KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other ministers of government are now gathered at the University of the West Indies Chapel for the funeral of former Senate President Oswald Harding.

The long-serving senator passed away on June 25 at 90 years old, prompting an outpouring of condolences.

Born on November 3, 1935, he was not only the longest-serving senator in Jamaica’s history, but also the first president of the Senate to serve two non-consecutive terms, holding the position from 1980 to 1984 and again from 2007 to 2011.

In 1986, he was appointed minister of justice and also became the attorney general of Jamaica.

Minister of Finance Fayval Williams and Minister of Education Dana Morris Dixon are present at the thanksgiving service, alongside the People’s National Party’s Peter Phillips and Donna Scott Mottley, who is representing Opposition Leader Mark Golding.

Commenting on Harding’s service to the country in the days following his death, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie had said: “The late Oswald Harding, whom many of us affectionately called Ossie, gave yeoman service to the Jamaica Labour Party. He also served Jamaica across several sectors. He was deeply committed to nation-building and genuinely believed in giving priority to initiatives that were in Jamaica’s best interest. We hail his contribution as being impactful, significant and worthy of emulation.”

Harding is to be interred privately.