Former deputy Senate president Greenidge dies at 77

udolph Nathaniel Cappy Greenidge, a former deputy President of the Senate and Cabinet minister in the Owen Arthur administration, died on Friday at his home in Marley Vale, St Philip. He was 77.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley led tributes to the respected former St Philip North MP, describing him as “a gentle giant” in an emotional statement.

“A man who respected friend and foe alike, who never raised his voice in anger and from whose lips never an expletive could emerge,” said Mottley. “He was the epitome of traditional Barbadian country folk, and the consummate ‘Philippine’, who was born in Marley Vale, grew up in Marley Vale, and as fate would have it, departed this life a resident of Marley Vale.”

Greenidge, who represented St Philip North for nine years from 1994 until 2003 on a Barbados Labour Party ticket, also held the portfolios of labour, education, youth affairs and sports in Arthur’s administration in the first two terms in office.

Before entering politics, Greenidge was regarded as an outstanding teacher. He taught at several secondary schools, including Princess Margaret, St Leonard’s Boys’ and St George, as well as in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands. In 1983, he attended Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica and was admitted to the Bar in 1985, later becoming a senior counsel.

Prime Minister Mottley noted that Greenidge came from humble beginnings and was proud of his heritage. “When I said above that Cappy represented the values that distinguished Barbadian country folks, there is one over-arching fact that seals that in my mind. He respected and obeyed his parents to the letter,” she said.

She continued: “I am told that his mother, Elma Clarke — known across the district affectionately as ‘Nana’ — constantly reinforced in him that he should never let law or politics change him. And that was precisely how he lived — a gentleman until the very end.”

Greenidge’s contributions extended beyond politics and education. He was also a proud cricketer for St Catherine’s Club and later served as the club’s president.

Two years ago, Greenidge’s public service was recognised when he became one of the first recipients of the Order of the Republic for his distinguished contribution to education, both locally and abroad, as well as his many years of dedicated and exemplary service to sports, civic and public life, and national development.

“I am proud to have served with and beside Rudolph Cappy Greenidge, and on behalf of the government and people of Barbados,” Mottley said.

He is survived by his children Nadya and Clive, brothers Carlisle and Henderson and sisters Eleanor and Cecile.

Greenidge is to be accorded an official funeral as a former Member of Parliament, following consultations with his family, the PM said.