, Faith, their two sons and three daughters and his brother, Carl Rattray, a former minister of justice. The mourners included Portia Simpson Miller, the minister of local government, community development and sport, and Dr Omar Davies, the minister of finance.

In tribute after tribute, Rattray’s service to the country in the field of diplomacy – in particular international negotiation – was hailed, with special emphasis on his contribution to international civil aviation, where he eventually served as chairman of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

He was also lauded for his yeoman work to bring into reality the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Seabed Authority, embracing the concept of the oceans being the common heritage of mankind.

Rattray’s work to advance the interests of developing states drew special mention by all those paying tribute, including the Hon Justice Lloyd Ellis, Dr Vincent Lawrence and Douglas Leys.

They spoke of the complex and brilliant persona behind the urbane and charming face that graced many an international fora. Jamaica would be forever grateful for his negotiating skills in the negotiations that led to the Bauxite Production levy which gave the country a larger stake in the bauxite/alumina industry in the 1970s. More recently, the Shiprider Agreement was recognised as among his many great accomplishments.

But it was left to his son Ken Jr to give the most insightful remembrance of the man, as a loving father to his wife and children, sporting enthusiast and cricketing legend “in his own mind”, music lover and natty dresser.

“Dad was fiercely proud of all of us, regardless of our level of accomplishment. He imparted an appreciation for fairness, a social conscience and a core value of conscience,” said Ken, adding that his father loved “to laugh at his own jokes”, sing and raid the kitchen cupboard late at night for bun and bulla cakes.

Douglas Leys, who worked closely with Rattray in the solicitor-general’s office, recalled that one of his less well-known accomplishments was that of being one of the chief architects of the Jamaican Company Law. He also noted Rattray’s nimbleness of mind. “Once it came across his desk he became an expert.”

Officiating at the ceremony was the Rev Canon Ralston A Smith, while Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe read the second lesson. Musical tributes came from soloists William Adamson and D’Arcy Tulloch Williams, accompanied by organist Vivian Crawford and the Choir of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

The body of Dr Kenneth Rattray was cremated following the funeral service.