(Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris says the passing of Former Governor of the Associated State of St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, Sir Probyn Inniss MBE, has left a tremendous void in the national psyche of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Sir Probyn Inniss, who served as Governor from 1975 to 1981, died on Sunday, March 12, at the age of 80. He was born in St. Kitts on November 18, 1936.

The honourable prime minister was joined by Governor General, His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton and Cabinet colleagues the Honourable Lindsay Grant and Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron in paying his respects to the former Governor while he lay in state at Government House earlier today, Wednesday, March 23, 2017.

While there, the dignitaries, led by the Governor General and Prime Minister Harris, signed the Book of Condolences.

Hundreds of well-wishers, including family members, friends and school children, also visited Government House throughout the morning to pay their respects.

Throughout his illustrious life, Sir Probyn rendered distinguished service as a Governor; civil servant; heritage proponent, most notably as the longstanding President of the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society; historian; lawyer; preacher in the Methodist Church St. Kitts Circuit; teacher, and writer.

Prime Minister Harris said, “Sir Probyn was an eminent citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis who served well. He served with decency and he served with dignity. We will miss him for the wealth of knowledge of historical events, our place in the context of our own history and our efforts at development.”

“I want on behalf of the nation therefore to again extend sincerest condolences to Lady Inniss and his three children at this time as they mourn this colossal loss, a loss not only to the family but to the entire country,” Dr. Harris continued.

Prime Minister Harris later joined hundreds of well-wishers at the Wesley Methodist Church on Seaton Street, Basseterre for Sir Probyn’s state funeral which commenced at 2:30 pm.