VI’s first Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE passes
According to reports reaching our newsroom, Hon O’Neal passed away today, November 11, 2019 after being ill for some time.
He was 85 years of age.
The Office of the Premier has since released a Bulletin informing of Hon O’Neal’s passing.
According to the Bulletin, the O’Neal family said: “It is with great regret that the family of the Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE and Member Emeritus inform friends and family, together with local, regional and international associates, of the passing of our beloved husband, father and leader.”
Flowers given
It was only on October 18, 2019 that the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, through Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), successfully brought a resolution to the House of Assembly for the Central Administration Complex to be known as the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex.
The late Hon O’Neal, who retired from active politics in 2015 after some 40 years as an elected member [1975-2015], was the first Premier of the British Overseas Territory of the VI and the second Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), serving after the party’s first Chairman and Founder H. Lavity Stoutt.
The management and staff of Virgin Islands News Online extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE.
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22 Responses to “VI’s first Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE passes”
O'Neal Was hero for the people of the British Virgin Islands. This day should declared as a national holiday for the country first Premier with forty years in politics.
Condolences to the entire family
By Tafari Zharr November11, 2019
In cricket the pitch is a prepared rectangular area between two wickets
At each end of the pitch the bowler bowls and the batsman plays
The valued Umpire calls the game, may make strikers and bowlers shame:
“pitch is to cricket what governance is to politics; like two sides of the same man.
Ralph took to the fields wearing protective shield strapped to his left arm;
Of mirrors of man, Of Courage, Commitment, and Confidence
That Closeness with Constituents Cheated him of Connections taken for granted
The Struggle of an umpire: Is the bowler bowling correctly
Yet A fork in the ground, an investment, a story, an ideal, Or a dream!
A Stream of Light: An influential Virgin Islander Leader, Virgin Gordans Should Beam
So, Unequivocal You are What You Wear in Cricket and “You Are What You Pitch”-White: Dead, Dusty, or Green:
More than ground-breaking and deeds, beyond the shore, sounds, and seas – No disrespect, I’m unforgetting Viola!
Beyond, “Dreadlocks” An adaptation-of-hair, for fear: Caribbean vs Colonization”- Rework the Inefficacy – minor taint to Ralph’s Legacy
Beyond, one last look of what it took Ralph to reach great political heights; SA-CRI-FICE – and lil’ mayhems: mavens understand!
Beyond, how useful to believe behind great man great children, grands, and woes of man
Beyond, what doesn’t unite us, yet neither nothing nor something prepares you or I for this forlorn glum
This lost is great and cogently leaves our communities grieving and mum.
Cricketing meets a political empire for the ages!
But it cost him Connections in phases – and took others to faraway places
“pitch is to cricket what governance is to politics; like two sides of the same man.
In Memoriam of an Influential Virgin Islander Leader For the Ages Who Served With His Labor, Love and Life. RIP Honorable Esteem Ralph Tedford O'Neal Sr.
Statesman
He loved all with no divisions
It hurt me hearing this today
But he has served his time leaving a lasting impression for all
And anyone who came into contact with him may his goodwill and love for his country live on
Hope to see a statue of him soon
Uncle Ralph
Father of Virgin Gorda & Anegada