Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
A family photo with Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (second left), as he celebrated his birthday yesterday. From left are his son Richard Patterson; Richard's daughter, Gabriella Patterson; daughter Sharon Patterson-Hibbert holding her daughter Breanna Hibbert next to Horace Hibbert. Mr. Patterson was attending a special service at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
FRIENDS OF Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on Saturday night hosted his 70th birthday celebration at the Riu Hotel in Negril, Westmoreland.
Over 300 guests, including family and friends from overseas, regional heads of organisations, political party colleagues, supporters, corporate executives and many persons with whom the prime minister had come in contact over the years, gathered to celebrate the milestone.
In attendance was Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke; close friend Violet Neilson; Professor Keith Ellis; Stella Obasanjo, wife of the Nigerian president; Ambassador David Muirhead; Professor Rex Nettleford, UWI vice chancellor emeritus; Sir Shridath Ramphal; and Education, Youth and Culture Minister, Maxine Henry-Wilson. The master of ceremonies was party Chairman, Robert 'Bobby' Pickersgill.
Mrs. Obasanjo described Mr. Patterson as a, "cherished friend from the days when he was a foreign minister, down through the years when he stood by our family when my husband had problems; even inviting me here for a belated 50th birthday celebration."
THE CONSUMMATE LEADER
Professor Nettleford congratulated the prime minister for being, "a quiet but unassuming man, having generosity of spirit and restoring civility to Government."
In her toast, Senator Maxine Henry-Wilson said he was, "the consummate leader and a true son of Jamaica with the values of a decent, hardworking man."
The night's festivities ended with a grand fireworks display and cabaret performances by Dwight Richards and Friends, A.J. Brown and Maria Myrie.
Mr. Patterson, whose actual birthday was yesterday, was serenaded at midnight by Ms. Myrie and he later joined the performers in his own rendition of the Ernie Smith classic, Duppy Or Gunman.
