Anthony Abrahams laid to rest

Anastasia Cunningham, Senior Gleaner Writer

Tears rolled down the cheeks of the family of Eric Anthony Abrahams as friends, dignitaries and politicians joined them to bid farewell to the former politician and veteran broadcast journalist during an official funeral at the St Andrew Parish Church yesterday.

Eric Jason Abrahams said the greatest legacy his father left was his six grandchildren who each possessed a distinct part of him.

He told the gathering that his father spent his last days no longer trying to solve Jamaica's problems or fighting for the greater good. Instead, he dedicated all his time to his two children and grandchildren "that he loved dearly".

"It was only fitting that his last words were to Max (grandson). He looked at him and said, 'Hi', with that grin we all know so well," he reflected.

Tara Abrahams-Clivio spoke of her father's unbelievable generosity that was evident in his unconditional love for his children and grandchildren.

In his tribute, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said goodbye to an extraordinary man, a trailblazer, a thinker whose mind raced faster than anyone could keep up with, a man who had the knack for making friends foes and foes friends quite easily.

"He was never afraid to challenge the status quo or demand change. He broke down many barriers," Golding said of Abrahams.

Life after politics

Noting Abrahams' sterling contribution to the Jamaica Labour Party, Golding explained that life for Tony did not end after politics. He simply transferred his tremendous experience and enormous intellect to the media.

"Morning talk show started in the extraordinary mind of Tony, making it now as part of us as ackee and salt fish," stated Golding.

University of the West Indies professor, commentator and columnist, Trevor Munroe, said although he and Abrahams were coming from different points politically, they had great respect for each other.

He noted that the groundbreaking early-morning current affairs radio programme, 'The Breakfast Club', which first aired on KLAS Radio in 1992, was Abrahams' crowning achievement.

"He lived and breathed the Breakfast Club," which depicted his "intellectual brilliance and journalistic genius," said Munroe, a former co-host of the programme.

Noting that Abrahams often paid a high price for standing up for what he believed in, he shared that his colleague had come to envision a new politics to move Jamaica forward.

"Tony was always seeking to uncover the hidden agenda with his suspicious mind. He was a very human human being, very emotional, sentimental, quick to anger, never suffered fools lightly, loved to cook, loved music, art and beautiful women, and had great pride in his black heritage," Munroe remembered of his friend.

Abrahams, a former tourism minister, politician, director of tourism, broadcaster and journalist, died on August 7 at 71. His body will be cremated at a later date.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com