Pierre Leads Tributes on Passing of Velon John

Former magistrate and parliamentary representative for Laborie Dr Velon Leo John OBE, has died at the age of 83.

Born on April 19, 1942, John represented Laborie from 1997 to 2006 as a member of the Saint Lucia Labour Party.

On Friday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre expressed condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Saint Lucia.

“Dr John rendered exemplary service to the nation in several capacities, including magistrate, senator and Leader of the Opposition. He was widely respected for his sharp intellect, masterful command of language and his commitment to country and community,” Pierre said.

“The Government of Saint Lucia extends sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who mourn his passing. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy endure.” 

In April, in what was promoted as his final public appearance, John launched his book Ramblings of a Mind and Pulsations of a Heart, with Pierre among the attendees. 

In the book John called for the redesigning of the national flag and the dismantling of “colonial vestiges”. The book he said was “a compilation of his thoughts on the multiplicity of subjects that constitute in some measure the fabric of my existence”.

 When asked whether death inspired, frightened or liberated him he had this to say: “I embrace death since as I see it is the transitioning from the metaphysical state of becoming to being. It is the gateway to the unknown and that I find fascinating… A veritable exciting encounter. So what is there to fear, what is there to be perturbed about the phenomenon of death. It is inevitable.”