“He was an example and an encouragement to us all. When we doubt and become seriously concerned about the quality of loyalty some of us have to this Belize, our native land, we can turn to the example of a man like David Price and see a pattern worthy of emulation…. Yes, David, like his namesake of Biblical narrative, took on the Goliath of DFC, and despite failing health and the warnings of family and friends, did so with characteristic dedication and devotion. He was focused, he was persistent and he was tenacious, and Belize today is grateful.”
These words were extracted from the sermon of Rev. C. David Goff, the officiating minister who presided over the celebratory service marking the life of David Price – father, brother, friend and Belizean patriot. (Rev. Horace S. Hector was the second officiating minister for the service.)
Price paid the ultimate price – his own life, which he laid down for the cause of Belize’s present and future generations.
His funeral service convened at 2:00 p.m. today, December 12, 2006, at Wesley Methodist Church on Albert Street, Belize City. His body was then transported to Ladyville, where he resided, for burial at the local cemetery.
Along with the Price family, roughly 200 friends attended the funeral service, among them Belize City mayor – Zenaida Moya; Chief Magistrate – Herbert Lord; president of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize – Senator Rene Gomez, and other rank and file of the unions; as well as educators and public servants who had made David Price’s acquaintance over the years.
At the start of the funeral, relatives and friends reflected on the life and contributions of David Price. The first speaker was David Gibson, former Chief Executive Office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was Mr. Price’s long-time friend.
Second was David Leacock, who said that he had a mentor-friend relationship with Price, remembers Price as a man who loved his family and looked after their interests, but who was, at the same time, concerned about the public good.
Michelle Price, David Price’s second wife with whom he shared 10 years of his life, also gave her remembrance of him.
Linda, whom Price married in 1976, bore his five children. She said that she thanks God for having met David Price, and poured out accolades on him for the manner in which he devoted himself to his children all through their life.
David Price was born November 22, 1951, in Crooked Tree, Belize District, and died in Cuba, at the age of 55 on December 12, 2006, while receiving medical treatment.
Price had been struggling with a heart condition and complications of diabetes, and had to be flown out to Cuba for specialist treatment about a month before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle; sons – David Jr., Adrian, Eric and Aaron; daughter – Sherima Hoare; mother of his children – Linda Price nee Elrington; brothers – Rowland and Michael; sisters – Norma Drepaul, Betty Mayer and Daisy Price Hagos; and grandchildren – David Shamar Price and Alyssa Hoare.