Prime Minister Freundel Stuart headed a list of dignitaries and calypsonians at the St Mark’s Anglican Church in St John to bid farewell to the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Vere Browne.
Browne, who was also a long-time manager of first the Conquerors, and later the All Stars calypso tents, passed away on August 22, aged 75.
Among others who paid their last respects at yesterday’s funeral service were Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, Minister of Agriculture, Dr David Estwick, former Cabinet Minister, Sir Richard Cheltenham, former calypso monarchs, the Mighty Gabby, John King, Adrian Clarke, Serenader, Colin Spencer, Pompey and Blood.
Members of the music fraternity who bade farewell to Vere Browne
In his eulogy, former Deputy Chairman of the Barbados Industrial Development Corporation (BIDC) Villeneuve Greaves lauded Browne for his outstanding contribution to the growth of Barbados’ small business sector.
He noted that when Browne joined the BIDC handicraft was contributing a mere $89,000 to the national economy, but grew significantly under Browne’s stewardship.
Mighty Gabby pays tribute to Browne
Veteran calypsonians Mighty Gabby and Adrian Clarke paid tribute to Browne in song, recognising his contribution to the development of the island’s arts and culture, while former Chairman of the NCF, Anthony Walrond recited a poem which highlighted Browne’s role in the promotion of the calypso art form. (NC)