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‘Godfather of tourism on JvD’ Albert H. Chinnery honoured

- Admin building renamed in his honour
The Jost van Dyke administration building has now been officially reopened and it honours a late Customs Officer, Albert H. Chinnery (inset), who had given more than 30 years of his life in service to the Virgin Islands. Photo: Deputy Governor’s Office/Facebook
From left: Deputy Governor, Mr David D. Archer Jr, Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) at the Reopening/Renaming ceremony of the Jost van Dyke administration building. Photo: Deputy Governor’s Office/Facebook
From left: Deputy Governor, Mr David D. Archer Jr, Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) at the Reopening/Renaming ceremony of the Jost van Dyke administration building. Photo: Deputy Governor’s Office/Facebook
The late Albert H. Chinnery was a well loved and respected Customs Officer on Jost van Dyke. Photo: VINO
The late Albert H. Chinnery was a well loved and respected Customs Officer on Jost van Dyke. Photo: VINO
Niece of the late Albert H. Chinnery, Desiree Gomez, centre, said her uncle fostered life-ling relationships with visitors to the island and treated everyone with respect. Photo: VINO
Niece of the late Albert H. Chinnery, Desiree Gomez, centre, said her uncle fostered life-ling relationships with visitors to the island and treated everyone with respect. Photo: VINO
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost van Dyke, VI- The Jost van Dyke administration building has now been officially reopened and it honours a late Customs Officer who had given more than 30 years of his life in service to the Virgin Islands.

The late Albert H. Chinnery died on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2001 following a brief illness, Chinnery's niece, Desiree Gomez, said while telling stories of her uncle at the reopening and renaming ceremony today, December 20, 2019.

Gomez said Mr Chinnery loved fishing and farming the land.

Among his proud life achievements was when he was bestowed with the Queen’s Certificate and Badge of Honour 30 years ago, in 1989.

Chinnery treated everyone with ‘respect’

"He loved his relatives and everyone he met. He welcomed visitors to the island and treated everyone with respect," Gomez remarked.

"Many of the visitors he met corresponded with him and would inquire about him upon their return to the island," she said in loving memory.

"He was truly the unsung hero," added John Klein, who was one of Chinnery's many friends.

He said Chinnery would not allow anyone in his office without shoes or a shirt, which garnered chuckles from the crowd, as he described his late friend as a "no nonsense kind of man" who had good traditions.

Godfather of JvD tourism

Klein said he felt 'great pride' that his late friend's legacy would live on with the renaming of the administration building on Jost van Dkye in Mr Chinnery’s honour.

"This is a great day for JVD, the godfather of tourism in JvD," Klein said, beaming with pride.

Several government officials were present, including Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert; Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); and Deputy Governor, Mr David D. Archer Jr, among others.

6 Responses to “‘Godfather of tourism on JvD’ Albert H. Chinnery honoured”

  • ... (20/12/2019, 16:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good work vip
  • Yes (20/12/2019, 16:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    LONG IN COMING!!! THANK GOD FOR THE NEW GOVERMENT
  • Bull Dawg (20/12/2019, 18:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good work indeed.
  • Flashback (20/12/2019, 19:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    So glad to see Albert being recognized for his dedicated service. I can remember our interactions when he acted as Customs, Immigration and government Agent on Jost Van Dyke back in 1975. Here is a little history for you, as a young man aged 24 I can remember training Albert on the proper way that the E\D card should be filled out. This training included all the officers in the Immigration Department at the time Ola Smith, Gretel Stoutt, Albert, Mr. Donovan of Carrot Bay, Mr Saunders of Virgin Gorda. I remember Marion Romney introducing Dennis Jennings on his first Day at the Department, "Mr. Pickering this is Mr. Jennings show him the ropes." The bottom floor of the now Police headquarters' the side towards the ferry dock was divided between Immigration and Labour Departments. Each had a small office and a common counter. The Immigration Office was staffed by Marion Romney, Myrthlyn Malone, Ira Hodge, Winston 'Doc' Holliday and myself. The Labour office was staffed By Joey Smith, Calvin 'Tuley' Baronville, Wendel "Scamp' Potter and Doris Rhymer\George. In those days Antilles Airboat a seaplane service would arrive at the Craft Alive area and we would walk to the little shed there to clear the passengers. Tourists would be admitted with their Drivers licence. Most of Wichams Cay was a wilderness, giant Acacia trees grew in the sand, the transformation is truly amazing. Yes its good to see another of our lot honoured, hopefully some others will be recognized in due time. Respect to Family, relatives and friends of Albert Donovan and the Jost Van Dyke community.
  • @flashback (20/12/2019, 20:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you very much for the history lesson. It would be amazing if people such as yourself with so much BVI history in your heads could come together and put together a snapshot of BVI history for the youth, complete with photos, i am sure you have in your archive. We know where the BVI is today but to see the journey through the eyes of the people who lived it would be amazing. I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas.
  • ABC (20/12/2019, 21:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our people are the ones who built the entire bvi


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