Published 24 August, 2018
Buckie Got It St Kitts and Nevis News Source
Prime Minister Harris eulogises hardworking government worker, the late Philmore Bedford
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 24, 2018 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, on Thursday August 23 led the nation and in particular the civil service in paying last respects to former Senior Security Officer at the Government Headquarters on Church Street in Basseterre, the late Philmore Bedford.
Funeral service for the fallen civil servant was held at the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral Catholic Church, East Independence Square Street in Basseterre and burial was at the Springfield Cemetery. Officiating priest was Father Thomas Koikara who was assisted by Rev. Deacon Tarlie Francis.
“I have known Philmore for over twenty years now,” said Prime Minister Harris. “He had always been someone with whom it was easy to develop a friendship.” Prime Minister Harris who is also the National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) was in the PLP Choir that offered tribute to the late Bedford in form of a song at the church service. Also paying tribute in song was his co-worker at the Government Headquarters Mrs Natasha Gordon, and a Government Headquarters Choir, that also featured Chief Personnel Officer, Mrs Torfrida Rochester.
According to Prime Minister Harris, Mr Philmore Bedford was a hardworking person who tried his hands at many endeavours, including fishing, farming, and construction before he joined the civil service and was devoted to his family. Dr Harris pointed out that he made effort to stay on the narrow way and live a productive and useful life of which all could be proud.
“He was a smart man when it came to money management issues,” revealed the Prime Minister. “This was reflected in the many material things he was able to acquire; including building a home at Stone Fort, and make his family safe as it should.” Left behind to cherish his memories include his spouse Ms Sandra Leona Isaac, children Trevel and Kasandra Bedford, his brothers and sisters.
Also present at the funeral service included the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards, Senior Minister and Minister of Ecclesiastes Affairs the Hon Vance Amory, Minister of State for Health Senator the Hon Wendy Phipps, Deputy Speaker Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Cabinet Secretary Mrs Josephine Huggins, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Mr Andrew Skerritt, and many civil servants, relatives and friends.
“At the party (Peoples Labour Party) level he had been our first chairman of the Number Four Constituency Branch,” observed Prime Minister Harris. “He canvassed with me in the 2015 elections and after the elections he was one who promoted the formation of a group so that those persons who had given their support in Number Four as a result of the PLP engagement would have a home, and would have sense of connection to the Government.”
Speaking as the National Political Leader of Peoples Labour Party (one of the three parties in the ruling Team Unity Administration) Prime Minister Harris said: “I want to thank him for the several years he served in that capacity, but most importantly for his wise counsel and for his helpfulness to the communities particularly in Old Road, Challengers, Conyers and Stone Fort (where he lived) in which he put very special efforts.”
The Peoples Labour Party was represented at the funeral service and burial ceremony at Springfield by its National Chairman Mr Warren Thompson, National Secretary Ms Myrtilla Williams, current PLP Constituency Number Four Branch Executive Chairperson Ms Petrona Thomas, other National Party Executives, and executive and general membership of the party at the constituency level. All the PLP constituency branches were represented.
1: Prime Minister Harris lays a wreath on the grave of the late Philmore Bedford.
2: Prime Minister Harris (extreme right) was in the PLP Choir which paid tribute to the late Bedford in song in church during the funeral service.
3: Singing a hymn at the funeral service of the late Bedford at the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral Catholic Church.
4: PLP National Secretary Ms Myrtilla Williams (in black) and PLP Constituency Number Four Branch Executive Chairperson Ms Petrona Thomas (bending) laying wreaths.
5: Late Philmore Bedford’s family release doves as a symbol of peace.
6: Mr Bedford (extreme right) took part in all Prime Minister’s Health walks. Here is pictured with the Prime Minister and a team from Constituency Number Four at the end a past walk.
