HUNDREDS of people turned out yesterday for the public viewing of the body of the late Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke at the headquarters of the People’s National Party (PNP) in Kingston.

Among them were Government officials, Opposition members, dignitaries, and former police commissioners Owen Ellington and Lucius Thomas.

The viewing, which started at 9:00 am sharp and ended at 3:00 pm, also had in attendance hundreds of PNP supporters dressed in orange (the party’s colour). Some cried openly, while others sang as they mourned their departed comrade.

Clarke’s body, which was placed in the conference room of the PNP headquarters, was dressed in a grey jacket, a light-coloured shirt and a patterned tie.

A number of people who viewed the body commented that there was a smile on his face and that he looked “fresh”.

One woman commented as she viewed the body: “The PNP bull pretty though. Cool and pretty.”

“Ah di same Roger,” another woman commented. “Yeah man,” another added. “Roger,” the woman said, “yuh gone but yuh memories live on.”

By the 3 o’clock cut-off time for viewing, respects were paid by the likes of Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, and a number of her Cabinet members; European Union Ambassador to Jamaica Paola Amadei, along with other ambassadors; Jamaica Labour Party members Karl Samuda, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Tom Tavares-Finson, Delano Seiveright and Floyd Green.

Former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall also viewed the body and signed the condolence book.

Ambassador Amadei wrote that Jamaica could not have had a more passionate advocate for rural development. “The European Union has lost a long-standing partner and friend. May he rest in peace,” she wrote.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines prime minister, meanwhile, expressed condolence on behalf of his country to Clarke’s family, friends and Government.

“We’ll keep you in our hearts,” Simpson Miller simply wrote. “Rest in peace.”

Prime Minister Simpson Miller was accompanied by Mayor of Kingston Angela Brown Burke to the viewing.

Environment Minister Robert ‘Bobby’ Pickersgill wrote that Clarke was unforgettable and “Rest well, my friend”.

“God bless you, Roger, my friend,” Samuda wrote. Green wrote that Clarke was “a symbol of non-tribal politics”.

During the proceedings, a man brandishing a Bible walked about the premises imploring people to repent, adding that Clarke “had the most important ministry”.

Some officials, including the JLP’s Grange, could not hold back the tears.

Clarke, who had recovered from a successful back surgery, died on August 28 from a suspected heart attack at an airport in Florida, United States, where he was awaiting a flight to Jamaica. He was pronounced dead at hospital.

He will be buried tomorrow.