Hundreds of mouners turned out at the Port Maria Seventh Day Adventist Church in St Mary on Sunday, May 1 to pay their last respects to Jamaica Labour Party councillor Barton Oliver, who died on March 31.

Green-clad supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party and supporters of a man labelled as an exceptional politician packed the church and lined the compound Sunday morning.

Chief among the attendees were Prime Minister Andrew Holness, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Minister of National Security Robert Montague. A large number of other Cabinet members as well as councillors from parish councils across the island also attended to pay their last respects to the Councillor for the Hampstead division in St Mary.

Oliver was remembered as a great man by family, friends and politicians.

Shamoya Oliver, granddaughter, said she was well loved by her grandfather. “My granddad used to laugh at all my jokes,” she said.

Shamoya had the church laughing when she sang her grandfather’s favourite song, “Bye Bye Portia.”

Devon Barton remembered his brother as a wonderful sibling who had a love for cricket. He described his brother as a “generous man and a loving individual.”

Principal of the Hampstead Primary School, Nicolette Dwyer, also spoke fondly of the man she knew for less than a year. She said Oliver was an exceptional patron who supported the school for many years. She said he was committed to sports at the school where a house was named after him.

“Mr Oliver was accessible and approachable even when there was no money to give this beggy-beggy principal,” she said.

“We are impressed with all that he did and the lives that he touched at Hampstead Primary,” she continued.

Oliver was also described as instrumental in the development of Hampstead Division where he had served since 2003. He was remembered as a community-oriented person who made his mark in the communities where he served. Community members said Oliver was never selfish, but always loving and kind.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said persons turned out not only to pay their last respect to Oliver, but because of the love that they had for him.

“A good name is better than precious ointment,” Holness said.

“Wherever I went in St Mary people loved him,” he said for that reason he had encouraged Oliver to offer himself as Member of Parliament. Holness said members of both the People’s National Party and the JLP loved and respected Oliver.

“I’m happy that he lived to see the government he worked so hard for returned to power,” he said, describing Oliver as a great friend and good politician.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that “representing Hampstead was a passion and a calling” for Councillor Oliver.

“He could tell you where every guinep is. He knew his people…This councillor never hid from his people,” Golding said.

Mayor of Port Maria, Levan Freeman, said Councillor Oliver, whom he affectionately referred to as Sadam, was a close friend. He said the two shared a close bond although they represented different political parties.

He said so close was the friendship that when he travelled abroad he bought a green tie, raising questions about his ownership of the item, however, it was for his friend Sadam.

“He was a true party supporter,” Freeman said.

Minister of National Security Robert Montague who also gave tribute at the service said he could not believe his friend had died.

“Sadam was my brother. I have accepted his passing, but I can’t believe it,” he said

“Sadam was a hard-working councillor,” Montague said. Oliver had indicated that he did not intend to offer himself in the next local government election and had said Mitsy Hudson, who had worked closely with him, would be the suitable candidate.

Montague called on residents in the Hampstead division to ensure that Oliver’s vision for Hudson to represent the division becomes a reality.

Councillor Oliver was remembered as one who loved being a councillor and one who was never late for meetings.

He was also remembered as a councillor with integrity, a man who did not make promises he could not keep.