Large numbers attend funeral of Clarence Keizer

Throngs of mourners converged at the St Georges Cathedral on Monday November 9, 2009 to pay their final respects to one of this nation’s unsung heroes, Clarence Keizer.{{more}}

The large funeral was attended by close friends, family and government officials including, Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste, Deputy Prime Minister Luis Straker, Eloise Gonsalves, wife of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Keizer passed away peacefully at his home in New Montrose on November 2, 2009 at the age of 79.

The congregation sang hymns lustily at Keizer’s graveside in the churchyard while others wept openly as they said goodbye to a national stalwart.

Delivering the Eulogy, daughter Andrea Bowman spoke about her father overcoming adversity at a young age and his journey to becoming a successful man.

Bowman said Keizer’s affable character was one that kept the family together but he remained a protective father who approached his children’s upbringing in a very practical manner.

Reverend Sylvanus Regisford delivered the sermon.

In 1973, Keizer succeeded Mr. Edward ‘Ted’ Box as Manager of Geest Industries. He was also a council member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority, representing Geest until his retirement. He then became the Executive Director of the SVG Shipping Association and he represented this association on the Port Authority.

He was a director, then chairman of the St. Vincent Building and Loan Association and he later became the deputy chairman of the Caribbean Employees Confederation. In 1983 he was awarded an OBE.

He retired from Geest in 1993 and after spending 35 years with a company.

Keizer leaves behind to mourn, his wife of 61 years, founding Editor of Searchlight newspaper, Norma Keizer and father of current Chief Executive Officer and Acting Editor Clare Keizer of Interactive Media Limited.

Keizer’s other children are: Jacqueline Keizer in the UK; Jeannine James-Williams in Montreal; Andrea Bowman, Dr Simone Keizer-Beache and Dr Colette Thompson.