Longtime former senior public officer Percival “Percy” McDonald has died, it was announced on Wednesday, January 14. The former resident of Diamond Estate, Soufriere, succumbed after a lengthy illness, according to former colleague Cletus Springer.
Springer called McDonald “a gentleman and patriot”.
McDonald was perhaps best known as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and International Financial Services, a role he took up in 1994, and in which he excelled for half a decade.
He had been in public service since the late 80s, working in the ministries of health and agriculture. He continued to serve his community long after his formal departure from central government.
Upon retirement, McDonald focused more on the affairs of Soufriere. He was vice president of the Regional Development Foundation from 1999 to 2004, and chairman of the pioneering Soufriere Marine Management Association from 2000 to 2008. As a member of the Soufriere Parish Council, he helped found a soup kitchen feeding programme for street beggars and indigent persons. Established in 2004, the soup kitchen was managed by the St Vincent DePaul Society, with support from the National Community Foundation.
McDonald later worked extensively in health administration. He was chairman of the board of St Jude Hospital, chairman and consultant administrator of the Spartan Medical Sciences Institute in Hewanorra Orchard, Vieux Fort, and president of Tenelle Health Sciences University.
“It was a pleasure working with him,” recalled Springer on his Facebook page. “The glue between us was the late, great Romanus Lansiquot, who served as Minister in Health and Tourism. When I was transferred to the Ministry of Planning, Percy replaced me at the Ministry of Tourism. We had many lively arguments and shared countless humorous moments.
“He was a fitness fanatic who exercised as often as he could. I used to tease him about his Superman-like, barrel chest.”
At the inaugural GIMIES Awards in 2023, McDonald received a Special Recognition Award for his contribution to the early development of the tourism industry in Saint Lucia. He was cited for developing and strengthening the marketing arm of the ministry, then known as the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, and for spearheading the development of the national taxi association.
In 2000, McDonald was awarded an MBE (Member of Order of the British Empire), in recognition of “service to the public and community”. In 2022, he was upgraded to CBE for “his contribution to Community Services, Development and Outreach Programmes towards alleviating poverty”.
May he rest in perfect peace with the ancestors.
Oh how very very sad to hear. My good friend ,health advocate. Truly a kind generous human. Loved helping others. I will miss you . 😔