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Hon O'Neal to lie in state @ HoA from 10:30am today, Dec 9, 2019

- Provisions made for sister islands' residents to travel to & from RT
Ahead of the December 11, 2019, state funeral of the late first Premier and Member Emeritus of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Ralph T. O'Neal (OBE), his body will lie in state at the House Chambers beginning today Monday, December 9, 2019, into Tuesday, December 10 from 10:30am to 4:00pm. Photo: Facebook
Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE was the longest-serving elected official in the history of the Territory of the Virgin Islands, having served in the House of Assembly and Legislative Council for almost forty (40) years from 1975 to 2015. On July 6, 2015, the House of Assembly honoured Honourable O'Neal by passing a Resolution bestowing upon him Member Emeritus status. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE was the longest-serving elected official in the history of the Territory of the Virgin Islands, having served in the House of Assembly and Legislative Council for almost forty (40) years from 1975 to 2015. On July 6, 2015, the House of Assembly honoured Honourable O'Neal by passing a Resolution bestowing upon him Member Emeritus status. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Ahead of the December 11, 2019, state funeral of the late first Premier and Member Emeritus of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE, his body will lie in state at the House Chambers beginning today Monday, December 9, 2019, into Tuesday, December 10 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.

As such, provisions were made for residents of the sister islands to travel for both the lying in state and the state funeral, according to a newly revised schedule published this morning, December 9, 2019 by the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Travel Schedule 

Beginning today and tomorrow, December 10, 2019, the Sea Express 1 Ferry departed Anegada at 8:00 am and will depart Virgin Gorda for yet another trip beginning 9:30 am to Tortola. The New Horizon Ferry will depart Jost van Dyke from 9:00 am with ground transportation provided from Road Town to West End.

After lying in state, the Sea Express 1 and the New Horizon Ferry will depart Road Town at 4:00 pm. Sea Express 1 will travel to Virgin Gorda then to Anegada and the New Horizon Ferry will reach West End to Jost van Dyke.

On the day of the Funeral, the Sea Express 1 Ferry will depart Anegada from 7:00 am and Virgin Gorda from 8:00 am. Speedy's Ferry will leave Virgin Gorda from 8:00 am and New Horizons will leave 7:00 am from Jost van Dyke. 

Viewing will only take place on December 9 and 10, as the funeral is expected to be a closed casket on December 11, 2019, which was declared a public holiday.

For the burial in Virgin Gorda, Sea Express 1, 2, Speedy's Ferry and Lady Caroline will each depart Road Town at 1:30 pm. After the burial, trips will be available from VG to Road Town at 4:30 pm with the Sea Express 1 and 2 in addition to Speedy's Ferry with Lady Caroline departing earlier at 4:00 pm. New Horizon Ferry will depart West End for Jost van Dyke at 6:00 pm. 

Live Broadcast 

The funeral is also expected to be broadcasted live on the GIS Facebook page and on the sister islands respectively. Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) will provide updated information on any changes in the schedule.

14 Responses to “Hon O'Neal to lie in state @ HoA from 10:30am today, Dec 9, 2019”

  • VG (09/12/2019, 10:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rip Uncle... Thanks for all you’ve done for the BVI.
  • 123 (09/12/2019, 11:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP uncle
  • apple pie (09/12/2019, 13:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will miss uncle rto
  • rip (09/12/2019, 14:44) Like (0) Dislike (24) Reply
    Now is a really busy time to keep a funeral, should have been in November.
  • @rip (09/12/2019, 17:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Such a INSENSERTIVE DISGUSTING COMMENT,REALLY?
  • concern (09/12/2019, 17:34) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    @rip.... next you would say now is a really busy time to die. Please think before you decide to write nonsense. Your nonsense reaches far and wide. Represent the B. WeeI better than this. Thank you
  • Lovebaby (09/12/2019, 22:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Ralph T O'Neal was a great man i work with him and this wife for 20 years he did will for this people. RIP SIr much love to this family
  • VG (10/12/2019, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest in love good show for day one
  • Eagle Eye (10/12/2019, 08:20) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Does anyone know's why the funeral will be close casket when the body is in perfect shape? For this reason i dont think its rip, have to be rest in somthing else.bless
    • official (10/12/2019, 15:07) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ Eagle Eye ... Just in case you missed the memo... Monday and Tuesday were set aside for the body to lie in STATE for persons like you and I to view. On Wednesday there will be a STATE funeral. What that means is that the casket will be fully draped with the flag before it funeral service and heavily guarded by armed forces. It is prohibited to have viewing at state funeral. I would encourage you to come out even if it's as a bystander to see an official state funeral.
  • foxy (11/12/2019, 06:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We miss him already
  • cube (11/12/2019, 08:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP Hon.Ralph T. O'neal, you've done so much for my family and this country, thank you, we appreciate all your good works. my condolences to your family and close friends especially on virgin gorda.


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