Grenada was today informed that Former Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sir James Mitchell, a friend of the Spice Isle, and after a series of illness, took his final breath this morning.
He was the second Prime Minister of that country.
Sir James was age 90.
His death has brought to an end an era in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, since he had been the last surviving parliamentarian at the time, when the island gained political independence from Britain October 27, 1979.
Sir James undoubtedly pushed development in his country to a level of economic stability, being the embodiment of a true statesman and a nation-builder.
Popularly known as “Son Mitchell,” he died five days after being discharged from the Intensive Care Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Barbados, where he was transferred, after falling ill at his home in Bequia, October 30.
He was initially diagnosed as having a gallstone and in Barbados he was treated for severe dengue and sepsis, among other complications.
After being discharged from hospital in Barbados last Thursday, Sir James was taken back to “his beloved home Bequia” where he died.
Former Grenada Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, describes Sir James as a Caribbean man and vividly remembers him playing a role in Grenada’s return to democracy, at the downfall of the People’s Revolutionary Government.
Former Grenada Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas.
When the news broke this morning, Health Minister, Nikolas Steele, at a Post Cabinet Briefing in St. George’s, immediately informed Grenada of his passing.
