Legal pioneer, politician, diplomat Sir Henry laid to rest

undreds of mourners across generations, from young faces to those lined with age, gathered on Thursday at the Christ Church Parish Church to pay their final respects to the late distinguished lawyer, former attorney general and opposition leader, Sir Henry deBoulay Forde, who spent decades shaping the legal and political landscape of Barbados.

 

Remembered for an unwavering commitment to justice and his influential reforms, Forde died on October 15 at age 91.

 

As the cortege moved with quiet dignity, a classic black hearse bearing the body of the former leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) led a motorcade from the Downes and Wilson Funeral Home in Eagle Hall,  through The City to Broad Street and Bay Street, passing Garrison and Dalkeith Road; through Golf Club Road, Rendezvous Hill, Sargeant’s Village, and the ABC Highway before arriving for the service at Church Hill.

 

The polished mahogany casket was adorned with a cascade of vibrant yellow roses, delicate chrysanthemums, and graceful lilies.

 

Despite the heat, mourners clad in black made their way inside the church, the bright, sunny sky casting a warm glow over the gathering—a stark contrast to the solemn faces below, especially that of Sir Henry’s widow, Cheryl Lady Forde, and sons, Martyn and Ryan, who stood by the casket in quiet but visible grief.

 

The Barbados Defence Force Band ushered in the mourners with popular renditions such as Josh Groban’s You Raise Me Up as they paid their final respects.

 

For some, Sir Henry was a steadfast and influential leader who strictly upheld the law, but for Martyn and Ryan, who delivered a bittersweet remembrance filled with heartfelt reflections and touches of humour, he was a “hero” they got to call Dad.

 

In his tribute, Martyn shared a poem entitled Valiant he wrote by his father’s bedside on the day he passed.
“You fight without a sword, you shout without a noise. Father, your spirit had a presence. You loved without condition, always moving forward. Bravely sharing your strength, humour, time and reassurance, it was an honour to be with you.”

 

Ryan declared that they were proud to be Henry Forde’s sons.

 

“We were privileged to have such a great legend of a man lead our family, support all our dreams and raise us to treat persons with the same level of respect and if possible give opportunity to some who may not have and also guide younger persons to believe in themselves,” he said.

 

Prime Minister Mia Mottley also delivered a poignant tribute, reflecting on Sir Henry’s significant contributions to Barbados as an attorney general, statesman and patriot.

She highlighted his profound influence, describing him as a man who embodied integrity and commitment.

“As I look at this congregation, I see the tapestry of his life, the influence of his care and his voice,” she said.

 

She emphasised the role he played in shaping a young, post-independence Barbados, citing his legislative achievements that transformed colonial laws into platforms for empowerment and inclusion.

 

Among his groundbreaking work was the Succession Act, which ended the illegitimacy of children born out of wedlock, and the Family Law Act, which redefined family structures beyond the church.

Mottley also spoke highly of Sir Henry’s significant impact on gender equality, recalling his establishment of the Commission on the Status of Women.

 

“We take for granted today that women can hold positions of authority, but back then, women’s rights were limited,” she noted, lauding his vision for a progressive Barbados.

 

In her tribute, Mottley acknowledged Sir Henry’s leadership of the BLP during difficult times, particularly after the 24-3 electoral defeat in 1986, noting that despite the adversity, he persevered, rebuilding the party with steadfast resolve.

 

The PM credited his efforts as instrumental in shaping the party’s future and, by extension, the nation’s.

 

Further describing Forde as “a selfless man” she noted that “though never prime minister, he will forever stand as a beacon of excellence and integrity,” adding that his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb