Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Former Jamaica Football Federation president Captain Horace Burrell pays his final respects to Peter Cargill during the memorial service for the former national player at the National Arena yesterday. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
JUST AS he did during his lifetime, Peter Raymond Cargill did in death, as he drew a multitude of people to Independence Park where hundreds of Jamaicans came to pay their last respects to one of Jamaica's most beloved footballers.
Peter Cargill, 41, a former national player and coach, was laid to rest at Dovecot Memorial Park after a thanksgiving service at the three-quarter filled National Arena yesterday.
More than 1,000 mourners came to bid their final farewell to one of Jamaica's football heroes, and although a lot did not heed the plea of Cargill's wife, Avril, to wear cheerful colours, it was a grand send-off.
SHINING COFFIN
But, just like the predominantly yellow coffin with green and black streaks rested on the catafalque, those who came in cheerful colours stood out like shining stars.
Members of Reggae Boyz, Harbour View and Waterhouse football clubs, alongside those from his alma mater, Camperdown, turned up in their team's colours and were joined by a few Tivoli Gardens players.
As the tributes poured in, Cargill was mostly remembered for his dedication, commitment, discipline and professionalism.
Portia Simpson Miller, Minister of Sport, Local Government and Community Development, said having worked so closely with Cargill and the Reggae Boyz for many years she considered herself a part of his family.
"We must give thanks for his life. It was a gift to us and an invaluable asset to Jamaica," said Simpson Miller, neatly attired in a full white skirt suit.
The minister also noted that Cargill, who had plied his trade in Israel for eight years, had rejected an Israeli offer of citizenship.
INFLUENCE
Bruce Golding, the leader of the Opposition, noted that it was significant that Jamaica bid farewell to Cargill on a day that was being celebrated across Jamaica as Teachers' Day because in many ways he was a teacher.
"Peter gave more to football than he took from it. Whether it was in his capacity as a player, whether with Camperdown, Harbour View, Waterhouse or the national team, he was always willing to share," Golding said.
But the man who stole the spotlight, was the man who has been out of the limelight for a few months. Carl Brown, former national coach and close confidante of Cargill, without even trying paid the most natural tribute to his friend of 31 years.
Dapperly attired in his black pants, yellow shirt with a black and white tie designed with footballs, Brown firstly spoke from his heart and spoke of the man he knew, not the footballer.
He made mention that "Mother (Simpson Miller) had lost her third son in a very short time and I know how much it meant to her," Brown said.
But then he paused ... asked the gathering to relax as it was all about Cargill, then paused again.
MORE TRIBUTES
Other tributes came from Crenston Boxhill, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF); Captain Horace Burrell, a vice-president of the Caribbean Football Union and a former president of the JFF, who spoke on behalf of the absent Jack Warner, CFU president.
"Marriages are normally announced in churches and people are asked to present their objections in writing after seven days and we should do that for funerals too. I really hoped I could raise my hand and object today," Brown said.
"I didn't sit where I was supposed to sit today because I knew he (Cargill) wouldn't want me to sit there. I wore this shirt because he wanted me to wear this one," he said.
On Saturday, April 16, Cargill became the third Jamaican international footballer to have died in a motor vehicle accident in the past four years following Steve Malcolm in 2001, and Winston Anglin last year.
