Tributes have been pouring in for the late former legislator, Mr Reeial George who passed away at Peebles Hospital on Monday October 21, 2013. Photo: VINO/File

Third District Representative, Hon. Julian Fraser RA said Mr Reeial George wore his heart on his shoulder as he was a very caring person. Photo: VINO/File

Opposition and Virgin Islands Party (VIP) leader, Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal described Mr Reeial George as someone who believed in what was right and proper. He also said Mr George made many good contributions to the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

First District Representative, Hon. Andrew A. Fahie acknowledged the late Mr Reeial George as someone who loved the people and the people loved him. Photo: VINO/File

Second District Representative, Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said Mr George was a fair and brave person who will be remembered for first bringing a proposed bill for illegitimate children in the VI. Photo: VINO/File

Virgin Islands News Online can confirm that former Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Reeial George, who served in a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Administration, passed away this morning October 21, 2013 at Peebles Hospital. Photo: Legco.gov.vg

[From right] Hon. Reeial George [grey shirt] on an official visit to St Kitts/Nevis in 2003. In photo also are then Senior Minister in the St Kitts/Nevis Government Dr The Hon. Timothy Harris and the Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Julian Willock. Photo: VINO

The Late Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Reeial George on an official visit to St Kitts/Nevis in 2003 [grey shirt] Also in photo are Hon. Cedric Lebert then Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries of St Kitts/Nevis [in tie] and then Agricultural Officer for Virgin Gorda Fitzroy Beckford, and Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Julian Willock [in jacket]. Photo: VINO

Among the current legislators who have made their thoughts known is Opposition Leader and Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE who described the late Mr George as an honourable man who believed in what was right and proper and who made many good contributions to the territory.

Mr George was also recognized by Hon. O’Neal for his contribution in ensuring law and order was maintained in the territory but lamented that he left the police force with insufficient inducement. “He left to do carpentry and architectural drawing. He was also a member of the Lion’s and had given good service to the club and the community.”

According to Hon. O’Neal, some people may remember of the Legislative Council as Mr George served two terms; from 1971 to 1975, and he was one of the first four members of the At-Large System introduced in 1995.

The Opposition Leader said he was sorry to see Mr George go and said his family, especially his wife Ms Zelda George and his two children, can be assured that they are being upheld in prayers at this time of their bereavement.

Reeial George wore his heart on his sleeve

“Hon. George was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve and was one who firmly believed in the scripture, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ as he demonstrated it so well by always giving to some cause,” said Member for the Third District, Honourable Julian Fraser, RA.

He added that Hon. George was a man of many talents, one of which was in the building industry as a gifted draftsman and who has left his mark on the territory with the many structures he designed.

“Before politics he was known to all throughout the territory, myself included, as a community man who cared by paying attention to details, a unique quality which he took with him to his life of politics that made him so successful,” Hon. Fraser told Virgin Islands News Online.

“We will all miss Hon. George, and on behalf of my wife Kharid and my constituents of The 3rd Electoral District, I extend condolences to his wife and family and wish God's richest blessings upon them as they face these difficult days ahead.”

Hon. Fraser also described Mr George as his party colleague, fellow Minister and long-time political ally, who in his passing left them all sad. “When news of his death reached me in the morning of Monday October 21st I was not surprised but yet unprepared for somehow death is never welcomed, especially for those close to you,” Hon. Fraser disclosed.

According to the Third District Representative, Mr George, in assuming the role of Minister for Natural Resources and Labour in 2002, was his successor to the post and was happy to have relinquished it to him. “I recall him as being humble and supportive of his colleagues in the party as he went about doing his job like no one else could,” stated Hon. Fraser.

Fair & Brave

Second District Representative, Hon. J. Alvin Christopher said Mr George was fair person who was brave enough to bring a proposed bill on illegitimate children in the VI before the Legislative Council and “even though it was unsuccessful, he was committed in seeing equality and justice for those who were considered illegitimate…”

Speaking exclusively with Virgin Islands News Online, Hon. Christopher also recognized Mr George as one of the greatest Parliamentarians he has ever worked with. “He was a champion for the rights of all people.”

Hon. Christopher also noted that he and Mr George became very close friends as they had shared many of the values and ideals as it relates to dealing with the people they represented.

Late but Great!

Member for the First District, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie also added his bit, saying “On behalf of my family and I and the people of the First District, I express condolences to the family of the late but great Hon. Reeial George. He was an exemplary human being that lived his life caring for others. As a former colleague, I can vividly remember his passion to always do what's best for the people of these beautiful Virgin Islands.”

Hon. Fahie acknowledged Mr George as someone who loved the people and the people loved him. He believed in the rights of children and championed all such causes for years.

“He was a God fearing man. He will be missed. I salute the life of this great man and I publicly acknowledge and thank him for his many positive contributions to these beautiful Virgin Islands. I thank God for his life and I thank his family for sharing him with us over the years. Long live our memories of our now deceased brother, leader, father and friend,” said Hon. Fahie.

Serving in the capacity of as Acting Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, in a GIS press release, also paid tribute on the passing of Mr George, who he said made significant contributions to affect major changes in this Territory.

“For example, he lent his support to the participation of women in the Legislative Council and was an instrumental voice and champion for the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 years,” said Hon. Pickering.

The statement further acknowledged that the former legislator had contributed to the establishment of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College; the expansion of the road network; the construction of the Beef Island Bridge; and the development and expansion of airports in the Territory.

“Additionally, he was a staunch supporter for the improvement of health facilities and school education and infrastructure. He also supported port development and the enhancement of water and electricity supply throughout the Territory,” Hon. Pickering stated in the press release.

Mr George died at Peebles Hospital in the morning hours of Monday October 21, 2013 after a period of illness and hospitalization.

See previous article posted October 21, 2013

Reeial George passes; Was former Minister under VIP Gov't

-The son of Virgin Gorda was the first Government Minister to visit Cuba on official business

Virgin Islands News Online can confirm that former Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Reeial George, who served in a Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Administration, passed away this morning October 21, 2013 at Peebles Hospital.

Mr George, who was born in North Sound, Virgin Gorda September 17, 1938, was the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour from 2002-2003 following the firing of Honourable J. Alvin Christopher, the then Minister for Communications and Works with the Virgin Islands Party.

In 1960, the late George joined the Antigua, Montserrat, and Virgin Islands Police Force. He was the first Virgin Islander to have joined the force to serve locally. The former Minister also holds a Diploma from the North American School of Drafting.

The son of North Sound was also the founding member of the Virgin Gorda Lions Club in 1974 and served as Deputy District Governor representing the clubs from Dominica to the Virgin Islands.

The late Legislator was first elected to the Legislative Council to the then seventh district which was Virgin Gorda in 1971. In the following election of 1975, he lost to Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE.

There was a boundaries commission around 1974 which then turned Virgin Gorda and Anegada into the now ninth district. The election of 1979 saw the return to power of Hon. O'Neal as the representative of that new ninth district.

The upgrading of the road system, the availability of more jobs for his people, and the improvement of schools and health facilities were among his many contributions.

In 1993, after the Constitutional Review that introduced the At-Large System to the Virgin Islands, Mr. George was elected as one of the first At-Large members in 1995 and re-elected again in 1999. He was defeated in the election of 2003, the first time the now National Democratic Party (NDP) government had gained power.

Historical trip to Cuba

Mr George was a pioneer when he served as Minister for Natural Resources and Labour. He was the first Government Minister in the history of the Virgin Islands to make an official visit to Communist Cuba.

It was in October of 2002 that Mr. George led a delegation to Cuba. The historial trip was a return visit to that of former Cuban Vice-Minister for Fisheries Rafael Jimenez, who visited the Virgin Islands in 1995 and an invitation from Mr. Manuel Rodriguez, Director of International Relations for the government of Cuba.

While Mr George did not meet the Cuba 'Strong Man' Fidel Castro, he meet with other high ranking government ministers including the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday November 14, 2002 the then Minister George said the purpose of the visit was to establish a relationship between both governments, find ways to train local fishermen (particularly
in long-line fishing), review their agricultural programme and find markets for local produce.

The Virgin Islands delegation to Cuba from October 28-30, 2002 included then Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Julian Willock, the then Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer Bertrand Lettsome, then Manager of the BVI Fishing Complex Bevin Brathwaite and then Agricultural Officer Bereneice Freeman.

During the 50th anniversary of the Empowerment Through Representation in 2000, Mr George said he believe his contribution while in office was the participation of women in the Legislative Council, the lower of the voting age from 21 to 18 and the construction of the Beef Island bridge and airport projects.

The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Advance Marketing and Professional Services and Virgin Islands News Online express our condolences to the family of the late Legislator.