This afternoon, an official state memorial was held for Belize's second prime minister. Sir Manuel Esquivel was very particular about how he wanted his send off - a celebration rather than a sad funeral, a lively concert, rather than a funeral dirge. And while so many Belizeans will grieve his passing, his memorial reflected the type of man he was - honest, kind, and unconventional.
His time as a teacher, politician, and father changed the lives of many and today, his loved ones gathered for one last collective remembrance. Courtney Menzies has a recap:
It was a state memorial, not a state funeral, and today Sir Manuel's wish was that there wouldn't be tears, there would be music and mirth as this former prime minister wanted a concert with a musical menu that ran the gamut from classical to parranda to bruk down.
But there was also sober reflection on the life of a father, a physicist, and a statesman.
David Esquivel, Son of Sir Manuel Esquivel
"He positively impacted the lives of hundreds of Belizean students with his intellect, approachability and dedication. His innovations in the classroom, made complex math and physics easier for his students to grasp. His ingenuity extended way beyond the classroom, one year for example when the game Operation came out, Dad made his own version of the game for us and made several extras to gift to the younger children in our extended family. He often made toys for us, he made a rocking horse, later on he built us a swing set complete with slides and monkey bars, pretend shop for my sisters and even a life-sized spaceship powered by an old blender. We could fit 3-4 of us in there, it was a bit tight, but we got off the ground. While he is admired across the political spectrum both locally and internationally for his integrity, intelligence and competence. To us he is just Dad."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"He gave of himself with diligence, intelligence and with steadfast devotion to the task of Belize's national development. Every day the office of the prime minister presents challenges that can wear a person down and require a steady hand and the conscience of your convictions. I would want to believe his wife and partner Lady Kathy and his 3 children helped him through those turbulent moments. For sure, no one can question the resolve of Sir Manuel or his dedication to the task and his desire to complete and accomplished the things he believed were good for Belize."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Former Prime Minister
"The greatness of Manuel was that he possessed the other qualities in spades. There was his capacious mind, his fixity of purpose, his immovable resolve to do the right, though unpopular thing. His preternatural calm, the ice in his veins when confronted by crisis. His being stirred to anger only by the evil of corruption. The sum total of this man was a wonder to behold."
And now Belize has lost one more former prime minister, perhaps the most usual one to take office. But even as the period of mourning ends, Belizeans won't soon forget the man behind the politician.
Sir Manuel's ashes will remain with his family.
