Address to the Nation by St. Lucia’s acting Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King on the passing of Sir John Compton

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Fellow St. Lucians, Sons and Daughters, good evening.

It is with the deepest regret and much sadness that I inform you of the sad news of the passing of Sir John George Melvin Compton, Prime Minister of our beloved nation, Saint Lucia. Sir John passed away this evening at 6:50 at the Tapion Hospital where he has been ever since his return to the island on Wednesday 5th September 2007.

Sir John accompanied by his wife Lady Janice Compton, was airlifted to Martinique by the air ambulance on Saturday September 1st and was admitted to the intensive care unit of Lamenard Hospital. Despite receiving the very best medical care in Martinique, Sir John’s situation deteriorated further and he had to be placed on a ventilator to assist his breathing.

Sir John Compton

On Tuesday September 4th the medical authorities in Martinique advised that nothing more could be done to improve his condition and that no more medical interventions would be initiated.

Under these circumstances it was suggested that the ultimate courtesy to Sir John would be to return him to Saint Lucia to spend the time he had left among his own people.

After consultation with Sir John’s doctors in Saint Lucia, the decision was taken to bring him home. Sir John was therefore airlifted to Saint Lucia on the morning of September 5th 2007 and taken to the Tapion Hospital accompanied by his wife Lady Janice.

Sir John finally succumbed to his illness at about 6:50 on Friday September 7tj with his family at his bedside. At the time of his death Sir John was 82 years old.

A committee under the Chairmanship of Former Prime Minister Dr. Bryan Michael Pilgrim has been formed to plan the funeral arrangements. An announcement in this regard will be made in due course.

In observance of the passing of Sir John, the nation will observe a period of mourning which will begin today and will continue for a period of two weeks. Flags should be flown at half mast for the duration of this period.

We ask the Lord to bless and to strengthen Lady Janice, Sir John’s children and his family in this, their moment of bereavement and we ask the nation to come together as one family, united.

May Sir John’s soul rest in peace and may God bless Saint Lucia.