Closed casket doesn’t bother Seaga supporters - Scores come out to celebrate ‘Father’ Eddie

Yesterday, scores of persons gathered at the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) headquarters on Belmont Road to pay their final respects to former Prime Minister Edward Seaga.

As persons saw the casket draped with the Jamaican flag, a few shed tears, but for the majority, the occasion was more of a celebration of the life of an extraordinary man.

Wheelchair user and single amputee Leaford Fairclough said that he is a loyal supporter of the JLP/Edward Seaga, so it was extremely important for him to be there at the viewing.

Like most persons present, Fairclough said he was not upset at the family's decision to have a closed casket viewing.

"It didn't matter to me if they open the casket or not. Matter of fact, the body coulda stay, because to me it's the man behind the body. Mr Seaga was a great man who invested his life in this country. He is the person who build the Golden Age Home that I now live in, in Vineyard Town," he said.

Before viewing the casket of the former minister, persons also stopped to sign a condolence book.

A group of women told THE STAR that they had sneaked away from work for a few hours just to bid farewell to Seaga, who they described as a 'father' figure.

"I was a baby when he came into power, but I know of his good works. When my mother had cancer and had lost her sight, he came to visit her and was even on our varendah. All of the schools that I attended were built by him, so let's just say he is the one who was responsible for my education," one of them said.

A strong contingent of government officials was also seen at yesterday's viewing. The 89-year old former leader died in the US on May 28.

Last night, a nine-night was held in Tivoli Gardens Square.