Massive Caribbean American farewell for Ambassador Curtis Ward

Hundreds of mourners defied sub-freezing temperatures, journeying from near and far to pack into Saint Andrew’s Apostolic Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, last Saturday to pay final tribute to Ambassador Curtis ‘Rustie’ Ward, distinguished attorney, diplomat, and tireless champion of the Caribbean diaspora whose voice resonated from the corridors of the United Nations to the living rooms of Jamaicans scattered across the globe.

The gathering reflected the remarkable breadth of Ward’s influence. Heading the list of mourners were Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Antony Anderson; Governor of Maryland Wes Moore; members of the diplomatic corps, as well as presidents and members of various diaspora organisations and Caribbean nationals from every walk of life, a testament to a man whose impact transcended the formal boundaries of his diplomatic portfolio.

The tributes painted a portrait of a man whose journey from Treasure Beach to the world stage never diminished his connection to home. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson’s tribute, read at the service by Franciene Chin, captured this duality with characteristic eloquence, describing Ward as “a son of Treasure Beach who carried the best of our nation to the world stage, and who never forgot where he came from or whom he served”.

Patterson recalled appointing Ward as ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations with special responsibility for Security Council Affairs in 1999, noting that Jamaica had needed “someone of high intellect, unwavering principle, and endowed with masterly command of international law”.

Ward proved himself precisely that during Jamaica’s tenure on the Security Council from 2000 to 2001, helping navigate the global response to the September 11 attacks and drafting critical counter-terrorism resolutions.

“Jamaica has lost a noble avatar,” Patterson declared. “Let us strive to honour his memory by perpetuating the exemplary standards of truth, courage, and service that Curtis Ward embodied throughout his remarkable life.”

UNDERSTOOD POWER

Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s tribute illuminated the personal dimension of Ward’s influence. Golding revealed, in a message read publicly by Ibrahim ‘IB’ Konteh, vice-president of the People’s National Party (PNP) Patriots, that Ward had corresponded with him via WhatsApp on a daily basis since he, Golding, became PNP president in 2020, offering counsel that shaped the Opposition leader’s thinking on critical issues.

“He understood power, but he was never impressed or overwhelmed by it,” Golding shared. “He understood influence and always used it responsibly.”

Golding noted that Ward’s commitment to uplifting public understanding continued until his final hours, describing him as “a trusted and powerful voice for reason, justice and proportionality in global affairs”.

The Opposition leader credited Ward with playing a major role in the success of the PNP’s diaspora tour of the US Eastern Seaboard in 2022.

Anderson conveyed condolences in a letter to the widow, Sonia Ward.

“The Caribbean, academic, and legal communities throughout the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area have indeed suffered a profound loss,” Anderson wrote. “Ambassador Ward’s life was distinguished not only by devoted service to Jamaica, but also by his steadfast contributions to the Caribbean and the wider international community. A champion of diaspora engagement, he served with dedication on the Maryland Commission on Caribbean Affairs, where he advanced the social, cultural, and economic interests of Caribbean people; in every role he represented Jamaica with distinction integrity and pride .”

The most poignant moments came from Ward’s daughters, Myeasha and Tamara, and son Kareem, who shared intimate reflections on a father whose public service never overshadowed his devotion to family. Their tributes reminded mourners that behind the lawyer, diplomat and analyst was a man who understood, as those close to him noted, that “the true measure of a life is not found solely in accomplishments or accolades, but in the values lived out daily, the love given freely, and the integrity maintained consistently”.

The diaspora community Ward championed so fiercely was well represented among those offering tributes.

LASTING IMPACT

Reverend Larry Walker, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiative, spoke of Ward’s lasting impact. Irwine Clare, co-founder and managing director of Caribbean Immigrants Services, captured what made Ward irreplaceable. “He was one of our top servants in the global space, a person who was in the right place at the right time, and who was prepared to speak frankly on many issues when many others were afraid to do so.”

Rick Nugent, president of the Jamaica Association of Maryland, joined Larry Sindass, founder and president of Caribbean Nation Television; Chris Gardiner, co-founder of the Caribbean American Organization; and Venice Mundle Harvey, former co-chair of the Caribbean American Advisory Group, in honouring a man who believed that Jamaica does not end at its shores.

The Maryland governor presented Mrs Ward with a citation. She was also presented with other citations from US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Mayor of Washington DC Muriel Bowser and other dignitaries, a formal recognition of a partnership that sustained Ward through decades of service. Governor Moore’s citation praised Ward for his leadership and integrity, describing him as “someone who embodies the true meaning of public service”, while noting that he had personally benefited from Ward’s guidance, and acknowledged his decades of service to the Caribbean community.

Attorney Gabriel Christian delivered the eulogy, weaving together the threads of a life that spanned continents and touched countless souls, from the free place scholar of 1957, who felt he had to give back what he had gained, to the elder statesman whose analysis helped shape understanding of an increasingly complex world.

As mourners filed from the church into the Maryland afternoon, they carried with them the memory of a man who proved that courage and principle need not yield to convenience or power.