Former and current members of Barbados’ “political elite”
turned out in their numbers today at St George’s Parish Church
to bid farewell to one of their fallen brothers former Cabinet
member, Cyril Walker.
Among those who attended the funeral service and burial
were: Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and several members
of his Cabinet; Opposition Leader Mia Mottley; members of
the Senate; former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Erskine Sandiford;
former Deputy Prime Minister Philip Greaves; former Cabinet
minister in a Democratic Labour Party administration, Sir
Wesley Hall; former Cabinet ministers in Barbados Labour
Party administrations, Sir Richard Cheltenham and Sir Louis
Tull and former Cabinet minister, Joseph Johnny Tudor and
Barbados’ latest national honouree, Dame Maisie Barker-Welch.
In a moving tribute to her late father, Susan Walker-
McDonald, recalled that even though they lived miles apart he
had an undying love for her and she for him.
She further recalled that he always ended their telephone
conversations with her with the moving words: “I love you.”
She also told the congregation the joy he felt when she gained
a place at his alma mater Combermere School.
In his eulogy, former diplomat, Besley Maycock, told the
congregation that Walker was true to himself and always
seemed to be very comfortable in his skin.
“I saw him interacting with staff, with students, with
parents, with teachers, with political colleagues ( as well as
opponents) and with the monarch; and if an onlooker could
see him only, and not the person with whom he was dealing
it would have been impossible to determine whether it was
Queen or Commoner,” Maycock said.
Maycock further noted that despite his imposing
physical presence and the matching stentorian voice he was
a gentle soul.
Meanwhile, in delivering his homily, rector of the church,
the Reverend Canon Gregston Gooding, encouraged Walker’s
surviving relatives to take comfort from the fact that he has
gone to a place where there is no more pain
nor death. (NC)