“Someone to look up to, someone to brag about. Someone to hold and someone to cry with. Someone to learn from and someone to respect. Someone to listen to and someone to talk to. Someone to try and impress, sometimes to rebel against, and someone most of all with whom to share everything this wonderful life has to offer.”
Those were some of the descriptions of the late Ashton Chase as eulogised by his son, Dr Ronald Chase.
“Serita, Pauline and I are so incredibly grateful that we can all say today that we have had all this and much, much more with our dad. Dad always put his family first and was always there for us when we needed him. He was the patriarch of our family and always so proud of his children and grandchildren in our accomplishments, no matter how small. He ensured we had everything we needed, even if it meant sacrificing his wants and needs. He would do anything for us and always went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and healthy. His encouragement and support meant the world to us and we shall always cherish his words of wisdom,” Ronald stated.
The iconic labour unionist was born to Cleopatra King and Samuel Chase on Sunday July 8, 1926 in Hadfield St, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, in an impoverished family headed by his grandmother Adrianna King. According to the eulogy, it was his grandmother who served as the beacon of support in his life and who first introduced him to trade unionism at an early age, being herself involved in the movement.
Chase attended St Andrew’s Scots School and Alleyne’s High School, both in Georgetown, and secured his junior and senior Cambridge certificates before heading off to pursue university studies. At the tertiary level, he did distance studies in Law through London University, then, under a British Trade Union Congress Scholarship, moved on to pursue Economics at Ruskin College, Oxford. Chase also pursued a short course in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of his scholarship. After graduating with honours in Law from the University of London, he was admitted to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1957.
Of his many other accomplishments, Chase’s son noted that upon his father’s return from England in 1961, he began to build a law practice, specialising in Labour Law.
“In 1961, he was appointed president of the senate by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government [being a co-founder of the party along with Cheddi and Janet Jagan and Joycelyn Hubbard], and later served as a PPP Member of Parliament. He was, for many years, the president of the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees, which itself played an important role in the struggle for trade unions and electoral democracy. He remained honorable president in that organisation until today. He was a member of the Guyanese Action for Reform and Democracy (GUARD) movement, which had emerged in the later 1980s to join the fight for free and fair elections. He was co-founder and chairman of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic, providing free legal service,” Ronald eulogised. Ashton Chase has made a major contribution to legal learning by the number of cases he fought in Guyana’s Court of Appeal.
It should be noted that while he studied, Chase worked from the age of 17, in a clerical capacity, at the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU). Under the BGLU, he was given the opportunity to work with Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, whom he admired.
Additionally, he served as chairman of the Board of Directors of Republic Bank Guyana Ltd, member of the Public Service Commission from 1970 to 1974, and vice president of the Guyana Economic Society from 1971 to 1973. Chase was also a member of the University of Guyana’s Board of Governors from 1964 to 1965, and a member of the District Grand Lodge of Guyana – Harmony 1110.
Ronald added, “He’s been a lead in the struggle for democracy in Guyana… from 1946 to 1992. He’s rendered remarkable contributions in the areas of trade unionism, politics, the legal profession, and legal education in the West Indies”.
The deceased was also a writer and penned a number of texts, including: “A History of Trade Unionism in Guyana from 1900 to 1961”, “133 Days Towards Freedom in Guyana”, “The Law of Workmen’s Compensation”, “Industrial Law”, “Trade Union Law in the Caribbean”, and “Industrial Relations”. Unrelated to his country of birth, Chase also wrote a book called “Arise Africa”.
Of his personal qualities, Chase’s son noted that his father was a family man who was always there for everyone: family, neighbours, colleagues, or friends.
“He was a very humble man and we’re incredibly blessed to have had him as our dad, husband, granddad, father-in-law, [and] friend. He was a simple man. He didn’t need material things to make him happy, just the company of his family and friends. He was always the life of the party, he could make anyone laugh. We shall cherish those memories forever. For 46 years Ashton and Debbie have shared everything life can offer together. They were a great team, supporting each other in every way. Together they kept the family together. Dad was hardworking, compassionate towards everyone, and deserved the rich success and rich life that he enjoyed. Dad’s love was unconditional and this is something we shall cherish from his character and take with us forever. His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. To say our father was a good man would be an understatement. He was an amazing man who always put others first. I never saw him lose his temper or say an unkind word to anyone. He was always patient and kind, even when dealing with the most difficult people,” he said.
The younger Chase added that his father taught them that life is short and brutal and that the best way to deal with it all is with a good laugh and appreciation of the small moments of joy in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Chase was also described as a lawyer to lawyers, a labour expert, a statesman, and a wonderful human being who was humble, virtuous, and kind hearted.
“He touched and transformed the lives of many and has left a unique and lasting impact on the confluence of law, labour, and politics. He was majestic, fearless, brilliant, and strategic, hence the name ‘Bengal Tiger’. He was a true hero, a Guyanese hero….” Ronald added. “We’re going to miss him, his decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. When it came to how he lived his life, there was no unfinished business, he had no regrets.”
