‘Omar was never too busy to listen or to help’ - Patsy C. Lake
Mr Hodge died on December 20, 2017 at Fort Recovery, Tortola, where he was staying post Hurricane Irma. He was 75 years of age.
Following his body lying in state at the House of Assembly (HoA) building yesterday, January 17, 2018 where scores of persons took the opportunity to pay their respects, the legislator for some 32 years was given a state funeral today.
Never too busy to listen
Among the many persons giving tributes was Virgin Islands icon and businesswoman Mrs Patsy C. Lake, who called Mr Hodge her "Brother."
Reflecting on the late Hodge’s life, Mrs Lake spoke of the extent Mr Hodge went to represent persons of the Territory despite their race, colour or creed. She questioned whether there is any politician of today that can be credited as being truly for the people like Mr Hodge was.
"His heart was filled with love for people," Mrs Lake said, then asking "Who can we look for in today's modern politicians and say that person is a people’s man or woman?"
Mrs Lake alluded to the fact that the late Hodge did what he had to without the help of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
"You looked each other in the face, eye to eye, and if you weren't speaking the truth Omar would tell you man stop lying."
"If you had a problem, Omar was never too busy to listen or to help. It never mattered to him if you could vote for him or not, whether you were from here, there or elsewhere, Omar will still help you, or if you were black, white or blue, neither of this mattered to Omar. If you spoke English, French or Spanish, it didn't matter either."
According to Mrs Lake, Mr Hodge had a big heart and “those of us who knew him know that I am speaking the truth."
She also said the Spanish speaking community loved Mr Hodge and embraced him. "Today, my friends, I am asking you, let Omar's legacy live on, a man with a big caring heart who loved people, who cared about people. Today we don’t see that much anymore.”
She encouraged the Territory to continue to honour the legacy of Mr Hodge by extending love to others and especially to his family.
Mr Hodge, who is survived by three children and his wife Dr Miriam Rodriguez Hodge, was laid to rest at the Johnson’s Ghut Burial Ground in the 6th District, which he represented faithfully for decades.
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13 Responses to “‘Omar was never too busy to listen or to help’ - Patsy C. Lake”
It is what they did to him that would haunt the ones responsible.
LOOK AT THAT BIG @$$ POT HOLE IN THE ROAD SHAMEFUL