Former People’s National Party member of parliament for Western St Mary Dr Neil McGill was remembered as a remarkable man who served his country with pride and dignity and who cared deeply for persons around him who he regarded as his equals.

Dr McGill, a Justice of the Peace and retired Jamaica Defense Force reserve soldier was killed by gunmen at Hillside Manchester on August 6. He died at the age of 60.

On Friday, mourners from all walks of life, who were unable to hold inside the packed Garrison Church of Ascension at Up Park Camp in Kingston, stood on the outside and braved the sun and listened to glowing tributes that were paid to the Clarendon native.

Dr McGill, who was also a successful farmer and restaurateur was described as an exemplary politician; a committed and devoted family man and a beloved and greatly admired medical practitioner.

His two children, who are both doctors, spoke of his love for his family and for the persons within his community who he was always happy to assist, whether it was through his job as a politician or as a doctor and through his sporting foundation.

“My father moulded me into the man I man today. He taught me life lessons that will live on,” said his son Neil. “My daddy was a man of principle, things were either right or wrong.”

His daughter Neila-Kay said, “My daddy was a good husband and a great father. He was a family man and was always there when we needed him.”

Leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson-Miller in her tribute said “It is still shocking for me that one who gave so much of his skills to his community and to his country is no longer with us.”

However, she said that Dr McGill served the party with dignity and pride while contributing valuable service.

Simpson-Miller said he will be greatly missed by the members of the party whose lives he had had touched and enriched.

While former finance minister, Omar Davis in his tribute, delivered on behalf of Glenmuir High School, where both he and Dr McGill attended, described him as “kind, sensitive and humourous”.

He said his friend, who was affectionately called “Muggins” was always concerned about others and gave moral and financial support to his former high school especially in the area of football.

“Even as we lament his untimely passing, no can who encounter Muggins, can forget him. He made his mark in several fields,” Davis said.

Tributes, which echoed similar sentiments, also came from Dr Patrick Bhoorasing, representing the University of the West Indies medical class of 1978, Luitenant Andrew Lamb on behalf of the 3rd Battalion of the JDF and Custos of St Mary Alaric Pottinger.

A tribute in song was also delivered by the Glenmuir High School choir.

Dr Michelle Hamilton who read the eulogy said apart from football Dr McGill also loved horseracing and owned several racehorses.

She said that as doctor he was always approachable and made his mark in the community of Oracabessa in St Mary.

“His legacy will live on in the lives of all who he have touched,” Dr Hamilton said

Dr Neil McGill is survived by his wife, Slyvia, his mother Phyllis Wheatley, his children, brothers and sisters.

His remains were interred at the Jamaica Defense Force cemetery at Briggs Park in Up Park Camp.