Member of Parliament for West Portland Daryl Vaz has hailed the late Jamaica Labour Party former standard-bearer Patrick Lee as a “patriot” of the country and a “true son of Portland”.

Lee died on Saturday morning after a period of illness.

READ: Portland loses another giant in a week

“On behalf of Ann Marie Vaz (the member of parliament for East Portland) and the entire Jamaica Labour Party Portland family, I extend sincere condolences to Patrick’s family, and by extension the entire parish of Portland, on his passing,” Vaz said in a statement to OBSERVER ONLINE.

Lee, who was also a Justice of the Peace and a philanthropist, ventured into politics and ran on the JLP’s ticket in Eastern Portland in the December 2011 election. He lost to the late Dr Lynvale Broomfield

“Patrick flew the JLP flag for decades and contested elections in East Portland in 2011 before our political fortunes changed largely due to him. He represented the Rio Grande Valley as Councillor between 1981 -1986, flying the banner of the JLP proudly,” Vaz noted.

He added that Lee assisted many people regardless of their political persuasion.

Vaz hailed Lee as a “true son of Portland and a patriot despite his medical challenges.”