PICTURED ABOVE
The life of Barbados Labour Party stalwart, the Honourable Rudolph ‘Cappy’ Greenidge, was
celebrated during a heartfelt funeral service held in the chapel of Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens
on Friday morning. The service was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Her Excellency
President Dame Sandra Mason, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister Santia
Bradshaw, and other members of the cabinet.
Before the ceremony began, there was a musical interlude by members of the Barbados Police
Service Band, which set a reflective tone for the solemn occasion. Known for his unwavering
commitment to his community, the former educator and parliamentarian, who represented the
St. Philip North constituency, was eulogized by his brother, Henderson Clarke ( pictured below ) .
Reflecting on Greenidge’s legacy, he was remembered him as, “a compassionate, kind, understanding,
generous, and optimistic person.” He described his brother’s dedication to his community,
saying he was “a true son of the soil,” and lauded him as “a burden-bearing friend who stood for
truth, justice, goodness, and service, while remaining his gentle, smiling self with a fully rounded
personality.”
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley ( PICTURED ABOVE ) delivered a stirring tribute also praising Greenidge’s steadfast
commitment to his community, declaring, “He was a Philipine through and through.” Mottley
assured, “I believe that those of us who therefore had the privilege of working beside him as a
minister and as a member of parliament understood and understand today what I mean when I
say the gentleman was dignified but never arrogant.”
Reflecting, Mottley expressed gratitude for Greenidge’s life of service and loyalty, urging those
present to take pride in having supported a man who so fully embodied the values of his
community. Speaking directly to his immediate family she said, “Remember that you help raised
and support a man who was able to give of his best to this nation and to his community because
he continued to represent the values which you all shared and nurtured during the course of his
life.” Concluding her address, Prime Minister Mottley offered words of comfort to the bereaved,
stating, “May god bless his soul, and may all of you, his family and friends be comforted by the
knowledge that we give thanks now for the life of a gentle giant who epitomized the best of
Barbadian country values.”
Reverend Captain Roslyn Harper Johnson ( pictured above ) recounted fond memories of her interactions with Greenidge.
She said, “In that close-knitted community, he was not a saint, just one who used his gifts and
skills for the glory of God, serving others.” Acknowledging the pain of loss, she reminded those
present that death is the door to glory. “In dealing with grief,” she implored, “My brothers and
sisters, we turn to the one who loves us and is described as a present help in times of trouble.”
Recalling the story of Lazarus’s death, she reminded of Jesus’ message, “Let not your heart be
troubled. In other words, trust me with your life, in this, your time of grief. Allow me to walk with
you during this time just as I walked with Martha and Mary.” She assured the congregation,
saying, “One day, family, there will be no more mourning, pain, or death; the world will finally be
as it’s supposed to be.”
A moving musical tribute was given by soloist Tanya Clarke, ( pictured at left above…) who sang Wind Beneath My Wings.The ceremony concluded with the interment at St. Catherine’s Anglican Church burial
grounds in St. Philip, as family, friends, and well-wishers bid farewell to the beloved community
figure.
