KINGSTON, Jamaica — Daryl Vaz, Opposition MP for West Portland, told the House of Representatives yesterday that the late minister’s family has named him as one of the pallbearers at his funeral on Saturday.

“It means a lot to me, both from where I am coming from on this side and the relationship. It speaks loudly that no matter how passionate Roger was about his party and his politics, he never allowed that to interfere with his personal friendships and relationships and his service to the people of this country,” he told the House.

Vaz was among a number of MPs who paid tribute to Clarke at Gordon House, as Parliament resumed after its summer break. The tributes lasted for over two hours.

Clarke is to be accorded an ‎official funeral. The service will take place at the St George’s Anglican Church, Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland starting at 10.30 am, after which his body will be buried in his hometown in Glen Islay, Williamsfield, Westmoreland. His body is to be flown home today from Florida, where he died on August 28 from an apparent heart attack, after undergoing back surgery.

Another Opposition MP, Karl Samuda, a close friend of Clarke, said he contributed to breaking down the barriers between both sides in Parliament and political tribalism.

Government ‎MP for East Hanover Dr D K Duncan proposed that the Mackfield to Ferris main road in western Jamaica be renamed in honour of Clarke.