Charles Maynard to get official funeral

Charles Maynard addresses a banana farmers consultation in the 1980's. Photo courtesy of Lennox Honychurch, PhD

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that Cabinet has approved an official funeral for the late Ambassador Charles Maynard who died over a week ago.

Speaking on DBS Radio Wednesday, PM Skerrit disclosed that government took that decision because of the sterling contribution the former politician made to Dominica’s development, and that it was welcomed by the family.

“On Tuesday May 22 all flags in the country will be flown at half staff and the viewing of the body will be from 2pm at the St. Alphonsus Catholic church,” the prime minister said.

He also announced that a number of overseas guests and dignitaries are expected to attend the funeral.

Following his passing in the early morning hours of May 8 (2012), at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Ambassador Maynard was described as a nationalist, a hero who will be missed by Dominica, and a man admired for his strength of views.

Seventy-eight year old Maynard is reported to have spent three months at the Barbados Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The former government minister fell ill during a diaspora discussion here last November.

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26 Comments

  1. patriot
    May 16, 2012

    THE TOURISM SECTOR IS WHERE IT IS TODAY BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF THIS MAN. MR MAYNARD WAS RESPECTED INTERNATIONALLY EVEN AS FAR AS THE MIDDLE EAST.

    THE OFFICIAL SEND OFF IS IN ORDER.

    HE IS A NATOINAL HERO.

  2. Professor Rankin
    May 16, 2012

    On a point of order and to whom it may concern:
    Please note that flags are flown at half mast at sea and at half staff on land. Thanks for paying attention.

  3. miss africa
    May 16, 2012

    prime mnister come back here

  4. Anonymous
    May 16, 2012

    Deceased Maynard may have been one of our best Minister of Government. A man who was minister of different Ministries and performed all the jobs exceptionally well – the records speaks. Unlike our new crop of politician (both from labour and UWP) who do not have the capacity to achieve 25% of what Mr Maynard was able sustainably provide Dominica with.

    Deceased Maynard should receive a State Funeral and not an official funeral.

    Labour spends so much money on burying their friends with tax payers money and a man who did so much for Dominica only gets an official funeral – I wonder why?

    • zuma
      May 17, 2012

      whats your point really i dont understand. is this about the funeral / burial or how much he honestly and willingly gave to the people of dominica.is this how you wish to mmeasure A MAN by the type of funmeral he recives???. sometimes i just feel everything you all do in da is for show

  5. Sharon
    May 16, 2012

    I think we as Dominicans must grow up and stop mixing politics with everything. Those who are doing this need to stop. I think it is heartless.

    • Sharon
      May 16, 2012

      It is also like children in their toddler years.

  6. Painful
    May 16, 2012

    What does the UWP have to do with commenting on the death of the former Minister. How many more organization did not comment? Why not list them. I support the previous writer. Shame shame shame

  7. Gee
    May 16, 2012

    That’s Foolishness!!

    The man was an Hon. minister of government!!!

    Why does he need an “official funeral” approved or even debated by any government!! An official or state funeral should be automatic!!

    • I'mWondering
      May 16, 2012

      This is the norm …even the Canadian government had to approve the state funerla for the leader of Opposition… i believe that automatic state funerals are limited to a select few – this case PM and President – for sure

  8. PAT COCHON
    May 16, 2012

    Can you tell why the govt. have not made a statement on the Gon Emmanuel situation?. At least Charles is dead but Gon is continuing to suffer the pain of injustice

    • Kwess
      May 16, 2012

      I think that your name should be “Whole Cochon”!

    • patriot
      May 16, 2012

      THERE IS A DISCOUNT ON COCHON FEED.

      HURRY FOR YOUR LUNCH.

    • BEE
      May 16, 2012

      THAT’S NOT THE PLACE AND TIME FOR THIS COMMENT.
      HAVE A LITTLE RESPECT.

  9. Anonymous
    May 16, 2012

    Dont be ridiculous Mr. Maynard is entitled to a state funeral, he was a member of parliament. Skerritt always has to make things look like a gift from him. Mr. Maynard deserves this an it is not a gift bestowed by Skerritt.

  10. Anonymous
    May 16, 2012

    the man is a former parlimentarian, he must get an official funeral.skerrit did not do anything special

  11. Observer
    May 16, 2012

    Can someone explain why the UWP has not made a statement on the death of Ambassador Charles Maynard who served Dominica and the region with distinction? He was also a member of Parliament.

    Is it that the said party can not identify with anything good?

    I support the Official Funeral in his honour.

    Web Admin I have not posted this before.

    • Ghetto gyal
      May 16, 2012

      but u doing like u doh know what UWP is about (NO GOOD) they have no respect for Dominica

    • Nac Vibes
      May 16, 2012

      The UWP’s contact details are widely known, why don’t you ask them then tell us.

    • Empty Barrel
      May 16, 2012

      If you were listening to the UWP Program on Q last week Thursday, you would have heard Officials of the UWP publicly extended sympathies on the passing on Mr Maynard..

      Please get your information right..

      • Meeee
        May 16, 2012

        The problem is only a few rabid UWP supporters listen to Q. The vast majority of people don’t. So if UWP leaders had extended sympathies on Q, a whole lot of people wouldn’t have heard it.

        Question is, why only on Q they extended sympathies? Why not DNO because every Tom, Dick and Harry read DNO.

  12. Observer
    May 16, 2012

    Can someone tell me why the UWP has not made a statement on the death of the late Ambassador Charles Maynard who served Dominica and the region with distinction? He was also a member of Parliament. Is it that the said Party can not identify with anything good? Please help.

    I support the official funeral in his honour.

    • No Sides
      May 16, 2012

      Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

    • as I see it
      May 16, 2012

      you guys have so much free time for politics that you even use the death of a human being to play politics with. Shame on you guys!

    • Gee
      May 16, 2012

      *****They are still angry****

      They will not comment because it was the Freedom Party under the leadership of “mamo” that broke the UWP legs. Since then they can’t recover in being an effective opposition party for us Dominicans. They still angry at the DFP/Charles Maynard!!

      Once again they are showing their lack of leadership on just basic issues. Hopefully they will make a comment this week.

      DNO have you asked any of the TOP leaders of the UWP for a comment??? If not then you need to!!

      • Nac Vibes
        May 16, 2012

        What’s really eating away at you is that they have given you nothing to express your simplistic views about. We are all free to comment or not and as you do not believe them to be worthy of your thought as an opposition, you should be satisfied that they haven’t. Oh and correction, it was the UWP that sent mamo into retirement.

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