Members of the public can pay their respects to the late Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, by signing condolence books in Kingston.

A condolence book is now opened at the People’s National Party (PNP) Headquarters, located at 89 Old Hope Road. Another will be opened at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hope Gardens, on Friday, September 5, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Mr. Clarke died on Thursday, August 28, in Florida, USA. His body will return to the island on Wednesday, September 10.

The official funeral for Mr. Clarke, who was also Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, will take place at the St. George’s Church, Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland on Saturday, September 13, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Glen Islay, Williamsfield, Westmoreland.

Minister Clarke had a successful political career, having won eight elections comprising two Local Government and six General Elections. In 1986, he was elected Councillor for the Balaclava division in St. Elizabeth, and was nominated Mayor of Black River and Chairman of the St. Elizabeth Parish Council.

He was subsequently re-elected in the 1990 Local Government Election, where he continued as Mayor. Mr. Clarke also served a four-year period as President of the Local Government Authorities from 1988 to 1991.

Mr. Clarke was elected Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth in a by-election in 1991. Three months into the job, he was promoted in early 1992 to State Minister for Agriculture, a position he held for three years. In 1995, he was appointed Minister of Local Government and Works.

By 1998, he was back in familiar territory as Minister of Agriculture, where he served until 2007. During that period, he was one of the founding members of the Alliance of Ministers of Agriculture for CARICOM, and served as its Chairman for many years.

On January 6, 2012, Mr. Clarke was re-appointed Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

By Chris Patterson