UPDATE: Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE suffered stroke; May be flown overseas
Virgin Islands News Online had first and accurately reported on October 1, 2016 that the retired legislator was taken to Peebles Hospital the day before after complaining of feeling unwell.
It was also disclosed today that Hon O’Neal may be taken overseas for specialist care.
“On Friday 30th September 2016 Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE experienced severe discomfort and nausea and admitted to Peebles Hospital for observation and attention. Following analysis by doctors it has been determined that he suffered a stroke and that it will be in his best interest if he is airlifted to the United States for specialist care.”
The family of Hon O’Neal also expressed gratitude to the medical and administrative staff of Peebles Hospital, who they said “displayed exemplary professionalism and care for which that family are most grateful. The family thanks everyone for your visits and prayers and ask that everyone keep Hon O’Neal in your prayers at this difficult time.”
See previous article published October 1, 2016
First Premier of the VI Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE hospitalised
The Virgin Islands first Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE is a patient at Peebles Hospital in Road Town, the island’s main public hospital.
The former Representative for the Ninth District was admitted to hospital late last evening September 30, 2016 after telling family members he was not feeling well. His condition has been described as stable but serious.
Hon O’Neal served the Virgin Islands in elective office for some 40 years from 1975-2015, and became the first Premier in 2007 after the constitutional review when the title was changed from Chief Minister to Premier. He took his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to a landslide victory with 10 seats out of 13 in the 2007 general elections but lost in 2011.
He retired from active politics in 2015 after this news site first and accurately broke the news that he would not be seeking another term. He was 82 at the time of political retirement.
Who Is Hon Ralph T. O’Neal?
Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE is one of several sons of Otto and Esther O’Neal and was born on December 15, 1933 on Virgin Gorda. Hon O’Neal is from the educated class, having received his education at St Mary’s School, Virgin Gorda, the St Kitts/Nevis Grammar School and Oxford University in England where he read Public Administration.
Hon O’Neal entered the teaching service of the Virgin Islands at the age of 18 and began his long and illustrious public service career where he served as School Principal, Clerk of the then Legislative Council, Chief Education Officer and what is referred to today, as Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Trade and Production.
Always a winner at the polls
Hon O’Neal had left the public service to enter the private sector. In 1975 he entered the political arena and was successful in being elected as the Representative of the then Seventh District, of Virgin Gorda. By 1979 there was a shuffling of districts and Virgin Gorda together with Anegada became the Ninth District.
Once elected in 1975 Hon O’Neal never lost an election and was successful in the elections of 1979, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.
Many accomplishments
Hon O’Neal has served in every Ministry in government except the now Ministry of Communications and Works, and became Chief Minister in 1995 after the death of late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt.
It is Hon O’Neal who is directly responsible for well over 90% of all developments on Virgin Gorda and Anegada, from the many roads cut and paved, schools and clinics, police stations, post office, water, electricity, Government Administration Complex and docks, along with being in a position to approved many of the private sector developments on both Virgin Gorda and Anegada.
One of Hon O’Neal’s lasting legacies is the creation of the London Office now the BVI House to secure the VI interest in London and the European Union. His VIP administration is also responsible for much of the development of the Virgin Islands, from the TB Lettsome International Airport, the new Queen Elizabeth Bridge, the Commercial Court, the College and the awarding of Crown lands to residents to build their first home on Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada to name a few.
The VIP led Administration built the first Cruise Ship Dock on Wickham’s Cay, introduced the clinic system throughout the Virgin Islands and constructed all the community centers and schools from Anegada to Virgin Gorda and Tortola.
Alongside the late Chief Minister Stoutt, it was the VIP with Hon O’Neal that also developed the scholarship system whereby students are sent off to college paid for by the state. This system has educated some 5 generations of Virgin Islanders.
A living local & regional legacy served longer than most!
Mr O’Neal has also been the longest serving member of Parliament in the English Speaking Caribbean and has outlasted in elective office other great regional political stalwarts like Trinidad and Tobago’s Sir Eric E. Williams- 25 years (1956-1981) and Antigua and Barbuda’s Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr- 34 years (1960-1994). Hon O’Neal told this news site in an exclusive interview in 2012 that Mr Bird was his political hero.
The son of Virgin Gorda soil, Hon O’Neal also outlasted in elective office St Kitts and Nevis’ Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw’s- 32 years (1946-1978) and Barbados’ Errol Walton Barrow, QC,- 36 years (1951-1987) and Jamaican’s Michael Normal Manley- 25 years in elective office (1967-1992), Guyana’s Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham- 32 years (1953-1985) and also St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell- 34 years (1966-2000).
A steady stream of officials, including current Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party, Hon Julian Fraser RA, (R3) and VIP President Carvin Malone, along with many other relatives and friends, have already visited Mr O’Neal in hospital.
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