OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Politicians from Jamaica’s two major political parties were among admirers who on Wednesday celebrated the life of Norris “Deedo” Nembhard, a man the US labelled a drug kingpin in 2004 and later successfully prosecuted.

“Since Deedo’s death, every event we see people come out from all corners of this country. I saw someone at his candlelight ceremony and he said to me, ‘I don’t know government, I know Deedo.’ So that shows and make you reflect on what he did to make people feel that way,” said People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Ann South Eastern Dr Kenneth Russell.

Russell was among mourners who hailed Nembhard as a community stalwart and family man during a homegoing service held at Faith Tabernacle Church in Claremont, St Ann.

Nembhard, who was well known in the parish, operated a trucking and construction company for years before being extradited to the United States in 2008. Four years earlier, then-US President George W Bush had designated Nembhard and Montego Bay businessman Leebert Ramcharan “drug kingpins” under the US Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.

US prosecutors successfully argued that Nembhard was a major participant in the international drug trade between Jamaica and Colombia and sentenced him to 13 years in jail. It was later reduced to nine years.

On Wednesday, however, the focus was on Nembhard’s good deeds.

“Deedo’s name came up as a constant everywhere you go. Any problem they have people would turn to Deedo, even where Government was not delivering,” said state minister in the Ministry of Finance and Member of Parliament for St Ann South Western Zavia Mayne.

“The people believed in him. Even with the business he operated, people believed that once they turn to him — whatever their needs were — Deedo had the solutions. So today we are saying goodbye to a great man who has made a positive mark on this society,” Mayne, a member of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), added.

His fellow Labourite, Member of Parliament for St Ann North Western Krystal Lee, spoke of how much people relied on Nembhard for help.

“When people talk about Deedo, they talk about his kindness. People will remember being able to take up their phones and call him when they needed to hear a good word. He was a businessman that people could call on in the constituency, and he would do very good work,” she said.

Nembhard died at the age of 72, reportedly from a stroke.

His daughter, Sofya Nembhard, eulogised him as someone who was passionate about family.

“My dad was a rock that we all leaned on, a leader and hard worker that provided for his family and made us all feel special,” she said.

Residents of Woodstock, St Ann, where Nembhard was born and spent his early years, also spoke glowingly about his contributions to the community.

Norris “Deedo” Nembhard’s daughter Sofya about to place a wreath on his grave. She eulogised him as someone who was passionate about family. (Photo: Akera Davis)

NEMBHARD… operated a trucking and construction company for years before being extradited to the United States in 2008