11th August 2007

Sam Ferguson was not a hypocrite.  He did not say one thing and mean another. He was just as you saw him.  He was a supporter of the Progressive Liberal Party and he did not hide that.  He did not mince words either. He supported his party.  He supported the party’s candidate.  He asked his family to do so. He taught his children that this was the right way.  That there could be no turning back.

So on the night when we lost the election of 2nd May this year, the first person that I thought about was Mr. Ferguson.  What was he thinking?  What would he say? I thought to myself that we had let so many of our supporters down like him because we had not held on to the government.  That they had struggled with us to bring us to majority rule in 1967, people of modest means but brave hearts and great expectations.  The golden age of the PLP was lost when Sir Lynden lost the election in 1992.  We had by the grace of God and a lot of heard work, recaptured the Government in 2002, and the best trained generation could not hold on to it for more than five years. I was mortified and I still am.

I had this great sense of letting people like Mr. Ferguson down. I knew that in the ten years from 1992 to 2002, many of our stalwart councilors had died waiting for us to return to office.  I thought how many more will not make it before we can win office again.

When I did see him again, he sent for me, he was disappointed to say the least but he was not blaming anyone.  In stead he was philosophical about it but what I do know is that he never wavered.  He never sought to duck and dodge.  You know in our country as soon as it is perceived that you are not part of the popular side then people start to duck and dodge, bob and weave, try to fool others that they are not what they are.  Many lose heart.  He did not.

Sam Ferguson was a courageous man.  He was struck down with a disability that must have been frightening, must have been frustrating.  It must have been a struggle. But if you really wanted to see the quality of the man, you had only to talk to his beautiful wife Essie, known in this village as Ms. Essie. She adored him.  She thought he was a good provider.  She kept the family together in his disability, but she always respected him as head of the household.  She was his Queen.

His children highly respected their father and listened to his every word.  The way they say the word “Daddy” is like none other that I have heard.   Jason, the youngest was my first branch Chairman, and he takes right after his father: looks like him, a strong supporter.  Tami, I remember the first time I saw her.   George Mackey had taken me to St. Paul’s to be introduced to the congregation there, and I remember this young beautiful woman singing her heart out.  Penny, the example, of ultra sophistication.  Kim and Val: they were featured in the press celebrating what we thought was victory in 1997 which turned out to be a loss.  This history repeats itself in this year’s result: the people of the Village went one way, those who live in the outskirts of the constituency another.  Gary, known as Wrecker, devoted to his father, the builder, the quiet one. Pedro with his quiet professionalism as part of the public service. Cheryl with her own brave struggle in the face of adversity.  Then there was Spy who I later met and the oldest brother and another sister whom I do not as well.

This is the family that Samuel Ferguson has left behind

Last year then, in May 2006 just before we  came up to the Ferguson household  for the then Prime Minister to present Mr. Ferguson his medal and install him into the PLP’s stalwart council.  It was a proud moment for him and his family.  There was a great buzz in the neighbourhood as the Prime Minister’s procession arrived.  I thank God that this modest appreciation was shown to Sam Ferguson in his life time for all that he did for our party.  As our party’s standard bearer in Fox Hill, I was proud to be his representative.

On behalf of all the people of Fox Hill, the entire Fox Hill constituency, I extend my condolences to the family of the late Sam Ferguson, his wife his children and grandchildren. I thank you again for all your support.

Farewell, great soldier, stalwart councilor. We will meet you in the morning.