Today, I was touched to the core, upon learning of the passing of my dear friend and former Cabinet and Parliamentary colleague, Rudolph “Cappy” Greenidge.
‘Cappy’ was truly a gentle giant — a man who respected friend and foe alike, who never raised his voice in anger and from whose lips never an expletive could emerge. He was the epitome of traditional Barbadian country folk, and the consummate “Philippine”, who was born in Marley Vale, grew up in Marley Vale, and as fate would have it, departed this life a resident of Marley Vale.
Those of us who had the privilege of working beside him as a Cabinet minister and Member of Parliament understood that Cappy was a gentleman, and he expected your words and conduct to reflect that when we were in his presence.
It was clear to me from early, that as the St. Philip North MP from 1994 until 2003, his manner came from a combination of his family upbringing and the qualities expected of the teaching profession in which he started his working life.
He taught at Princess Margaret Secondary, St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary and St. George Secondary, as well as in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands, before going off to Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica in 1983.
When I said above that ‘Cappy’ represented the values that distinguished Barbadian country folks, there is one over-arching fact that seals that in my mind. He respected and obeyed his parents to the letter. I am told that his mother, Elma Clarke — known across the district affectionally as “Nana” — constantly reinforced in him that he should never let law or politics change him.
And that was precisely how he lived — a gentleman until the very end. From Minister of Labour to Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports and later as Deputy President of the Senate, ‘Cappy’ was never sullied by rancour or any of its cousins.
Additionally, whether he was padded up as a proud St. Catherine’s Club cricketer, or sitting in the chair as president of the club, his conduct reflected his mother‘s admonition that he should never be defined by law or politics.
His recognition as one of the first recipients of the Order of the Republic award for his distinguished contribution to education, both locally and abroad; his many years of dedicated and exemplary service to sports, civic and public life and national development in 2021 was well deserved.
I am proud to have served with and beside Rudolph ‘Cappy’ Greenidge, and on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend sincere condolence to his brothers, Carlisle and Henderson; sisters, Eleanor and Cecile; his children, Nadya and Clive; and other members of his family. He has left a record of which you can all be proud.
In keeping with his status as a former Member of Parliament, he will be accorded an official funeral on a date that will be announced after consultation with his family.
May his soul rest in peace.