A former President of the Saint Lucia Senate, Hilford Deterville, has passed away in Canada it was confirmed Friday. Deterville, who was reportedly very ill, had been receiving medical care in Canada.
Deterville served as President of the Senate from 1997 to 2003 and was also a former President of the Saint Lucia Bar Association and a former Electoral Commissioner.
On Friday the Saint Lucia Labour Party paid tribute to Deterville who was a member of the party. In a short statement read by Winston Springer the party first extended condolences to Deterville’s family and friends. “Mr. Deterville served his party and the country in several capacities, first as a teacher then as an economist in the West Indies Associated States, now the OECS. He was also President of the Seamen Waterfront Workers Union, a lawyer, President of the Senate and President of the Saint Lucia Bar Association. He was also a leading member of the Methodist Community,” Springer said.
He also noted that Deterville was a founding member in the late 60s and early 70s of a non-political group, the Forum. “He cared about Saint Lucia and its people and seemed to know just about the right things to say and do to help others feel better and do better for themselves,” Springer said.
STAR Publisher Rick Wayne has expressed shock at Deterville’s passing. “We are losing all these great people who have made all these great contributions whether or not we agreed with them.
They helped make this society what it is and looking around you don’t see any real signs of these people’s work being taken further,” Wayne lamented.
Rest in peace cuz. . .
Why so surprised? Everyone is dying right now as we speak. I cannot understand how humans always behave as if it is something so new and shocking. Get used to it, you will be cold and stiff soon enough.