PM Douglas to lead St. Kitts and Nevis delegation to Sir Fred’s official funeral
 |
|
Robert Bradshaw Cabinet prior to Statehood (left to right) – Minister Without Portfolio, Hon. F. T. Williams; Attorney General, Hon. Basil Dias; Chief Minister Hon. Robert L. Bradshaw; Administrator, Sir Fred Phillips; Minister of Finance, Trade, Development and Tourism; Hon. C.A.Paul Southwell; Minister of Education, Health and Welfare, Hon. Joseph N. France and Minister of Agriculture and Labour, Hon. William Glasford. (National Archives Photo) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 28TH 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is to lead the Federation’s delegation to the Friday’s official of late Caribbean statesman Sir Fred Phillips CVO, QC.
The delegation, which includes Ministers of Government and platoons from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, will join mourners from Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean at the funeral service at the Spring Gardens Moravian Church.
Sir Fred, the first black Administrator and Governor of St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, a barrister-at-law and Queen’s Counsel who practiced in Civil Litigation, Contract Law, Banking and Constitutional Law died at his Hodges Bay home on February 21, at the age of 92.
The Funeral Planning Committee headed by Antiguan Member of Parliament, Dr. the Hon. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro has already met and a special sitting of the High Court will be convened on Thursday, the day before the funeral, when lawyers and members of the legal fraternity will pay tribute.
|
|
|
From left, late Sir Fred Phillips, Antigua and Barbuda Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Lady Gloria Phillips and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas during Sir Fred’s 90th birthday celebration two years ago. (Photo courtesy Lady Phillips) |
Sir Fred’s body will lie in repose at Government House for public viewing from noon on Friday, before being taken to Spring Gardens on St John’s Street for the 2 pm Service of Thanksgiving.
Antigua Bishop Kingsley Lewis will present the sermon while the service will be officiated by Reverend Dr. George Mulrain, Connexional President of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas. The lessons will be read by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Baldwin Spencer and Archbishop Orland Lindsay.
Sir Fred will be interred at St John’s Public Cemetery. Sir Fred will be accorded a three-volley gun salute at the interment.
The late Sir Fred Phillips is perhaps best known to the public because he was the first Black man since the English took control of St. Kitts in 1650 to be appointed Administrator and then Governor of what was then known as St Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla from 1967-1969.