MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Former Member of Parliament Dean Peart was on Sunday hailed as the visionary behind the development of community centres across Manchester North Western.

His cousin, Councillor Ryan Peart (People’s National Party, Spur Tree division) said the elder Peart built 13 community centres in the four divisions — New Green, Mile Gully, Spur Tree and John’s Hall — in the constituency.

“He was one of the few politicians who you could see the work that he has done even years back when he left politics,” said Ryan Peart.

“In terms of infrastructure [including] community centres…. Ninety per cent of the community centres in North West Manchester were built by Dean Peart. He improved basic school right across the four divisions,” added Ryan Peart.

Dean Peart passed on Sunday morning. He was 77 years old.

The elder Peart, who also served as a Cabinet minister, led at various times the ministries of labour, environment and lands, and local government. He is also a former mayor of Mandeville.

He was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western in 1989, and won the constituency for the PNP five times on the trot, before retiring in the lead-up to the December 2011 elections.

“Today is a very sad day for the Peart’s family and the extended family and Jamaica on a whole. We have lost a great man, a political giant. He was a pillar, a mentor and a strong foundation in our family. He was our main motivator for entering politics, because we wanted to carry on the legacy of his work and the love he had for the people,” said Ryan Peart.

“He was loved and appreciated by comrades and labourites on a whole,” added the councillor.

His brother Adion Peart, who switched allegiance from the PNP to the Jamaica Labour Party, also paid tribute.

“As we the family mourn the passing of Mr Peart we all feel it… Everybody in Jamaica is saddened by this news. He has been our main motivator politically and he always encouraged us to do the right thing and keep us close as family. We spoke almost everyday,” said Adion Peart.

— Kasey Williams