ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — Hundreds of supporters, family, friends, and the political class turned out last Saturday to pay last respects to retired parliamentarian Harry Douglas, the man they saw as a servant of the people, and who was instrumental in the development of St Mary South Eastern.

Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, in his tribute read by former People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for St Mary South Eastern Dr Shane Alexis, said Jamaica has lost a strong pillar of political service.

“Comrade Harry Douglas, whose unwavering dedication to national building spans [many] years, his journey from the crib to the chambers of Gordon House exemplified the transformation power of committed leadership,” Patterson said.

He described Douglas as a fearless warrior who demonstrated persistence and dedication in getting resources for the people he represented.

Applauding Douglas’s legacy, Patterson said the politician helped in the building of Annotto Bay High School, Bromley All-Age, and St Mary Technical High School, all of which have become outstanding institutions in the parish. Patterson said Douglas also helped rehabilitate more than 30 other schools.

“[He was] persistent in his representation to every ministry and government agency until he heard, ‘Yes’ as the final answer to his every plea for his constituency,” Patterson said, adding that Douglas took this attitude with him when he became minister of state in the Ministry of Water and Housing.

Meanwhile, principal of Annotto Bay High Trudy Phillips told mourners at St Theresa Catholic Church that Douglas was instrumental in the commission of the high school which has become one the top educational institutions in the parish.

“He placed poor people’s children on the map, and he continued to lift them up,” Phillips said.

She said with tremendous support from Douglas, the school has grown in many ways.

“Annotto Bay will have its first medical doctor within a year, and a nurse within two years, thanks to the partnership [he facilitated] with the Cuban Government,“ she said. “May we all carry forward his vision, ensuring that his work and dedication never fade from history.”

For his part, PNP candidate for St Mary South Eastern Christopher Brown said he had learned much from Douglas.

“I learned political organisation through Harry Douglas; I learned the importance of not just saying things because they sound good, but on focusing on really what matters to the people.”

He described Douglas as one of the best grass roots politicians, who schooled hundreds and gave many their start in life.

“He has transformed and modernised the educational infrastructure in South East St Mary, and he brought roads to areas that only had tracks previously,” Brown said.

Long-time friend and former PNP President Dr Peter Phillips remembered Douglas as a man who was on a mission for the people of St Mary South Eastern when he decided to return to the parish to become part of its rebuilding.

“Undaunted, he planned a media campaign using the talk shows. He was the first caller on Mrs [Barbara] Gloudon’s programme, and when he was finished there he went onto Mr [Wilmot] Perkins,” Phillips said.

He said Douglas used the media to highlight the poor road conditions and water situation in the parish, which led him to win the seat in 1989.

Phillips said he was also impressed with the initiative of having a livestock bank that Douglas introduced to the farmers in his constituency.

He also called for the relevant authorities to rename Annotto Bay High in Douglas’s honour.

“You should know that this idea was put to him early after the school was built, and Harry resisted the idea because he wanted to see that the children would really perform – he never wanted his name to be associated with an underperforming school,” Phillips said.

However, he said that on listening to the principal’s report he concluded that the time has come for the school to be renamed in Douglas’s honour.

— Ingrid Henry