Gov’t accords official funeral to Derrick Rochester
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government of Jamaica says it will accord an official funeral to former Member of Parliament for South East St Elizabeth Derrick Austin Rochester.
Rochester’s funeral service will take place at the Munro College Auditorium, Munro Top Hill, St Elizabeth on Sunday, May 1 at 11:00 am. The official viewing at the auditorium will take place from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Interment will be at a later date.
An official viewing will also be held on Friday, April 29 commencing at 9:30am at the Derrick Rochester HEART Institute in Junction, St Elizabeth.
Rochester died at his home in St Elizabeth about 2:40 pm on Saturday, April 9, after ailing for some time. He was 76 years old.
He had the distinctive record of holding the offices of island supervisor and president of the National Workers Union simultaneously.
Rochester was also the first worker delegate to head the union.
Another achievement for Rochester was when as head of the union, he negotiated an initial 100 per cent increase for workers in the bauxite industry, followed by an 80 per cent increase, the release said.
As a trade unionist, the People’s National Party said Rochester was very active in the bauxite industry and worker negotiations.