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by pltm
(PLTM) - A large gathering converged at the Multipurpose Sports Complex, today December 11 to bid farewell to former Premier and Member Emeritus of the House of Assembly (HoA), Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal.
The morning’s main event commenced with persons lining the streets along the path that spanned from the Administration Complex to the Multipurpose sports complex to observe the hearse slowly traveling amidst ceremonial marching of police and uniformed organizations.
At the service, the casket was draped with the BVI flag and placed at the center of the gathering that featured attendance from Government officials,visiting high-ranking Legislators and residents.
This gathering also included members of the public, residents of the Ninth District that Hon. O’Neal represented for 40 years, his family and friends, members of the judiciary of the BVI along with the entire Eastern Caribbean; as well as former HoA members, Speakers, and clerks of the Legislative Council.
The fact that Hon. O’Neal was a regional statesman was highlighted by the representation from governments within the Caribbean.
Those in attendance included: The Governor of the United States Virgin Islands Albert Bryan, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach; Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation of St Vincent and the Grenadinesm Saboto Caesar; Senate President of the 33rd Legislature of the USVI, Novelle Francis Jr.; Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, Londel Benjamin; Member Of Parliament of Bermuda, Christopher Famous, and Director of Public Prosecutions for the Government of St Kitts represented the Government of St Kitts, Valston Graham.
Touching moments during the service included the reflections from Hon. O’Neal’s oldest and youngest daughters as they gave vivid insight into the family life of the beloved leader.
The elder daughter, Esther O’Neal-Wheatley in giving this insight told the gathering, “In his public life his accolades are many and his list of accomplishments area well known, but today I speak of him as the person behind the public view – the father.”
“Foremost he was strong willed and principled. Discipline and respectful especially to our elders were the insisting and constant teaching along with large doses of the importance of education, work ethics and global curiosity,” O’Neal-Wheatley said.
On the other hand, youngest daughter Abigail O’Neal explained that she admired that her father would treat everyone with respect and people from all walks of life felt comfortable speaking to him.
“He was kind and gentle but also said sometimes you have to speak to people in a language they understand. He was a committed and dedicated man who never did things half way and always tried to lift those around him to meet their full potential,” the younger O'Neal said.
Other tributes were delivered by Premier Hon. Andrew Fahie; Governor Bryant; Minister for Health, Hon. Carvin Malone; Deputy Premier Hon. Vincent Wheatley; and the BVI Christian Council.
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