FIJI: Former Fiji Times editor laid to rest

FIJI: Former Fiji Times editor laid to rest

Hundreds Bid Farewell To Sir Len

http://www.fijilive.com

SUVA (FijiLive/Pacific Media Watch): Another chapter in Fiji’s history was closed yesterday when a statesman and a "father of journalism", Sir Leonard Usher, was laid to rest, the Daily Post reports.

And with him went the years of experience and dedication to his adopted country - Fiji.

Sir Len Usher, a long-serving former editor-in-chief of The Fiji Times, was given a hero’s goodbye at the funeral service at the Wesley Church. The eulogy was given by the chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Epeli Ganilau.

In his eulogy, Ratu Epeli spoke of Usher as a teacher during his days as the principal of Queen Victoria School in the 1940s.

Ratu Epeli said Usher - originally a New Zealander who was knighted for his public service to Fiji in 1986 - had a good impact on the Fijian community and helped in the education of the young.

He said he had come to know Usher through his family.

Another speaker at the sermon, Josetaki Koroi, a former president of the Methodist Church in Fiji said Usher was a man of God and besides his various achievements he was also a preacher.

Son Miles Usher said his father was dedicated to Fiji in his 60 years in the Country.

Usher was aged 96 when he died on Tuesday.

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