Late attorney and businessman Hugh Hart was today remembered as a nation builder and a man distinguished by his intellect, loyalty, and relentless discipline.The remarks were made by Culture Minister Olivia Grange, who was among several colleagues, friends, and family members who paid tribute to Hart during his state funeral at the University Chapel on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies.Hart, a former government minister and founding partner of the law firm Hart, Muirhead Fatta, died in April at the age of 96."There are some people who enter a room casually and go unnoticed; not so with Hugh Hart. His aura filled every space that he occupied. His personality exuded warmth and confidence, an image of a dignified man with a passion for people and their upliftment," Grange said.She remembered Hart as a sharp-witted professional whose company was always enjoyed by those around him, while highlighting the negotiating and deal-making skills that helped define his public service career.Grange recalled serving alongside Hart in the Senate and spoke of a man who remained grounded despite moving comfortably among influential circles at home and abroad."I had the honour of sitting next to him in the Senate. His path through life led him to the hallowed halls and great palaces of the world, but he took it all in stride as he found peace among the trenches of his beloved Jamaica and on the streets of Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, beside Edward Seaga," she said."I remember Hugh Hart as a man with a great heart and a charming personality, a sincere man, an unwavering friend, and a committed nation builder. He saw the world from different angles and found in every experience an opportunity to promote the development of ordinary people."The service attracted a cross-section of Jamaica's political, legal, and business leadership, reflecting Hart's influence in public life over several decades.Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding were among those who participated in the service.Both offered scriptural readings, with Holness reading from Ecclesiastes and Golding from Romans.Tributes also came from Hart's former legal partners and family members, who reflected on his contributions to the legal profession and national development.Hart was widely regarded as one of Jamaica's leading commercial attorneys.He established Hart, Muirhead Fatta, which grew into one of the country's premier commercial law firms.His public service career spanned more than a decade in the Jamaican Senate, where he served from 1980 to 1993.During the administration of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, Hart served as Minister of Mining and Energy between 1983 and 1989.He also held responsibility for tourism from 1984 to 1989, playing a role in shaping policy in two critical sectors of the Jamaican economy.Beyond Cabinet, he chaired several major national institutions, including the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, and the Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company.Those who spoke during Wednesday's service repeatedly returned to themes of service, integrity and patriotism, describing Hart as a man who combined professional excellence with a deep commitment to national development.For Grange, however, Hart's greatest legacy was not found solely in the positions he held, but in the impact he had on the lives of those around him."He was a sincere man, an unwavering friend and a committed nation builder," she said, describing him as someone who never lost sight of the needs of ordinary Jamaicans despite his many achievements.Hart was accorded a state funeral in recognition of his contributions to Jamaica's legal profession, public service and economic development.- Corey RobinsonFollow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.