Published 29 July 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
PM Skerrit of Dominica announces Official Funeral for Dermot Southwell
Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 29, 2018 – Dermot Southwell, son of the Right Excellent Sir C. A. Paul Southwell, National Hero, former Chief Minister and Premier of St. Kitts and Nevis, who died in Dominica last week will be given an official funeral in Dominica on Monday 30th July. Sir Paul Southwell was born in Dominica.
Dermot Southwell died on Wednesday 25 July at the age of 80. On Thursday 26 July, several Members of the Parliament of Dominica offered condolences to Mr. Southwell’s brother and children, who were invited to the afternoon session of Parliament.
“The Government of Dominica has afforded the late Dermot Eustace McNair Southwell, former parliamentarian, an Official Funeral to be held on Monday, July 30, 2018,” a statement from the Office of Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit said.
“The Government of Dominica has declared Monday, July 30, 2018, an official day of mourning as a mark of respect for the late Dermot Southwell. The Dominica Flag should be flown at half staff on all public buildings in the State on that day – Monday, July 30, 2018,” the statement said.
The late Dermot E. M. Southwell was born in Montserrat on December 24, 1937. He attended the Dominica Grammar School and then went on to pursue studies in Airport Management and Administration in London and Personnel Administration and Industrial Relations in Trinidad.
In 1990, Mr. Southwell was appointed as a Government Senator in Parliament by then Prime Minister the late Dame Mary Eugenia Charles.
On June 1, 1990, he was appointed Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, a position he held till June, 1995,” the statement from Prime Minister Skerrit’s office said.
“He was deeply involved in community development and served on various boards and committees. At the time of his death he was serving as Chairman of the Integrity in Public Office Commission. Mr. Southwell served for a number of years as Chairman of the Carnival Development Committee. He was also a former Chairman of the Dominica Air and Seaports Authority and Managing Director of J. Astaphan & Company, the statement added.
His Excellency, Charles Savarin President of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Mrs. Savarin, Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Members of Cabinet, Members of the House of Assembly, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and other Government Officials are expected to attend the Official Funeral Service for Mr. Dermot Eustace McNair Southwell.
The Official Funeral Service of the late Dermot Eustace McNair Southwell will take place on Monday, July 30, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bethesda Methodist Church followed by interment at the Roseau Public Cemetery.
Dermot Southwell is survived by his wife, Alison, children – Gillian, Wendy, Karen, Deanne and Dermot Jr.; brothers – Rustum and Shakespeare; sisters – Serene, Lorenzo, Pixie, Clytie and Vesta (Vicki).
Photo 1 – Dermot Southwell’s brother and daughters in Parliament as parliamentarians pay tribute
Photos of Dermot Southwell
