The entire nation has been thrown into mourning following the death of the first prime minister of Dominica, Patrick Roland John. The prime minister who led Dominica to independence in 1978 died at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) on Tuesday. The cause of his death is yet to be made public.
President Charles Savarin, PM Roosevelt Skerrit, former Prime Minister Oliver OJ Seraphine, and CEO of WICE Q95 FM radio, Sheridan Gregoire, among other notable figures in Dominica have expressed shock at John’s demise and offered condolences to his widow, Desiree John.
“It is with sadness that I have learnt of the passing of our first Prime Minister, Patrick Roland John, better known as PJ and I therefore wish on behalf of the government and the people of Dominica, on my own behalf and my family, to extend our sincere condolences to his wife and his children on their loss,” Skerrit said.
Skerrit, who announced that John will be interred at the expense of the government, also disclosed that the national flag must be lowered during his burial. He noted that the former prime minister was once the political leader of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and that he contributed immensely to the emergence of the party and the development of the country.
Skerrit said it is unfortunate that the people of Dominica never really appreciated all that John did for the country during his short tenure as prime minister.
President Charles Savarin also released a statement on the demise of the former premier. He said he is saddened with the news of John’s death and described him as a national leader who brought several development to Dominica. He offered his condolences to the widow of the deceased national leader and grand-daughter Kordelle Jean-Jacques who works in the Office of the President.
“I was deeply saddened upon hearing the news of the passing on Tuesday, 6th July 2021, of former Prime Minister Honourable Patrick Roland John at the Dominica China Friendship (DCF) Hospital,” President Savarin wrote.
CEO of Q95 FM radio, Sheridan Gregoire, said the Qdos to Our Heroes committee, of which he is the chairman, had resolved to award the QDos to our Heroes award to Patrick John on November 1, but didn’t know he would die before the awards ceremony. He said, however, that the award will be bestowed on his widow to demonstrate what he has done for Dominica.
Former PM Oliver Seraphine also expressed sadness at the demise of John, saying he was the father of Dominica. Seraphine was sworn to office as interim prime minister following theoust of John in 1979. He said the deceased prime minister was a true democrat and a patriot who had the love of the nation at heart. He said John will be missed sorely by everyone and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Former MP Patrick John succeeded E.O. Leblanc as Premier of Dominica in 1974. He had held several ministerial posts before then. Dominica gained independence from the British under his administration in 1978 and he became the first prime minister of the country. He was also a former president of the Dominica Football Association (DFA) and led the association to become a FIFA affiliate. His wife is currently at the DCFH where she is being treated for a leg injury before the death of her husband at the same hospital.
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