Emotional goodbye

Tears, memories, tributes at Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford state funeral By Emmanuel Joseph This country’s fourth Prime Minister and a champion of educational development for the masses was laid in his final resting place on an overcast Friday following a near seven-hour procession and funeral service. Following his casket’s journey to the north from the Paramount Funeral Home on Hindsbury Road, St Michael on the southwestern side of the island, Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford’s body was interred at the St James Cemetery, about a mile and a half from his Porters, St James birthplace. Draped in the Barbados flag, the casket made its way along the west coast with a stop at Battaleys, St Peter where it was transferred from hearse to gun carriage. A stone’s throw away from Alexandra Secondary School, the cortege was joined by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Cabinet members and other dignitaries. Workers from nearby businesses and other Barbadians, some waving the national flag, lined the way. The number of onlookers increased from small groups of residents outside the funeral home and on the way to the St Peter Parish Church, to scores once the procession reached the rural towns of Holetown and Speightstown en route to the cemetery some six hours later. In honour of Sir Lloyd the educator, children from various schools across the island representing paramilitary groups, individual high achievers, as well as a contingent from the Barbados Youth Service formed honour guards along the streets, particularly on the northern route. While the faces of scores who lined the streets did not generally reflect a state of a sorrowful nation, many whipped out their smartphones to capture the moment for posterity. Inside the St Peter Parish Church where the service was conducted, the mood was more sombre. In her tribute to the late leader, Prime Minister Mia Mottley struggled to fight back the tears as she neared the end of her reflection of Sir Lloyd, recalling the kind of man he was. “A man so meticulous in his attention to detail, so deliberately precise in his wishes, that this very funeral service which we are now attending was scripted by him, in his own hand, in every detail. May his legacy continue to inspire for generations to come. Garth [son], Inga [daughter], Lady Sandiford, it would not be possible for me to stand here without invoking Sherryann’s [late daughter] memory,” she said before having to compose herself. As her voice cracked and trembled, the prime minister tried to conclude her tribute. “On behalf of our country… on behalf of our Government…,” she managed before having to pause before making another attempt. “On behalf of my own family…,” Mottley said before her voice broke two more times. “We thank you for sharing this outstanding human being. And I say to you, may he through the gracious mercies of Almighty God, rest in peace.” There was another moving moment when Sir Lloyd’s son Garth Sandiford delivered the eulogy and shared a brief personal experience of his parents. “This past year, my parents celebrated 60 years of marriage. They have been through many things together as a couple. And I think the hardest thing they endured was the sudden loss of my sister, Sherryann almost 10 years ago. Family is important to my father, and our home is the place where our family gathers. I am grateful that both his parents got to see this significant part of his life and his accomplishments,” an emotional Garth said. “We learned from his example that caring for your parents is as important as anything else. As he cared for his parents, we also cared for him,” he told the congregation that included President, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, Cabinet Ministers, former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and ex-ministers of the Democratic Labour Party administration Chris Sinckler, Richard Sealy, Dr David Estwick, Haynesley Benn, George Hutson, Ronald Jones and Maizie Barker-Welch. Sandiford also suggested that the Barbados Community College (BCC) which his late dad founded be renamed after him, describing him as the Education Minister of Barbados. The sermon, which was delivered by Anglican cleric Reverend Dr Marcus Lashley also ignited its own touch of emotion when he singled out individual family members to convey special messages. Dr Lashley told Sir Lloyd’s widow that after “nursing” and caring for him, it was now time to care for herself. “You were a wonderful nurse, a friend, a companion to your beloved Erskine. You cared for him to the end. And now it is time to care for yourself,” the priest said. Turning to the late leader’s daughter, he said: “Inga, it is hard to know what it must have been like to be so far away from your dad and only receive occasional reports over the phone and be able to speak to him live and in living colour through technology.” To Garth, he said: “That interval which you spent after returning to Barbados to care for your parents, is truly a gift from God…. It’s something I know you will now look back on and cherish.” After the service, as the cortege wound its way gently along The Garden, Jamestown and through Sunset Crest, people who remembered Sir Lloyd and young children who may not have, were out in their numbers. Young members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) stood stoic with heads bowed on either side of the road that led to the cemetery.  Further along that street, other young paramilitary corps and school students joined the honour guard. As the procession moved slowly and deliberately along the route, some invitees and others disembarked their vehicles and ran to the gravesite where wreaths were laid by Sir Lloyd’s widow, Prime Minister Mottley, Sir Lloyd’s daughter, son, grandchildren and other relatives, Stuart and other dignitaries. Before the casket was lowered into the grave, the flag that draped it was removed, folded and presented to Lady Sandiford in honour of her late husband’s tremendous service to the country. The body was then committed to the earth followed by a three-volley gun salute, and the band of the Royal Barbados Police Service played the Last Post ending with Reveille. emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb ]]>