Former Jamaican Cabinet Minister Dean Peart dies at 77, leaders pay tribute
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary, Dr Horace Chang, on Sunday issued condolences to the family of former Cabinet Minister Dean Peart, describing him as a politician of the highest calibre who had respect for standards of decency, decorum, and integrity.
- “Dean Peart was committed to Jamaica and its development.
- He was generally honest in his remarks on issues of national importance.
- However, though he was robust when he thought it necessary in his submissions to Parliament, Mr Peart never resorted to being indecent or disrespectful.
- His conduct in Parliament and the political arena, in general, was of the highest calibre.
Former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament and Mayor of Mandeville Dean Peart has died at age 77.
Peart, who served the Manchester North Western constituency for more than two decades, died on Sunday after reportedly battling illness.
Tributes have poured in from across Jamaica’s political divide, with leaders describing him as a dedicated public servant who contributed significantly to national development.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he was deeply saddened by Peart’s passing, noting that the two served together in Parliament during Peart’s more than 20 years as a legislator.
“Dean was a committed public servant who made a meaningful contribution to Jamaica’s development,” Holness said.
During his political career, Peart served as Minister of Transport and Works, Minister of Labour, Environment and Lands, and also held the position of Mayor of Mandeville.
“He was known for his strong convictions and his ability to engage in meaningful national discourse,” Holness added.
The Prime Minister extended condolences to Peart’s wife, children and the wider Peart family, saying Jamaica had lost “a dedicated servant whose contribution to public life will be remembered.”
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Dr Horace Chang also paid tribute to Peart, describing him as a politician of the highest calibre who valued decency, decorum and integrity.
“Dean Peart was committed to Jamaica and its development. He was generally honest in his remarks on issues of national importance,” Chang said.
He noted that while Peart could be forceful in Parliament when defending his views, he never resorted to disrespectful conduct.
“His conduct in Parliament and the political arena, in general, was of the highest calibre. We will miss his contributions to national discourse,” Chang said.
Chang also highlighted Peart’s ability to work across political lines, noting that although he was a member of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), he believed in collaboration when advancing issues in the national interest.
“Dean was of an era where there was a general understanding that disagreement was inevitable, but it was never an excuse for insolence,” Chang said. “He was strident in defending causes in which he believed. He was a competent servant of the people.”
The JLP general secretary expressed condolences to Peart’s wife, children and brother Michael Peart, who served as Speaker of the House while Dean Peart was a government minister and Member of Parliament.
PNP President Mark Golding also paid tribute, praising Peart’s service to his constituents and the wider country.
“For 22 years, Deanie served his constituents with hard work and a devotion that set the standard for representational politics,” Golding said.
He highlighted Peart’s work in establishing community centres, basic schools and a scholarship fund as examples of his commitment to the people he represented.
Peart also served as a councillor and as Mayor of Mandeville before becoming a Cabinet minister.
Golding extended condolences to Peart’s wife, Vynette, his children and the entire Peart family.
Throughout his political career, Peart was recognised as a parliamentarian known for strong advocacy, public service and a willingness to engage in national discussions despite political differences.
