Published 3 August 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News
Douglas: “Eustace John – a nation builder who served in several administrations for 60 years as a public servant”
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 3RD 2017 – Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has described the late Eustace John as a nation builder, who rose through the ranks of the civil service in various capacities.
“St. Kitts and Nevis has lost another nation builder,” said former prime minister Douglas in a glowing tribute.
Dr. Douglas noted that Mr. John, who retired in April as Deputy Governor General of Nevis, had a personal contact with him when he assumed the Office of Prime Minister in July 1995.
“His service was outstanding having served when St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla was a colony and then from one administration to the next, though differently politically- oriented, but giving the best of his service and advice. He served under the (Labour Government) of Sir Robert Bradshaw, (the Labour Government) of Sir C A Paul Southwell; (the Labour Government of Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore; (the PAM/NRP administration) of Sir Kennedy Simmonds, my own administration and then that of Dr. Timothy Harris,” said Dr. Douglas.
“On taking the reins of office as prime minister, he was a reliable person, especially through the early days, months and years of my administration. Having come into government fresh from the campaign and wanting to turn ideas into policies, Eustace John was always there, available to contact and consult with, especially on matters of public policy. He always cautioned to go slowly and to do it right,” said Dr. Douglas.
He described Mr. John as “one of the chief architects in preparing my Labour Administration through the period of transition to achieve 20 years of service to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
“I will always remember him as cool, calm, collective and always ready at a moment’s notice to sit, to guide and give the wealth of his experience that he had accumulated over the years, imparting knowledge in a way that would make you feel very comfortable, that there was no particular agenda on his part. All that he wanted was for the good of the country and the smooth running of the public service,” said the former prime minister.
Dr. Douglas personally visited Mrs. Dahlia John to express his condolences when he visited the home at Greenlands.
A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Friday 4th August at the St. Georges Parish Church on Cayon Street at 10:00 am.
The body will be viewed from 8:30 a.m. Burial is at the Springfield Cemetery.
Mr. John, who died on July 27th 2017, was born in Rose Hill, Gingerland, Nevis in 1939.
He attended the Gingerland Boys School and then the Charlestown Secondary School where he obtained his Cambridge School Certificate.
He also obtained several certificates and diplomas between the period of 1963 and 1985, including a Bachelor of Science Degree certificate in Business Studies Part 1 from the University of the West Indies.
Mr. John also taught at the Charlestown Secondary School in 1957 and later that same year he worked as a Treasurer and Custom Officer until 1960.
Between the years of 1960 and 1962, he worked as a Social Welfare Officer between St. Kitts and Nevis. He also held the post of Chief Revenue Officer in Anguilla from 1962 to 1963.
When he returned to St. Kitts in 1964, he worked at the Customs and Excise Department as the Examination Officer until 1966. He was transferred to the General Post Office from 1966 to 1969 where he served as the Officer in Charge of the Parcel Post Section.
From 1969 to 1971, he was transferred to the Premier’s Ministry in St. Kitts as the Administrative Assistant.
He worked at ZIZ Radio and Television as Commercial and Accounts Manager from 1971 to 1972 and was promoted to General Manager from 1972 to 1981.
Mr John worked as Accountant General, St. Kitts and Nevis from 1981 to 1994.
In 1994, he was appointed as Deputy Governor General, St. Kitts and Nevis with responsibility for the island of Nevis.
Mr. John, who was awarded the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1996. The production studio at ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation is also named in his honour.
In 2004, the delivered the Throne Speech in the absence, due to illness of then Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Montraville Sebastian. Mr John retired on 30th April 2017.
Until 2003, Mr. John played several roles as a civic minded individual within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
He was an ardent member of the Boys Scout Movement and played different roles on several disciplinary committees and was the manager of the Santos Football Team in St. Kitts from 1971 to 1972.
He was Secretary of the Nevis Cricket team in 1961 until 1962 and managed the Nevis Cricket Team in the Leeward Islands Competition in 1962.
He is an honorary member of the Lions Club of St. Kitts and served as a member of the Appeals Committee of the St. Kitts Netball Association.
He also served as a Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer in the Anglican Church .
Photo 1 – The late His Honour Mr. Eustace John
Photo 2 – The Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
