Philip Goldson laid to rest

He was a leading light in Belizean public affairs for the better part of half a century. Today Philip Goldson was laid to rest.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

Funeral services were held today at Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City for Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson Sr. The elder statesman is perhaps better known for his patriotism than his politics. Today Belizean who have been touched by the late man took time out to remember him.

Charles Hyde

“Very committed man, totally dedicated to service to his country, which he loved very, very much. And he showed his love in many ways.”

Manuel Esquivel

“His was a life of sacrifice, starting with being in prison for his beliefs and up until the very end. People say a lot of things about politicians who are only in it for what they can get. Mr. Goldson was only in it for what he could give. I think we can all be proud of that and hope to emulate what he has done.”

Cherrymae Pascascio

“As a child I was in and out of his home because his niece, Rita Mossiah and I were very, very close friends. As a matter of fact, I would always go and look for Philip and he was my uncle also.”

Dean Lindo

“When he was leader of NIP and I came back from England, I walked into his office and said that I want to join. That was when I joined the National Independence Party.”

Gilda Lewis

“I remember his single-mindedness in going after what he believed was right; right for Belize, right for Belizeans. That will continue, NABR is going to carry on an make sure that his ideals are not lost in the midst of time.”

The late Philip Goldson was also remembered by his son Dale. Opposition Leader Dean Barrow eulogised the seventy-eight year old man who founded the People’s United Party, the National Independence Party, which later became the United Democratic Party and the National Alliance for Belizean Rights.

Dean Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“It struck me that what Barry Goldwater said in 1964, perhaps comes closest to illustrating Philip Goldson’s motto in life and epitaph in death: Extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

To identify a patriot, it is said that he would lay down his life for his country. But often, that I no more than rhetorical. In Philip Goldson’s case, there was never any doubt that at any moment he was prepared literally to die for Belize.

Minister of Housing, Dickie Bradley paid tribute to the Belizean legend.

Dickie Bradley, Minister of Housing

“And how can I ever forget the words he taught me. I heard him shouting from the rostrums across the city: This is our country, we own it, we love and we will keep it; even if we have to fight and die for it.

He came in to party politics a poor man and left party politics a poor man. And sometimes when I watch the current crop of politicians scurrying around in the shadows of great giant, I ask, “What do they believe in? What cause they are fighting? Have they never heard or met Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson; A man of principle, man no ‘fraid?”

The state funeral procession then proceeded to the Lord’s Ridge Cemetery for the internment. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

Goldson is survived by his wife and six children.