Montserrat yesterday bade a public final farewell to its former chief minister, John Alfred Osborne, who was described by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman Tillman Thomas, as the “quintessential politician and Caribbean integrationist”.
Osborne, 74, who first became the head of the island’s government in 1978 when he led the People’s Liberation Movement (PLM) to victory at the polls, died in the United States where he had gone last year after his health had been deteriorating for several months.
Acting CARICOM Secretary General Lolita Applewhaite, who read the Grenada Prime Minister’s message, said the region had lost a politicians who had made a significant contribution to the regional integration movement.
St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas described Osborne, who casket was draped in the national flag, as a “true patriot and a man who loved his country.
“His patriotism was unparallel. He was a man of the people and had an amazing capacity to communicate with all persons,” Dr. Douglas said, adding that the late chief minister had “great dreams for his country which he articulated fearlessly”.
He said that Osborne, who will be buried in a private ceremony on Saturday at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, was a “strong supporter of regional integration” and insisted in Montserrat playing a meaningful role in CARICOM despite the fact that it was the only non-independent member state. (CMC)
