John Lisle Bristol was born in Castries on April 24, 1941 and passed away on April 29, 2012. He attended primary school at the St Joseph’s Convent, secondary school initially at St Mary’s College and then at the Grenada Boys Secondary School where he graduated receiving the Senior Cambridge Certificate.
John was a community man in every sense of the term. He served the people of Saint Lucia and more particularly the people of Castries North East as an elected Member of Parliament during 1982-1987, and again as a Senator in the Upper House in 1987. He has served the people of Castries on the Castries city Council between 1977 and 1980 as a member, as Deputy Mayor and as Mayor.
He has given voluntary service to many groups, clubs and organizations. He served as President of Shamrock Sports Club, as President of the Saint Lucia Junior Chamber of Commerce – The Jaycees, as Vice President of the West Indies Jaycees, as the Director of the Saint Lucia Red Cross, as Chairman of the Lay advisory board of St. Jude Hospital. He also served as National Secretary of the Saint Lucia Scout Association and as a Justice of the Peace. John was actively involved in politics and the United Workers Party serving at the constituency level, as Chairman of the Castries North Constituency Branch, but more prominently, in various capacities on the Executive of the UWP. In spite of his political affiliation he never let politics come in the way of friendship or community service.
His intimate knowledge of most things Saint Lucian has informed the work of many Committees planning the visit of overseas dignitaries to Saint Lucia; among them, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1985, his Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1986 and the Prince of Wales in 1989. John had a passion for protocol and was a constant almost online free resource for anyone or any group planning any function or event. At times his advice was offered unsolicited if he felt that it would improve the person or the event that he was advising on.
John’s knowledge of individuals and families was remarkable. He had an almost intimate knowledge of who was doing what, where and for how long. He cared for all and always inquired or gave words of encouragement to those he knew. John was a true Saint Lucian patriot, whose philosophical posture transcended social, religious, ethnic and political boundaries. He placed country above self and at all times demonstrated his passion for national pride, patriotism and the holistic development of the St. Lucian society.
From 1982- 1987 he worked as parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister John Compton and from 1987 to 1994 he served as his personal assistant. From 1994 he worked at Insurance and Agencies where he was a Director.
In February 2011, he was awarded The Saint Lucia Les Piton Medal (Bronze) for dedicated Community Service. He was appreciated, respected and loved by all who knew him.
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