Charles Lindsay Bolden was remembered on Wednesday as a fearless advocate, a compassionate mentor, and a voice for justice whose quiet generosity touched countless lives at the official funeral service for the former Labour Party Cabinet minister, parliamentarian and Speaker of the House of the Assembly.
In a heartfelt tribute to his late friend at the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens and Crematorium in Christ Church, Gline Clarke, Barbados’ High Commissioner to Canada, described Bolden as a man of principle, courage, and compassion who left a lasting impact on the nation.
“He was a man who spoke his mind. He didn’t use flowery language,” Clarke remarked. “Bolden did not just speak his mind for his constituents; he did the same for those in the legal profession, always standing firm on his beliefs.”
In her tribute to Bolden, Prime Minister Mia Mottley remembered him as both a dedicated politician and a mentor to many. She spoke of his deep connection to the Barbadian community and his unwavering commitment to public service.
“Lindsay was of that generation of Barbadian politicians who was born of the community he served and reflected it in everything he did. His generosity was legendary, though it wasn’t always publicised,” she recalled. “He did it quietly, not seeking recognition or a photo op in the paper. His philanthropy was seen in the way he helped others, behind the scenes.”
The prime minister also reflected on the challenging years in politics, during the party’s struggles in the years before gaining power in 1976 and in the late 1980s when the party was out of government after two terms.
She said: “I joined the Labour Party in 1986 after we had just lost the election, and as a young member, I was regaled with stories of the previous generation of politicians. Before there were the ‘three blind mice’ of 1986, there were six in 1971. Tom Adams became leader of the opposition, and with him were Burton Hinds, Lionel Craig, Sir Henry Forde, my father, Elliott Mottley, and Lindsay Bolden. These six men literally held the government to account in ways that have become legendary.”
In a moving tribute, Bolden’s daughter Carolyn expressed her deep gratitude for the honour bestowed upon her father, expressing her father’s love for his family and for Barbados.
“Our father loved us dearly and delighted in each of our achievements, big or small,” she said. “He raised us to be fiercely independent, to be ourselves, and to pursue what made us happy.”
She also described her father as a man of quiet generosity and kindness. “He had a unique gift for making those around him feel special and important,” Carolyn said. “He craved human connection. Our home was always full of friends, family, and politicians from both sides of the aisle. It was loud with laughter and debate, and I learned so much from the spirited conversations. No matter how strongly he and his friends disagreed, the evening always ended with a laugh, a drink, and a promise to continue the discussion next time.”
Bolden became a prominent attorney-at-law, later being appointed Queen’s Counsel in recognition of his expertise and dedication to the legal profession in a career spanning more than 40 years on several notable legal cases.
He was first elected to the House of Assembly in the by-election of 1970, taking over the constituency of St Joseph on the retirement of BLP founding member and former premier Sir Grantley Adams. Reelected in 1976 when the BLP swept to power under Tom Adams, he served as minister of agriculture and later as House Speaker from 1984 to 1986.
Bolden, who died on November 10, leaves to mourn widow Anne Marie Bolden, daughters Carolyn and Cheryl Bolden, brother Belfield Bolden, and several extended family members, including Cyle Johnson, Barbara Connell, Monica Springer, Sybil Bolden, Kathleen Greenidge, and Gloria McConney.
(LG)
