MANDEVILLE, Manchester — It has been an emotional nine days in this south-central parish for councillors on both sides of the political aisle and Manchester Central Member of Parliament Rhoda Moy Crawford, following the July 8 passing of Councillor Cleon “Pancho” Francis.

He died at age 52 after being hospitalised for close to a month.

Francis, a proprietor of Top Notch Block Factory in Sunset (area south west of Mandeville), entered representational politics in 2012 as a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate, polling 2,009 votes to win the Knockpatrick Division over the People’s National Party’s (PNP’s) candidate Goyfield Harrison’s 1,857 votes — a margin of 152.

Crawford and his colleagues in the local municipality where he served as minority leader remembered Francis for his bipartisan approach.

“It is a very difficult time for us in the constituency, especially in the Knockpatrick Division and the wider Manchester. Pancho was our tower of strength. He was a real community man, a family man. He didn’t believe in partisan politics, it didn’t matter if people supported the JLP, PNP or had no affiliation,” said Crawford.

“Pancho was always looking out and responding to their needs outside of politics he helped several family initiatives, fun days, back-to-school initiatives, football leagues, those sorts of things to build and foster community spirit. He will be sadly missed, but you know we have to honour his legacy and so we will continue to represent the people of the Knockpatrick Division to the best of our abilities,” she added.

“I am just totally devastated. My heart is broken in a million pieces. He was solid, dedicated, fierce, and hardworking and we are all in mourning,” an emotional Crawford told the Jamaica Observer.

Councillor Desmond Harrison (JLP, Christiana Division) said that last Thursday was one of the saddest days in the council, as Francis who sat to his left, was gone.

“We have noticed the empty space, but for me it is not that he has passed. For me it is just that he is not here today. He is absent for today’s meeting,” said Councillor Harrison.

He said he met Francis in 2012 on the political campaign for the March 26 Local Government Election.

“We both rode in the same vehicle right across his division and then we came here to the Mandeville Division. Councillor Francis won his election, was elected to this council and sat right here beside me,” said councillor Harrison.

He said Francis represented the Knockpatrick Division very well.

“… He was not a man who spoke a lot, but whenever he spoke it made sense and sometimes when I listened to him I even urged him to continue with his report. He will be missed, but he won’t be forgotten,” said councillor Harrison.

Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker (JLP, Porus Division) recalled Francis mentoring her.

“When I was asked to represent the JLP for the Porus Division he knew I was not ready. He knew I needed guidance and I needed resources and that he made sure that I had,” she said before breaking down in tears.

Francis was re-elected as councillor for the Knockpatrick Division in the 2016 Local Government Election and increased his margin of victory over that of 2012.

He polled 2,068 votes over the PNP’s candidate and former Manchester Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Freckleton who garnered 1,520 votes (margin of 548).

Francis stood as the only JLP councillor in Manchester Central, which has four divisions, coming out of that 2016 election.

Councillor Jones Oliphant (PNP, Mandeville Division) said Francis was a well-respected businessman.

“I have known Councillor Francis from before he entered politics, because as businessmen you know we trade things, being in the construction industry and I the printing industry, so there comes a time when we do business,” said Oliphant.

“When he decided that he would go into politics, at the same time I was entering too. He said, ‘Let me tell you something, we are neighbours and we are friends, but let not politics divide us’,” Oliphant recalled of Francis as they represented neighbouring divisions.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Rohan Kennedy (PNP, Mile Gully Division) reiterated that Francis was bipartisan.

“I really can testify that he was a good soul… He was one who really looked beyond political colours,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy chaired Thursday’s sitting, as Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell is on sick leave.

Councillor Faith Sampson (JLP, Jones Hall Division), who crossed the floor from the PNP in 2020, said Francis was “colour blind”.

“I used to sit directly across from him, so I was able to observe him. I noticed that he took his time to observe, understand, and for months he was quiet then came the time when he began making his contribution,” she said.

“He was always to the point, and his contributions had a finality. Most of the time his contribution on a matter settled it…He treated everyone the same, no matter if you were green, orange, blue or no colour at all. Two years ago when I joined the JLP Pancho became my big brother. He made sure by checking up on me that everything was okay,” she added.

Councillor Leroy Mitchell (JLP, Walderston Division) said the base has been set for Francis’ predecessor to build on.

“… I know in my heart that the kind of leadership that Pancho had exercised, the Knockpatrick Division will be strong, because he has laid a foundation for the people [there]. Knockpatrick was the heart of Pancho,” Mitchell said.

Councillor Omar Miller (JLP, Craighead Division) described Francis as a “gentle giant”.

“He was a very powerful fellow and he was one who was able to bridge the gap and to let you always look at the brighter picture or the reality,” said Miller.

Councillor Dalton Brown (PNP, Alligator Pond Division) recalled his first interaction with Francis following their swearing in as councillors in 2012.

“I was quite intrigued by what he accomplished…I said to Pancho you are the only JLP candidate in the western hemisphere to win a seat from a PNP candidate, because what a lot of people didn’t realise was that the Knockpatrick Division was the only division that the PNP had [in that] election that they lost. We won a whole heap more, so he was unique from the start,” said Brown.

Councillor Ervin Facey (PNP, Spur Tree Division) said Francis will be remembered for his kindness.

“We are all shocked and saddened by his sudden passing. He will be sadly missed by all of us. I shared a very cordial relationship with him… He went beyond the call of duty and served the people of the Knockpatrick Division,” said Facey.

Councillor McArthur Collins (PNP, New Green Division) said Francis was a role model.

“For him it wasn’t about politics, but for what he was doing for people in his constituency. He was always about assisting people and getting children to go to school. He was so helpful in his division,” said Collins.

Councillor Anthony Bryce (PNP, Newport Division) said Francis was more than just a colleague.

“He has never said anything to me about politics. When he was running for the Knockpatrick Division he came to me and I said to him I wish you all the best, as he said to me, ‘me and you anuh orange and green, me and you a brethren’. Pancho is a legend, a general and good man. I wonder why good people never live long, but God knows best,”

Councillor Mario Mitchell (PNP, Bellefield Division) described Francis as bipartisan in a unique way.

“Pancho was a councillor not just for the JLP, but for each and every one. I can recall on one occasion Mr [Peter] Bunting and I went to visit him at his block factory. I think if my memory serves me right, most of his workers are PNP supporters and such is the nature of the man,” said Mitchell. “He had the heart that cared for each and every one.”

A candlelight vigil was scheduled for Saturday at Francis’ Top Notch Plaza in Sunset, Manchester.