Dean Peart remembered for building community centres across Manchester NW

MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Relatives on Sunday credited former Member of Parliament Dean Peart with driving the spread of community centres throughout Manchester North Western.

Councillor Ryan Peart of the People’s National Party’s Spur Tree division, a cousin of the late politician, said Dean Peart established 13 community centres spanning the constituency’s four divisions — New Green, Mile Gully, Spur Tree and John’s Hall.

“He was one of the few politicians who you could see the work that he has done even years back when he left politics,” said Ryan Peart. “In terms of infrastructure [including] community centres…. Ninety per cent of the community centres in North West Manchester were built by Dean Peart. He improved basic school right across the four divisions,” added Ryan Peart.

Dean Peart died on Sunday morning. He was 77.

Beyond his time in Parliament, he held Cabinet portfolios covering labour, environment and lands, and local government, and earlier served as mayor of Mandeville. Voters first sent him to Gordon House for Manchester North Western in 1989. Representing the PNP, he secured the seat in five successive elections before stepping aside ahead of the December 2011 polls.

“Today is a very sad day for the Peart’s family and the extended family and Jamaica on a whole. We have lost a great man, a political giant. He was a pillar, a mentor and a strong foundation in our family. He was our main motivator for entering politics, because we wanted to carry on the legacy of his work and the love he had for the people,” said Ryan Peart. “He was loved and appreciated by comrades and labourites on a whole,” added the councillor.

His brother Adion Peart, who left the PNP for the Jamaica Labour Party, also offered condolences.

“As we the family mourn the passing of Mr Peart we all feel it… Everybody in Jamaica is saddened by this news. He has been our main motivator politically and he always encouraged us to do the right thing and keep us close as family. We spoke almost everyday,” said Adion Peart.