Oliver Fredrick Clarke

THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | C6 P O LIVER CLARKE was a remarkable man. He was one of that great post-independence generation of Jamaicans in public life. I first met him, over 30 years ago, as a new British member of parliament. I was young, radical, a committed socialist and a big admirer of the former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley. Oliver Clarke, by contrast, was conservative to the bone and a leading antagonist of the Manley administration. But, despite having very different views politically, Oliver and I got on well almost from the beginning, and we stayed in touch down the years. Over time, I grew to admire and respect him. Oliver was a genuinely patriotic Jamaican. He was such a strong charismatic character I can’t quite believe that I will never see him again. Oliver Clarke was many things: a businessman, a media owner and a political actor, but above all, he was a faithful servant of his country. Rest in power, Oliver. DIANE ABBOTT, MP British Labour Party A atriotic Jamaican Clarke – One of Jamaica’s best I AM saddened by, for me, the unexpected passing of the Honourable Oliver Clarke. I wish to express sincere condolences to his family and to The Gleaner group. I was always impressed by his cordial and polished attitude. He was a good example of civility. Our occasional meeting, such as the last time at the Mandeville Flower Show, always resulted in the exchange of much humour. May his soul rest in eternal peace. SEYMOUR PANTON, OJ, CD A good example of ivility C W ANY TRIBUTE to Oliver Clarke should not depart from his renowned trademark: the sharp, critical mind, spiced with a mischievous ‘wicked wit’ and gentle charm of character. So deeply embedded were these effervescent elements, it’s now challenging imagining the end of Oliver’s innings at the wicket. In recent years, he batted brilliantly for The University of the West Indies (UWI). There were several invitations to his famed Gleaner breakfast meetings to share and discuss The UWI’s strategies and resource needs with stakeholders. We appreciated the many meals over which we mulled over the details of our strategic plan. ‘OFC’ came on board to support our industry-academic partnership and our preparations to take The UWI to market in search of private-sector investment. A high point in proof of our partnering came in 2018. His commitment was tested. He rose beyond the parameters of our request and offered us the opportunity for the university to showcase its enormous legacy during its 70th anniversary. The university was offered full editorial freedom over a Gleaner supplement that enabled it to tell its story and to project its thinking about the future. Oliver didn’t suffer foolishness in his rush to support and promote good works. In this regard, he was an effective adviser and a reliable ally. Private business was his life and hallmark. The university, he urged, should build a two-way bridge to business. We were bonded in our commitment to this project. And what a gentleman. No dinner or lunch to which he was invited went by for long without the host receiving a card of appreciation. I shall miss this hugely misunderstood man. And so, far too soon, the ‘wicked wit’ man left the wicket. What an outstanding innings played for his family, country, and region! PROFESSOR SIR HILARY BECKLES Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies The ‘wicked wit’ man has left the icket Jimmy Carter (left), former US President and president of the Carter Centre, meets Jamaica Ambassador to the US Richard Bernal (centre) who represented Prime Minister P. J. Patterson at the three-day conference on Transparency for Growth in the Americas in 1999. Also in the picture is chairman and managingdirector of TheGleaner Company and former President of the Inter AmericanPress Association, Oliver Clarke. GLEANER ARCHIVES