(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) says it is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Hon. Ralph Telford O’Neal.
Premier O’Neal, the longest serving elected representative in BVI history, died on Monday at the age of 85.
“Mr. O’Neal’s long and invaluable service to the territory was highlighted by his becoming its first Premier when the constitution was amended in 2007,” CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque recalled in a message of condolence to the Premier of the BVI Hon. Andrew Fahie. He noted that Mr. O’Neal had also previously served twice as Chief Minister and three times as Leader of the Opposition.
“The depth of respect that Mr. O’Neal earned was evidenced by the praises showered on him by all sides of the political divide when he became the first member of the House of Assembly in recent Virgin Islands history to have been bestowed with the title of Member Emeritus,” the CARICOM Secretary-General noted.
“The contribution to his beloved BVI spanned much more than politics as he was involved in business, sport and virtually all aspects of the life of the territory,” he added.
“His was a voice that was also heard in support of regional integration, both at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean S