PM Douglas pays tribute to the late Dr. Vincent P. Audain

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 21st 2013 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has expressed sadness at the passing of Kittitian-born Ophthalmologist and Honorary Consul Dr. Vincent Patrick Audain.

“On behalf of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, I extend sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Our country is certainly in the debt of your late husband, in light of his years of dedicated service to our country, in general, and the invaluable role he played in the creation of a tertiary eye care center here, in particular,” said Prime Minister Douglas in a message of sympathy to his wife, Janet.

Prime Minister Douglas also expressed the Federation’s gratitude for Dr. Audain’s services as Honorary Consul for Atlantic, Canada.

“I trust that his having been awarded the Star of Merit by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will forever be a reminder to you, your children, and your grandchildren, of the esteem in which your dear husband was held in the land of his birth. Please accept my heart-felt sympathy,” Dr. Douglas said.

An obituary posted on Dignity Memorial Canada states:

“Vincent Patrick Audain (1935-2013) passed away peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital on May 12, 2013 in the presence of his loving family. Born in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Vincent was the son of the late Henry George and Irene Albertha (Liburd) Audain. He moved to Canada in 1959 to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Allison University (1963).

In 1969 he graduated from Dalhousie University with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He completed a residency in Ophthalmology at Dalhousie University and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1974.

Vince joined the Dalhousie University Faculty of medicine in 1976 and practiced Ophthalmology for almost 40 years. He spent many years traveling to St Kitts to provide eye care at a time when there was no Ophthalmologist in the country and was integral in facilitating the establishment of a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in St. Kitts.

He was proud to have been appointed Honorary Consul for St. Kitts and Nevis (2000) in Atlantic Canada.

Vince was a member of various medical associations including the Canadian Medical Association, Doctors NS, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Atlantic Provinces Ophthalmology Society. A former president of Doctors NS, he was the first recipient of the Dr. John Savage Memorial Award in International Health (2003) and received the Star of Merit (2005) from the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for his contributions in the field of medicine.

He also served on the Mount Allison University Board of Regents (1994) and received a Doctor of Laws (2006) from Dalhousie University.

Vince was highly regarded by his colleagues in the medical community and his patients and will be fondly remembered by his family and friends.

Vince is survived by his wife of 45 years, Janet; children, Brian of Halifax and Colin (Lori) of Halifax; and by granddaughters Grace and Charlotte. He is also survived by brother, Wendell; sisters, Viola, Rosabelle, Vera, and Norma. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Owen, Walter and George.

The funeral took place at the St Matthew’s United Church, 1479 Barrington Street, last Friday, May 17.