Emil George laid to rest

He was well known for many things, including his calm yet firm chairmanship of the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry, but when friends and family of Emil George gathered at the St Andrew Parish Church yesterday to celebrate his life, a more private side of the man was revealed.

Hailed as a legal luminary, George led a distinguished life of public service.

Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, who delivered a remembrance, recounted George's life in colourful prose, noting that he loved his family with the same selflessness with which he served in public life.

"Uncle Emil became increasingly relied on to provide legal advice and corporate strategy. Over time, he was asked to serve on numerous boards of several of Jamaica's leading companies. It was in the field of industrial relations that his professional contribution to Jamaica was most outstanding," Golding said.

George, who served stints as chairman of Wray & Nephew Group Ltd, director of the Seprod Group of Companies, and president of the Jamaica Employers' Federation, was honoured with the Order of Jamaica in 2002. He also served as a senator and was a senior partner and consultant at law firm DunnCox.

He was admitted to the Bar of Jamaica in 1956 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1970.

George died on August 12 after a battle with cancer.