Ralph Fonseca Laid to Rest with Official Funeral  

Belize said goodbye today to one of its most divisive political figures. Former PUP Minister Ralph Fonseca passed away last Friday at the age of seventy-five, after battling illness for some time. This afternoon, Fonseca was honored with an official funeral and a Mass of Thanksgiving at Divine Mercy Church in Belize City. The service brought together family, friends, and political figures from both sides of the aisle. Minister of State Christopher Coye delivered the eulogy, offering heartfelt reflections on Fonseca’s life and legacy. Here’s a brief excerpt from his homage.

 

Christopher Coye, Minister of State

“In politics they say perception is reality. In life and in truth, perception is not reality. Perception is perception and life is reality. On August ninth, 1949, Ralph Fonseca entered this world with a bang at the Belize City Hospital as thunder roared outside, weighing a hefty ten pound we were the eldest son of Ralph Aloysius Fonseca and Gertude. HE would become a guiding light to his siblings, David, Lillian, Andrea and Mark. He attended Holy Redeemer School then Saint John’s College. At a very early age, Ralph displayed a strong work ethic, selling tickets at the palace theater until he was sixteen. Ralph was passionate about the sea, snorkeling, fishing, diving, learning as much as he could from his cousin louis Locke. He even built his first fishing sailing boat at the age of fourteen. His first professional position was at Texaco in 1968 and by the age of eighteen he had already become the manager.”