Two cadets from the Caribbean Maritime Institute stand guard beside the casket with the body of Gillespie Latty in the foyer of the church.

Pall-bearers taking the casket, with the body of Gillespie Latty, from the Bailleston United Church near Spaldings in Clarendon, following a thanksgiving service.

The Bailleston United Church near Spaldings in Clarendon was packed on Saturday.

This as mourners from all walks of life, especially educators, headed by Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites, turned out to pay their last respects to Gillespie Latty, father of Chief Education Officer, Dr. Grace McLean.

Tributes flowed throughout the first section of the service which started at noon and before the sermon was delivered by Reverend W George Lewis it was clear to those in attendance that he was well loved and respected by all who knew him.

Dr McLean while doing a reflection on her dad, confirmed that he took care of all his children as a father and a single parent, when his wife died at 37. She said her father loved to read her compositions while she was young and he taught her honesty.

Thwaites said Mr Latty preferred others over his own interest, as he found joy and satisfaction in being a good father, even though he never had much. The education minister shared that Jamaica would have been different if more fathers could be as faithful as Mr Latty was to God, his family and his community.

Gillespie Latty, was born on January 17, 1935 and who passed away on February 24, was the son of Zachariah and Petuela Latty. He acquired his early education at the James Hill Elementary School in Clarendon.

He was lauded for his dedication, honesty and integrity by his daughter, Murdina Johnson, vice principal at the Alston High School, who along with her brothers Lobert Latty and Gillespie Latty Jr delivered the eulogy. They said their father was a good driver, who depended on God at all times to take him safely on all his journeys.

"He taught us to love God, fear Him and keep His commandments," said Johnson.

Mr. Latty, who was buried in the family plot at Morgan's District in Clarendon after the thanksgiving service, has left behind to cherish his memories, eight children, 11 grandchildren, one brother, four sisters and a host of other relatives and friends.

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