His son Carl describes him as the brother he never had, a good citizen who gave of himself unselfishly to others, and who believed in education and wanted to see others excel.
Ambassador Charles Maynard, the diplomat who served Dominica at CARICOM and OECS level, was being given an official funeral on Tuesday afternoon.
The many locals and dignitaries at the service seemed to agree that his was “a life well lived”.
Former agriculture minister, Heskeith Alexander, who served with the deceased Maynard in the Dame Eugenia Charles-led Dominica Freedom Party administration, describes him as “the perfect gentleman”.
“He was a person who liked to see things happen,” Alexander, on hand for the funeral, told Dominica News Online.
“He taught me in second form in Grammar School, and we ended up in Cabinet together,” Alexander said.
Charles Maynard wore many hats in his lifetime, including those of public servant, businessman, politician, parliamentarian and diplomat.
But he was first and foremost a family man.
His son Carl told DNO that “his wisdom was exceptional, he was very trustworthy, he was like a confidante I could go to him and talk about anything basically, and he would always come up with a wise word”.
“Daddy was always there for us – I will miss his presence, as I said we used to spend a lot of time together, we used to talk about everything,” Carl, the IT Manager at electricity company DOMLEC, recalls.
“I want Dominicans to remember him as an exceptional individual, very religious, very charismatic, very giving,” the grieving son told DNO.
Among officials paying tribute to Ambassador Maynard is Edward Lambert, the principal adviser in the Prime Minister’s office.
“He was a devoted husband and father, distinguished public servant, a fervent nationalist, a resolute developmentalist, a diehard regionalist, a discerning reformist and an unapologetic Christian,” Lambert says of Ambassador Maynard.
“He was able to laugh at himself, and had a tremendous sense of humour. In his book PATHWAY TO SERVICE he is witty, philosophical, somber, and brilliantly weaves the secular with the spiritual,” Lambert says in his tribute to Maynard.
Former financial secretary Alick Lazare too has had much to say about Charles Maynard, but sums it up in one sentence:
“Wherever he walked, he left behind a trail of success,” Lazare says of Maynard, whom he also describes as a renowned orator of the first order.
Among the dignitaries who turned up at the St Alphonsus Church in the capital for Tuesday afternoon’s official farewell to Ambassador Maynard was CARCOM Secretary General, Dominican-born Irwin LaRocque.
Ambassador Maynard died on May 8 (2012) – he had been ailing for a number of months, having fallen ill at a diaspora consultation held by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and his Cabinet at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau late last year.
RIP
RIP sir. To me the casket looks like it is about to fall…
R.I.P Mr Maynard…He was a really a nice man….
Thanks for the service to Dominica
DNO, please do me a HUGE favour and get a list of the dignitaries who ‘turned up’ for the funeral. There were fellow ambassadors and politicians and diplomats from here and overseas. You did not do justice here at all. Thank you.
He went to work even though he didn’t feel well. He was always there to try to help in his capacity and thank God that he was. He could make things happen. I had the good fortune of meeting with him several times, the last time about a month before his transition. Now…..who will take his place and fill his big shoes?
What happen to STATE funeral? Is that the same as Official funeral? I find his funeral to be so regular, unofficial material. If people didn’t know who he was, you would never know by that funeral.
The people u people look up to, just unbelievable the level of hypocrisy in Dominica!
Your opiinion…shut up!
they just had to mention where he feel ill.r.i.p mr maynard you served you purpose in dominicas
hahahaha you did want them to mention where he fall sick, when is all them crap they talking that killing them off, espercailly when Skerrit talk.
as i say i do not know the man but i have been reading the news and as i have seen and read he mas have don good for his place i am not from Dominica i am st Lucia but live in the u s of a but i read news from all over
i don’t know him but i think he was a good man
you can only say that because you dont know everything there is to know.
No man will ever know the amount of bouquets or brickbats he has achieved in his lifetime from the many persons he came in contact with, cause he never hears any of it, since all is said when one has left this earth.
MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE NOW MR MAYNARD, AND MAY THE LORD WELCOME YOU HOME.
Thank you Ambassador Charles Maynard. You served your family, church and country well. Now, rest in eternal peace.I will always remember you.
he was a truly one of dominica icons may his soul rest in peace pope
Rest in Peace my friend and mentor. No matter wat the detractors say, the take away from your contribution. Well done.
RIP Maynard- A Man of Service for People, country/Caribbean region God fearing person
R.I.P. The doors of heaven is wide open to receive you. That police officer is “SHARP”.Ambassador Maynard would be proud of you.
On Behalf of Haiti’s Government , we acknowledge Sincere Condolences to the Family and friends of the late Charles Maynard who worked very hard in the CARICOM and he has worked very Hard in helping in such ways for Haiti
May your Intelligent and powerful soul rest in the Lord hands
Your memories will never die till we meet again
Peace peace peace
Love you
Haitian Citizen
Rest in peace Mr. Maynard
REST IN PEACE a great son of the soil.
RIP. Listening via the net.