Offord Morris paved the way for ULP in South Central Windward – Gonsalves

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves said it was former member of Parliament for South Central Windward, Offord Morris who paved the way for the success of Selmon Walters and later, Saboto Caesar in the constituency on the Unity Labour Party ticket.

Gonsalves was among persons who paid tribute to Morris at his funeral service at the St Matthew Anglican church at Biabou on Friday July 26, 2024. It was preceded hours before by tributes in the House of Assembly at Glen where the body lay in State for public viewing.

Morris, who died at the age of 95 at his home on July 10, was accorded an official funeral.

Speaking about Walters and Caesar, Gonsalves said “they would not have been successful if it wasn’t for Offord Morris who laid the foundation”.

“In South Central Windward, I know how Labour bread butter,” Gonsalves declared.

Caesar, who is this country’s Minister of Agriculture is the present representative for South Central Windward, which was represented by Selmon Walters from 2001 to 2010.

Offord Morris represented that constituency for the St Vincent Labour Party from 1979 to 1984.

Gonsalves said Morris made a tremendous contribution to that constituency and his memorials are written on the hearts of the people.

The prime minister recalled that Offord, his brother Lennus and the Morris family made an immense contribution to St Vincent and the Grenadines also in business and public transportation.

He described Offord as selfless and extremely generous.

“For all his life, it’s like he ran a Social Welfare Department.”

Gonsalves also recalled Morris giving of whatever he had and using his personal vehicle as an “ambulance service” whenever persons in Lowmans Windward fell ill.

Describing the former politician as being of a stoic nature, Gonsalves said “Offord faced his end with a patience and a calm”.

The eulogy was done by Morris’ niece, Narissa Morris who recalled that his life “ was one of community leadership, and people sought him out for just about everything in their daily living”.

When he won the election in 1979, he defeated the other two candidates James Mitchell, and Ebenezer Theodore Joshua who were both leaders of political parties.

Morris was raised in Lowmans Windward but spent the latter part of his life in Bridgetown, Biabou where he resided since 2022.

The sermon was delivered by Anglican Bishop, Leopold Friday.