TT mourns Hector McClean

FORMER Speaker of the House of Representatives, the late Hector McClean, had always put the good of Trinidad and Tobago ahead of partisan politics. So explained his son, Bernard McClean, while delivering an appreciation of McClean at his funeral service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral yesterday. McClean had served as a Government minister in a former PNM administration and then as House Speaker in a UNC administration. He had been an attorney in private practice, a judge of the Industrial Court and Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

Members from both sides of the House and the Senate attended his funeral, amid a who’s who of local polity. Present were acting Prime Minister Dr Lenny Saith; Chief Justice, Sat Sharma; former President Arthur NR Robinson; former First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali; former Senate Presidents Ganace Ramdial, Michael J Williams and Emmanuel Carter; and Government ministers and members of the parliamentary Opposition. Bernard McClean said his father was a man of character, who knew what he wanted. Recalling family sing-alongs, Bernard said Hector was a good father and husband, who firmly believed that family was the most important thing. The traits which made him such good family man, said Bernard, also served him well in politics.

“It has always struck me, and has been communicated by his former parliamentary colleagues, that he was a politician not for the sake of politics, not for the sake of any party, not for the sake of notoriety, but for the sake of improving Trinidad and Tobago,” Bernard said. His son said Hector had felt honoured to hold political office which he had viewed as a stewardship whose responsibilities he had never abdicated. While he may have had professional differences of opinion with others, said Bernard, he never allowed these to spoil his interpersonal relationships. “He held no grudges nor ever bore anyone ill will.”

He concluded by leaving the congregation with the greeting which his father would often say: “Peace, and plenty love.” Former Anglican Bishop Rawle Douglin gave the homily. He hailed McClean’s family life as an example for us all to follow, saying: “If family life isn’t right, national life will never be right.” Recalling Jesus Christ saying “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,” he hailed McClean for bring God’s presence to bear on many situations.

Dr Marjorie Thorpe, who was a childhood friend and neighbour also gave a tribute. Current Speaker of the House of Representatives Barendra Sinanan gave the third tribute to his predecessor. “He was fearless in his rulings; he gave fairness to all.” Sinanan recalled seeking advice from McClean who was always generous and enthusiastic in giving it. Sinanan also read out tributes from the CPA secretary general, a former governor general of Bahamas and the Clerk of the House of Commons of Canada."