Patriot, nation builder, champion of the poor

IT IS said that “A great man is one who leaves others at a loss, after he is gone.”

Our sense of loss is acute as we mourn the passing of a stalwart, a nation builder, a patriot, and a champion of the poor. We feel deeply the loss of a man who was much more than partisan politics, but who believed in Jamaica and her people, and served both with a passion and dedication that is at least worthy of emulation, and at best legendary.

Comrade Easton Douglas, epitomised the saying, ‘He loves his country best, who strives to make it best’.

He was always of the view that everything must be done to improve the living and working conditions of Jamaicans. He was not only a man of words, he was also a man of action.

I was proud to call him Comrade, having served with him for many years in the PNP Officer Corps. He served the party as a vice-president and was part of the election machinery that took the party to victory for consecutive terms.

The distinct honour was mine to call him colleague as a member of the Cabinet, first in his capacity as minister of health and the public service, then as minister of housing, land and the environment under the regimes of the Michael Manley and P.J. Patterson.

As the elected member of parliament for South East St Andrew from 1989 until his retirement from Parliament in 2002, he served his constituents faithfully and with distinction. Being the man of integrity he was, Easton would have it no other way. It is noteworthy that one of the ways his legacy will live on is through his daughter, Kari, who is now a councillor there.

MORE THAN PARTY

But for Easton, there was a much higher cause than party. His devotion to nation building was evident when he served as permanent secretary under the Bruce Golding administration, the other side of the political divide, in the ministries of National Security, Defence and Construction (Housing and Works).

Easton was by profession, a land surveyor and urban planner whose career was to stand him in good stead as he worked to empower ordinary Jamaicans and enable them to say the words ‘I own’ a piece of the rock.

Operation PRIDE, which sought to provide low-income housing for the poor, was one of his flagship programmes, and was an attempt to deal with the spate of unplanned developments springing up around the country, which he detested. Well do I remember his phrase “Spontaneous Settlements”; he did not like the word squatters.

When he left the political arena, he continued to ensure that Jamaicans could have access to affordable housing through his service as Chairman of the National Housing Trust (NHT).

For his efforts and achievements on behalf of Jamaica and her people, he was deservedly awarded the Order of Jamaica

Articulate, personable, brilliant, and dapper, passionate about his country, a true son of the soil, I have called Easton a colleague and Comrade, but even more than that, he was my friend. Well do I remember our tennis matches together and post lunches on the veranda at Liguanea Club. I also recall the camaraderie that we shared on the campaign trail. Today, I proudly represent the constituency from which he originated, North West St Catherine.

To his family, I know that there are no words that can soften the blow at this time, and indeed it is our natural state to mourn those who are nearest and dearest to us when they depart this earthly plane. The memories, particularly of those we love, are forever and a person’s presence is measured by the space their absence creates.

For my part, having exceeding the biblical allotment by over a decade, Easton’s departure should not be one of mourning but rather one of celebration.

What I can advise you to do is to cherish his memory, and lean on your faith to get through this difficult time.

As Psalm 147 Verse 3 promises, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

May God comfort you and give you strength, and may his soul rest in peace.

Walk good, my Comrade and friend.

ROBERT PICKERSGILL