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Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as she offered condolences to Sir Fred Gollop’s widow, Yvonne Lady Gollop.

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Sir Fred Gollop’s three daughters Reissa Galt, Renee Kowlessar and Robyn Gollop-Knight as they stood before the packed Coral Ridge Chapel, reminiscing on his life.

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Pallbearers taking the body of the late Sir Fred Winlyn Gollop out of the Coral Ridge Chapel.

Sir Fred Gollop laid to rest

The late Sir Fred Winlyn Gollop, a former President of the Senate of Barbados, was yesterday laid to rest at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens, The Ridge, Christ Church.

Sir Fred, who passed away on Wednesday, June 20th practised as an attorney-at-law for 47 years, including 12 years as a partner of the law firm Yearwood & Boyce. He was also a Queens Counsel. He not only had a passion for law, but journalism as well.

He was Chairman of the Nation Group of Companies for over 30 years, having been one of the founders of the Nation newspaper in 1973 and he was instrumental in the group’s acquisition of Starcom Network and the formation of the One Caribbean Media Group.

Amongst the list of dignitaries in attendance at his official funeral were, Governor General of Barbados, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason; Chief Justice of Barbados, Sir Marston Gibson; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Members of Cabinet, Members of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition, Bishop Joseph Atherley.

His three daughters Renee Kowlessar, Robyn Gollop-Knight and Reissa Galt stood before the packed Coral Ridge Chapel, reminiscing on his life, his love of family and music, particularly singers such as Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, his tremendous sense of humour and his leadership capabilities. He was described as a God fearing man, the perfect husband to Yvonne Lady Gollop, the perfect father and provider and “a man of immense discipline” who thrived greatly on routine.

“He loved St. John and his alma mater The Lodge School, which he credited for the discipline which served him so well throughput his life and for the lifelong friendships that he made,” his daughter Renee pointed out.

“Just a few weeks ago in May, he expressed a desire to go for a drive through the country, as he called it. We went through St. John’s Church, passed the spot of his childhood home, down to Bath, Codrington College and finally through the Lodge School,” she revealed.

“Dad enjoyed every day of his working life and he guided us every day by his example and taught us the value of hard work,” Renee also stated, adding that he also stressed the value of a good education.

Some of the fondest memories she said, include thoughts of annual family holidays abroad, staycations in later years and time spent with his ten grandchildren.

“The essential elements of Dad’s character were his integrity, his humility, honesty, kindness and his love of family and he always encouraged us, to thine own self be true,” she told those gathered.

Delivering a sermon on “the Gift of Love”, based on 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, Reverend Guy Hewitt noted that Sir Fred displayed a love for family and friends, for his professions and for his country and the very tributes delivered after his passing by others in the community, suggest that he lived out the greatest virtue of love, as found in the Biblical passage mentioned. (RSM)

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