Accolades flow for late Charles Moore

ENTREPRENEUR extraordinaire. Gentleman. Sartorial general. Friend. Husband. Daddy.

These were some of the adjectives used to describe the late Charles Alexander Moore, who was yesterday remembered by a packed Boulevard Baptist Church congregation as a man whose deep hue was impervious to social pressures that might have marginalised black entrepreneurs.

Moore, who was the owner of Moore Transport Services, which provided transportation within the Corporate Area, was described by People’s National Party (PNP) President Dr Peter Phillips as a man from a generation of pioneers who was influenced by the values and ideals of deceased National Hero Norman Washington Manley.

“Comrade Charlie Moore, as he was affectionately called, started his political activism in the early 1940s as a youth and was enthralled by N.W. Manley’s oratory and ideology … who distinguished himself in the service of the party for over 70 years and was honoured with life membership … ,” Phillips said.

CELEBRATED IN TRIBUTES

Moore, who died on March 23, six months shy of his 88th birthday, was celebrated in tributes by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, former prime ministers P.J. Patterson – whose message was presented audiovisually – and Portia Simpson Miller, whose message was read by Kingston Eastern Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell; among others.

Sir Patrick said one of the remarkable attributes of the late businessman was his organised mind.

“His patriotism ensured that the economic and social progress of the people was at the heart of his engagement in voluntary service, whether it involved philanthropy, political action, mentoring youth, or service club activity,” the governor general said.

Prime Minister Holness called Moore a passionate nation builder and a well-known and astute businessman who was inducted into the Order of Distinction, Commander Class in 2005.

A TRUE COMRADE

Simpson Miller called him a personal and special friend, and true Comrade who was a faithful supporter of the PNP, while Patterson said Moore was undeterred by disappointments, and for whom failure was not an option.

Franklin Reid, president of the Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew, said Moore was a dresser of much repute, suave, classy and debonair. The congregation was moved to laughter when he said some were worried that he would hang in his sleep because he always wore a tie, to which Reid quipped that they should not worry because he only slept in a bow tie.

Moore’s daughter Marie remembered him “as one who always made them know their worth, and always had their backs”.

He was survived by wife Bernice, six children, brother Stanley, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. His body was interred in the Red Hills Cemetery.