State Funeral tomorrow for former Governor General of The Bahamas

The government has announced that all flags will be flown at half mast until the day of the funeral.

NASSAU, Bahamas, Wednesday January 4, 2012 - A State Funeral will be held tomorrow for former Governor General Sir Clifford Darling who passed away late last month at the age of 89.

Sir Clifford’s body has been lying in State at the House of Assembly for public viewing, and will remain there until sunset today, a government notice said.

Flags are being flown at half mast until the day of the funeral.

The former head of state is survived by his wife, Lady Igrid, his children and other relatives.
 
Sir Clifford, an ex-cabinet minister, parliamentarian and trade union leader, had a long carrier in politics after he left the labour movement.

He was appointed as a Senator in 1964, was elected to the House of Assembly in 1967, and was named a Cabinet minister two years later.

After being knighted in 1977 and elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, he went on to serve as Governor General from 1992 until 1995.

Tributes have been paid by current Head of State Sir Arthur Foulkes, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Leader of the Opposition and Perry Christie among others.

“Sir Clifford was among those extraordinary Bahamian leaders who commanded the Bahamian stage during the history-making years of the fifties and sixties, and he played his considerable role with dedication and with his characteristic dignity,” the governor general said in a statement. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)