Edward Seaga Former Jamaica Prime Minister Dead At 89

Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, has died.

The entire Jamaican community is mourning the passing of well known political figure Edward Seaga, who was celebrating his 89th birthday today, May 28. Family sources say the former PM passed away peacefully while surrounded by close family and friends. Seaga served as Jamaica’s fifth Prime Minister from 1980 to 1989. He was the leader of the Jamaica Labor Party from 1974 to 2005 when he retired from active politics.

After his retirement, Edward Seaga served as a distinguished honorary fellow at the professorial level at The University of the West Indies (UWI), and chancellor of the University of Technology, Jamaica.

Earlier this month, Seaga, aka Papa Eddie, was hospitalized for an unknown illness. He received treatment at a hospital in Miami and sent home.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who is also the current leader of the Jamaica Labor Party, issued a statement on Instagram calling Edward Seaga a faithful public servant. “I announce with sadness the passing of former Prime Minister the Most Hon Edward Seaga. He leaves behind a rich legacy of loyal service to the Jamaican people,” Holness wrote.

The Prime Minister continues, “Mr. Seaga will live on through his stellar contribution to national development that defined our nation and provided service and value; indeed a legacy for generations now and generations to come. The nation has lost a leader with true human values. I offer my sincere and deepest condolences to his widow Carla and the rest of his family. #RIPMrSeaga.”