Former parliamentarian Conrad Sayers is laid to rest

by Eldonté Samuel

Former Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown, Conrad Sayers was laid to rest yesterday, Monday January 29, 2024 following a funeral service at the Kingstown Baptist Church; and many who attended his funeral described Sayers as a ‘man of the lord’.

The funeral service was preceded by tributes from former Parliamentary colleagues and other mourners as the body lay for public viewing in the temporary Parliament Building at Calliaqua.

Presenting the eulogy on behalf of Sayers’ best friend, Bishop Amos Dennie, was his daughter Sheridan Dennie-Edwards who shared the many memories made by the duo.

“Conrad was a hard worker with a love for God that he served with unwavering passion,” Dennie-Edwards said.
She said her father and Sayers both decided to become members of the Kingstown Evangelical Church at the same time, were part of various teams, and they ultimately became best friends.

“Conrad Sayers was deeply involved in the proclamation of God and firmly believed that his word is the only way to bring people together,” Dennie-Edwards related to the full church, and those who followed the service on the outside. She said Sayers then felt he had a calling in politics and served as Parliamentary representative for the constituency of Central Kingstown having been elected for two terms on a Unity Labour Party ticket.

“He was a caring person, one that loved people and loved God; his love for God and people was the driving force in his life,” said Dennie-Edwards.

She said Sayers called Dennie two days before going to hospital and told him “If I don’t see you down here, I will meet you up there”.

Edward also shared a memory from Sayers’ brother, who recounted that Conrad was the first member of his family to accept Christ while still a youth; this then encouraged the brother and other siblings to give their lives to Christ as well.

“Conrad taught Sunday school in our neighbourhood, and several persons are serving Christ because of the seeds that were sown by him,” Dennie-Edwards recounted.

On a lighter side she shared that Sayers was involved in weight lifting and also engaged in other physical activities with his friends. He also had a love for books which led to him advancing himself in higher education.

Some time after his departure from active politics, Sayers lost his sight but this did not stop him from assisting persons in need.

“Conrad was generous and helpful, often giving to those who needed assistance for their children’s education or to make ends meet,” Dennie-Edwards further stated in the eulogy.

She said Conrad Sayers lived a life of purpose, passion and love; memories that will last a lifetime for others.

“Our dear friend whose absence now casts a shadow upon our hearts was a beacon of light and joy in the lives he touched and we miss him dearly.”

Among those who paid open tributes were Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves; a representative of the Online Engagement for Kingdom Impact (OEKI); Al Davy; and violinist Samuel Toka who paid tribute in song on his violin.

Prime Minister Gonsalves reminisced about the time Sayers became involved in active party politics. He said that Sayers retired early from the public service at the age of 52 to contest the Central Kingstown seat in 2001 for the Unity Labour Party (ULP).

“We must remember, in 2001 he beat two formidable figures in Central Kingstown,” the Prime Minister said, noting that Sayers won against the likes of Ken Boyea, who was a member of the ULP but left the party and “he thought maybe the votes belonged to him”.

Sayers also won against veteran trade unionist Joseph “Burns” Bonadie, who was “running then for the New Democratic Party.…He (Conrad), defeated them”.

The Prime Minister also recounted that Sayers also defeated St Clair ‘Major’ Leacock in 2005, however, Leacock later won the seat, not defeating Sayers who only served two terms.

“I can’t imagine how it feels that somebody who defeated you is now in a casket,” remarked the PM.

Dr Cecil Richards was the officiating pastor and delivered the homily. Richard also led the funeral procession to the Kingstown Cemetery for the interment.

The day’s proceedings began with the official viewing at the House of Assembly where officials, dignitaries and the general public filed past the casket to pay their last respects.