MOUNT CAREY, St James – Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Saturday hailed former Montego Bay mayor Milton Stewart as a distinguished son, who gave outstanding service to his party, community, city and country.

A number of other government officials, including information minister, Donald Buchanan and labour and social security minister Derick Kellier, as well as past and present mayors, joined the Stewart family to pay final respects to the outstanding politician on Saturday at a thanksgiving service at the Mount Carey Baptist Church. He was laid to rest in York Bush, St James.

Stewart, who gave 24 years of service to local government, was a member of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP). He died on July 6 at the age of 84.

“In the PNP, Comrade Stewart was known as a soft-spoken, kind-hearted man who found his way into the hearts of the people. He was generous, he was compassionate and a people person,” said Simpson Miller in her tribute.

According to the prime minister, the late Montego Bay mayor knew how to restore harmony when tensions arose, adding that Stewart “always believed that he should stay close to the people”.

“No one could question his commitment to the PNP and the people he served,” Simpson Miller said, noting that she had to put aside political campaigning to be in attendance at his thanksgiving service.

Stewart served as councillor for the Anchovy Division of the St James Parish Council from March 1969 to March 1981; and again from 1996 to September 1998.

During his distinguished career in local government, he also served as chairman of the St James Parish Council and mayor of Montego Bay from 1986 to 1990.

In 1998, he was elected president of the World Conference of Mayors.

Former Montego Bay Mayor Arthur Gilchrist, who worked with Stewart while he was mayor and deputy mayor, described the late politican as a man with great strength and character.

“His determination and ability had helped him to achieve a lot for Montego Bay, politically,” Gilchrist said in his tribute.

The local government and environment minister, Dean Peart, in a tribute read on his behalf by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Donovan Rowe, described Stewart as “a true servant of the people” who commanded the respect of all.

“He not only made his mark locally, but internationally,” Peart said. He added that Stewart’s passing had left a “deep void” in the local government system.

Stewart, who was also remembered by many as a family man and a proud father, is survived by 13 children, 50 grandchildren, as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Junior, one of his sons, remembered his father as a “simple man” who was patriotic and loyal.

“He also believed in education and had a fixity of purpose in what he was doing. He believed in staying the course,” the younger Stewart said.