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by pltm
(PLTM) - It was a sombre mood as Andre Braithwaite played a fitting tune on his trumpet to herald the arrival of beloved leader of the British Virgin Islands and Member Emeritus Hon. Ralph T O’Neal, OBE to the House of Assembly.
As officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Fire and Rescue Services carried the body former Premier into the Chambers which he graced with his presence for 39 years, the loss to the Territory was obvious among the early gathering who lined up to pay their final respects.
The morning’s event commenced with the family viewing the body. This was followed by Governor Augustus Jaspert and Premier Hon. Andrew Fahie who led the procession of legislators and senior officials in the signing of the guestbook, viewing of the body and offering kind words to the family.
The gathering including Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Dame Janice Mesadis Pereira (née George), DBE; Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Julian Willock, Deputy Premier Hon. Vincent Wheatley, Minister for Health Hon. Carvin Malone, Minister for Works Hon. Kye Rymer, Deputy Speaker Hon. Neville Smith, Junior Minister for Trade Hon. Shereen Flax-Charles, Junior Minister for Tourism Hon. Sharie de Castro, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Marlon Penn, Senior Member of the House of Assembly Hon. Julian Fraser, Second District Representative Hon. Melvin Mitch Turnbull, and Sixth District Representative Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines.
The attendees also included Attorney General, Hon. Baba Aziz; Deputy Governor David Archer, former Speakers of the House of Assembly, Keith Flax, Reuben Vanterpool and Inez Archibald. Some of the former legislators included Alvin Christopher, Dancia Penn, E. Walwyn Brewley, Lloyd Black, and Dr. Angel Smith, among others.
There were also members of the judiciary as well as other senior public servants in attendance.
Hon. O’Neal’s body will lie in state at the House of Assembly Chambers until 4:00 p.m. and again tomorrow, December 10. This will be the final opportunity for viewing as the funeral service will be a closed casket.
A State funeral will take place on Wednesday, December 11. A procession will precede the funeral service commencing at 9:00 a.m. from the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex to Multipurpose Sports Complex.
The route is along Administration Drive, turning right on Waterfront Drive around the roundabout on Fleming Street onto Fishlock road, turning right on Pickering Road then right to Station Avenue to the Multipurpose Sports Complex for the service.
Immediately following the funeral there will be a motorcade from the Multipurpose Sports Complex to the Road Town Ferry Terminal.
Hon. O’Neal will be buried at the O’Neal burial ground on Virgin Gorda. There will be a motorcade from the St Thomas Bay Ferry Terminal up to Speedy’s Corner right to the Methodist Church down Millionaire road right to the Catholic Community Centre. The motorcade will be followed by a procession from the Catholic Community Centre to the Town Bay well adjacent to the O’Neal burial grounds.
Wednesday, December 11 was declared a public holiday as the Territory mourns the loss of one if its founding fathers. Hon. O’Neal passed on November 11 at the age 85 years.
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