LATE councillor for the Islington Division in St Mary Lincoln “Dico” Dixon was eulogised as a dedicated family man and friend to all during a thanksgiving service for his life last Saturday at St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Annotto Bay.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their final respects to the late People’s National Party (PNP) representative who made friends on both sides of the political divide.

Opposition leader and PNP President Mark Golding described Dixon as a true public servant and a man of principle and dedication.

“I can recall where I had an engagement in Annotto Bay, and this was right after his son died, I mentioned to him that I could reassign someone else to represent but he firmly insisted he would attend since he was already given the task. His dedication and firmness was undeniable,” said Golding.

In the meantime, Member of Parliament for St Mary Central Dr Morais Guy said Dixon was not only his political comrade, but he was a friend and confidante.

“Dixon was a ladies’ man and a charmer so when he charmed the ladies you knew the husbands would follow, so it was a win-win,” said Dr Guy with a chuckle.

He told the congregation that Dixon had dedicated himself to representing the people of the Islington Division and the PNP’s Region Two, which he was serving as chairman up to the time of his death.

Others who delivered tributes emphasised the dedication, commitment and service above self that the father, councillor, region chairman, brother and friend displayed even before he entered politics.

Interim PNP chairman for the Islington Division and long-time friend Everton Garvey reminisced on their boyhood days, stating that even when Dixon moved into adulthood he never changed.

“He gave service above self, always trying to find a solution to everyone’s problem,” said Garvey.

Mayor of Port Maria, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Richard Creary told the thanksgiving service that even though they were on two different sides of the fence, he respected Dixon.

“Even when we had serious matters and different opinions the entire council knew that when Councillor Dixon smiled, all was over,” said Creary

He added that Dixon will be missed not only by his immediate family but his parish council family.

Dixon entered representational politics in 2011 and defeated the JLP’s Dave Morris in the 2012 Local Government Election.

He defended the seat in 2016 when he defeated the JLP’s Terry-Ann Davidson to be the first person to ever retain the division.

Dixon was born in Islington, St Mary, where he attended Martin All Age and later the Knockpatrick Agricultural School. He was a teacher at the then Highgate All Age school (now Highgate Primary and Junior High) and worked for many years at the Public Works Department (now National Works Agency) before entering politics.

Dixon died suddenly on March 2, one week after burying his son.