Sir Marcus Jordan was more than an astute businessman, top educator, political stalwart. He was above all a devoted family man and Christian.
Reverend Ezra Barker gave that salute at the official funeral of the retired life insurance executive and entrepreneur at Hawthorn Methodist Church yesterday evening.
And to top it off, fellow officiating minister Reverend Philip Saunders called on the relevant authorities to rename the church hall The Marcus Jordan Hall.
Sir Marcus had a wide-ranging career, spanning the teaching and insurance fields and the Senate, where he served as President, and there paying last respects was a standing room only congregation that included Acting Prime Minister Ronald Jones, Chief Justice Marston Gibson, Sir Philip Greaves, Sir Louis Tull, Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, Minister of Agriculture David Estwick, Speaker of the House Michael Carrington, Dr Carol Jacobs, former Cabinet minister and cricket legend Wes Hall, Chief Town Planner Mark Cummins and former chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), Antonio “Boo”?Rudder.
Reverend Barker, a former principal of Lester Vaughan Secondary, said that Sir Marcus, who passed away last week at the age of 82, had done much for the Methodist Church and had served his country well.
Barker extended his “deepest heartfelt sympathy” to wife Lady Jordan and children David and Alies.
“The church is here for you. We will always be here, and you can call on us any time,” Barker said.
A former Harrisonian and a graduate of the University of London where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, Sir Marcus started his career in the insurance industry in the 1950s, joining Canadian-owned Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (MANULIFE).
He soon established himself as a top underwriter, moving quickly up the ranks. He was the first Barbadian to head Manulife’s local operations, and later joined Barbados Mutual (now Sagicor).
Sir Marcus was also very well versed in the English language and penned quite a number of short stories using the nom de plume Alex Fitzgerald. Some of his work was published locally while others were broadcast on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
A strong debater, he served three terms in the Upper Chamber and held the post of President between 1986 and 1991.Following the funeral yesterday there was a private cremation. (MK)
