Don Christopher remembered as a fighter and liberator
Dominica News Online - Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Christopher in happier times dancing at a recent Oldies Dance Party
Outspoken Attorney Don Christopher, who passed away on Monday following recent surgery, is being described by some here as a fighter and a liberator.
“He was a committed Dominican,” his cousin Sylvester “Cess” Joseph told DNO while acknowledging that Christopher would be missed.
“He did make a significant contribution to Dominica in terms of his activities – he was a ball of fire, very very committed to Dominica and that was his guiding principle – Dominica first,” Cess said in tribute to the deceased attorney who was also active politically.
Farmer Randy Aaron whom Christopher represented in court on a variety of matters, says Don gave him “some serious and positive legal direction”.
“He was a champion,” Aaron adds, recalling that he worked with Christopher as part of a team that went around and ensured that the United Workers Party was properly launched.
“Don to me, he was a liberator,” was how Aaron summed him up.
Broadcaster Lennox Linton describes Christopher as “a man who faithfully stood for the causes that needed his assistance”.
“He was firm against those wrongs he felt needed resistance and he was very passionate about the future in the distance,” Linton said of Christopher.
For him, one of the things that defined Christopher was the attorney’s decision as a member of the country’s electoral commission, to “go to court and ask the court for a ruling on his belief that Mr Skerrit (prime minister) was interfering with the work of the independent electoral commission”.
“That matter didn’t succeed at the court of first instance but it told you who Don Christopher was,” Linton told DNO.
So what would the broadcaster describe as Christopher’s legacy, we asked him.
“His legacy is in the persistence of his fight for justice, and not just through the court, but just through his relationship and his working with ordinary people,” Linton said.
“His legacy I think is in his fearlessness,” Linton added.
Christopher was a patient at the princess Margaret hospital where he had undergone surgery last week.
According to reports, after the surgery he was admitted to the ICU over the weekend because of complications.
Christoper is well known on the Dominican legal scene and was recently Tiyani Behanzin’s attorney in a civil matter brought by Behanzin against the government for their refusal to call him to the bar after being promised he would be.
Christopher has also served as an attorney for the United Workers Party, and was also a member of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
A calypso lover, Don Christopher also gave unwavering support to the Pat Aaron led Mas Camp calypso tent.
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32 Comments
Condolences go out to the MOTHER of Don’s children Ann-Marie and Kaye, Mrs. Norma Christopher-Tucker, Don’s first wife, who resides in the UK. Well done Mrs T! God be with you and your family at this time. Your girl’s and grand children will miss him greatly. You always brought them up to love him as their father unlike many parents who do the opposite.
I am so hurt that I just hope the chinese didn’t kill you like they did to our leaders Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles. These guys are known to poison pepole with a hand shake. That is my Opinion, sa ki fache quache.
May his soul R.I.P.
Such an inappropriate picture considering the circumstances. DNO, don’t your editors do any research at all??Why was his family not contacted for an appropriate picture. You ppl just lack every ethic of journalism.
The picture is ok. It meant to show that he was full with life and looking quite alive a couple weeks ago. It places a smile on many of our faces rather than a sad frowned face. Mr. Christopher was a very respectable man – and I’ll miss talking to him and listening to his most sincere advice. R.I.P
A dear lady, now departed, once said to me, “The word of the people is the word of God.” Many have spoken well of him in this column. It is a clear indication of his character and personality trait. God will reward him for his effort. R.I.P.
I saw this man many times in town and often wondered who he was, he never skylarked. When others will be chit chatting he always seemed to be on a mission and have a sense of purpose. I wish someone had told me about him the times I needed a lawyer. I am sorry for his passing and at a time when Dominica is in desperate need of fearless people he will be missed.
Let God be true and every man a Liar.Don your task here is done here in an unscincere world the dishonesty and back biting is over for you. i am broken cause you friendship for me is over here . Before meeting you i had given up on honest lawyers you gave me hope . Gone friend but not forgotten the wisdom you gave will live in me the words of courage will be my inspiration. while you up there could you make intercession for the heartless lawyers.I will miss you much. to families friends and well wishers I say to you Don is gone here but lives up there doing what he does best only now the work ethics is clean
Let God be true and every man a liar. Don you gave me hope in a time when I had none in Layers of the day. Gone but never will be forgotten to your families friends and well wishers i say to God be the glory DON IS GONE HERE but is only adsent in the boby He went to work in a more honest environment.
And Skerrit wondering why people are not willing to get treatment in Dominica? If Skerrit is seriously ill, you will see how fast he will run to Guadelope.
The problem with our men is they are afraid of doctors. When you see a man at the doctor, he is seriously ill. The same like my friends husband. He never went to the doctor until it was too late.MEN WAKE UP.
Don was a man who stood for justice and fair play and that resonated in the stand he took against the PM’s interference at the commission as well representing Tiyani. He also did a lot of pro bono legal work. He will surely be missed.
Rest peace don
Dominica has lost a true son….
May his family find comfort in knowing that Don served well, he fought the good fight and has left qualities worth emulating
DonC will mostly definetly be missed.
I, too, will remember his fearlessness. I am calling for a review of the treatment he received at the PMH.
Do we know what surgery he underwent and what complications arose? These important details are missing in DNO’s report.
@ Just Asking
Actually, it is not important and necessary for us to know. The family and those who are close to him know. This is sufficient.
What is important he passed on suddenly, too soon we will state. He he was a faithful Dominican who worked relentlessly for the betterment of Dominica, its nationals and for the help he gave to them. This is how he will be remembered, for his good works. May his soul rest in peace. Amen!
A normal obituary should include this minimum:
Name of person:
Date of death:
What he/she died of:
Age of person:
Left to mourn:
ADMIN: This is not an obituary.
Condolences to his family. We were co workers at one time
We need the Health minister to investigate why a number of people died after surgery in the ICU . This is a serious matter.
My family died a couple years agao in the ICU , she was ok but being in the ICU died in 24 hrs….
We need answers fromt the authority….. When people in Dominica at the P M hospital died in this beezar Circumstances no one says nothering but this has to chanages and questions has to be asked.
i think the reason most people die in the ICU is because and let me tell you i know ,(1) some of the nurses a so hostile and really demonstrate a doh care attitude. (2)the doctors will just pass and touch you here touch you there and go about their business (3) if you are not their family you certainly in deep trouble.(4) you are left unattended for long periods at a time , and i can go on and on . so what i would suggest is to let a family members sleep or stay in the room with the patients as some hospitals in the us and other countries do. especially in ICU so at least they can also monitor and be of help to the nurses. more money should be spent ensuring that every thing need in the hospital are always available, and just maybe we need to send your health practitioners for more training. But i feel the nurses need to change their attitude toward their work. when you meet a nurse with a good positive ,caring attitude you are lucky.
Working at PMH is no bed of roses. It is overload and difficult to deal with patients that don’t understand anything.
The unfortunate loss of Mr. Christopher leaves another hole. Who will step up to the plate.
this is a total lie i believe you have anorther agenda your not talking about the icu at pmh (boy dominicans if we doh watch our tongues)
god will soon bestow his wrath against us if we dont watch what we say
icu staff are on duty 24hrs and priority is care in icu their are always docotrs on call.
You don’t leave every sick or critical patients alone in a hospital. Someone should stay with them.
rest in peace Mr. christo. u will be missed
WE HAVE INDEED LOST A TRUE PATRIOT…. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE!!
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Don Christopher, He is gone to a better place may he rest in peace.
No condolences to his family at the end of the article???
very good observation indeed!
lovely pic
may his soul rest in peace
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