And PUP chairman, Henry Charles Usher, said that Fonseca was more than just a political colleague; he was a close family friend. He reminisced on Fonseca's warmth and willingness to serve others. He also discussed the dueling perceptions of Fonseca as both one of the most criticized and one of the most beloved PUP politicians. He spoke to us via phone.
Voice of: Henry Charles Usher, PUP Chairman
"I was saddened to wake to the news of Ralph's passing early this morning. He was more than a political advisor, he was a close family friend, really someone I grew up thinking of as a family member. He had a larger than life personality, a big heart and a warm smile. I think Ralph was like his father, a servant of the people. Although was a capitalist, he advocated for capitalism with socialist conscience. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anybody who asked for it."
"Even after his elected years were over, Ralph remained close to the party as an advisor. He spoke at national service day a couple years ago on his time with George Price and his time with the nationalist movement, the independence movement so that was good. I was happy I could have visited a few weeks ago and he said, chairman, the way he usually does, chairman, what are you doing? Don't you have to work to do? And I said sure I have work to do, but I have to visit you as well."
"He was a very polarizing figure to some but to those who knew him like myself, I saw him as somebody always willing to help. That rough exterior was what he portrayed to his opponents, to persons he had to negotiate with, to individuals he had to go up against but to his PUP family, he was always someone that was there offering assistance, offering guidance, meeting with him at his home was something that you felt welcomed, you didn't feel uncomfortable."
"I think within the party he will always be remembered as someone very close to George Price, very close to Said Musa, very closed to the leaders of the party, and playing such an instrumental role in leading the party to massive victories throughout the 90's, in '98 especially, that massive election victory. And yes there are those who remember the time between '04 and '08 when there were challenges that then party had to go through and Ralph's name was called, why? Because he was never afraid to make tough decisions, not afraid to be the face of those decisions and that is something that I know as prime minister Said Musa relied on to say that Ralph would take the slings and the arrows to make sure that the party is protected but I think he will be remembered for his work and for being able to deliver so many great victories and definitely for being an excellent area representative for Belize Rural Central."
"Please allow me to express my condolences to his wife Donna, his daughters, to his extended family and friends and of course to his BRC family. Ralph was a good Belizean, a servant of the people and a soldier of the revolution."
A press release from the PUP says "Fonseca, was a man with an astute mind, unafraid to make the difficult and at times unpopular decisions. He was a true nation builder who believed and lived by the principle, 'your word is your bond.'
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