Former President Dr. Nicholas Liverpool passes on

 Liverpool served as the sixth President of Dominica
Liverpool served as the sixth President of Dominica

The sixth President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool has died.

Liverpool, who has been ailing for some time and who resigned the presidency due to ill health, passed away in Miami today, DNO understands.

He was 81.

He served as President for 2 October 2003 to 17 September 2012.

In a Facebook post, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said he has lost a friend and a mentor.

“Death has robbed us of a most revered ambassador for and of this country,” he said. “Just over six months ago the nation gathered enmasse to salute and celebrate the life and times of Dr. Nicholas Liverpool. We recognized then, as we do now, that this was a Dominican of extraordinary talent and achievement; yet a humble gentleman who had a moment and a listening ear for everyone with whom he came into contact. I wish on behalf of the citizens of Dominica, my family and on my own behalf to extend sympathy to his wife and family.”

All flags in Dominica will be flown as half staff from June 2 to the day after his burial, as a sign of respect for the fallen former President.

A biography published on the website of the President of Dominica says Dr. Liverpool was born in the southern village of Grand Bay, Commonwealth of Dominica on September 9, 1934. He is married and has five children.

Dr. Liverpool began his university Education in 1957 and obtained an LL.B (Hons) from Hull University in 1960. He was attached as a Barrister-at-Law at Inner Temple from 1958 to 1961. He pursued studies at the Sheffield University from 1962 to 1965 and obtained a Ph.D in Law.

In 2003, Dr. Liverpool received the Dominica Award of Honour.

Dr. Liverpool’s entire professional life has been spent in the field of law. He served as senior Lecturer (1974 -1992) and Dean (1976-1978), Faculty of Law at UWI, Cave Hill Barbados.

Dr. Liverpool served as a Judge of the High Court in Antigua and Monsterrat from 1973-1974 and Justice of Appeal – Court of Appeal in Grenada 1979-1991, Court of Appeal in Belize 1990-1992 and 1996-2000, Bahamas Court of Appeal 1996-1997.

Dr. Liverpool served as Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United States of America from 1998 -2001. He has served on several Boards, Tribunals and Commissions has written various articles, publications and papers and has attended numerous conferences/ seminars nationally, regionally and internationally.

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58 Comments

  1. June 4, 2015

    Hello and good evening my people. I want to offer my condolence to the Liverpool family and may he rest in peace.

  2. June 3, 2015

    I only knew about him during his reign as President of the Commonwealth of Dominica . I express my deepest sympathy to his immediate family , relatives , friends and well wishers . May the Good Lord comfort you all at this time of loss .

  3. June 2, 2015

    Didn’t know anything about him until he became president . My deepest condolence to friends , relatives and well wishers of Mr Liverpool . It’s the little things, the small, everyday occurrences that you’ll remember. The laughs, the stories, the smiles. And even though it seems like you can never recover from your loss, it is these very memories that will help push the pain away and bring back the smiles. May the Lord strengthen all of you in this time of mourning .

  4. Carmen Martinez de Grijalva
    June 2, 2015

    It is with great sadness I have learned of the death of His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool.

    He was a great statesman, a great friend. I join in the grief, his distinguished wife and family, the government and people of my beloved Dominica.

    I will always remember Dr. Liverpool for his efforts to help the less underprivileged, his charities, his great knowledge of the Caribbean, his firm intentions by the country’s development, his respect and love for the Dominican people.

    During my long and pleasant stay in Dominica it was a great counselor and always maintained a permanent communication which contributed decisively to strengthen relations between Venezuela and Dominica.

    Rest in peace Dr. Liverpool, we will always remember you fondly.

    Carmen Martinez de Grijalva

    • June 2, 2015

      I join Carmen Martinez de Grijalva in paying tribute to the late Dr. Nicholas Liverpool. Truly one of Dominica’s most distinguished sons haS been called home to rest from his labours.

      I had the good priviledge to meet many of our outstanding citizens, of which Carmen Martinez de Grijalva, former Venezuelan ambassador to Dominica and the late Dr. Nicholas Liverpool whom I interviewed at the start of his term as President while a reporter at the The Chronicle.

      On behalf of myself and my wife, I extend deepest condolences to his wife, Vema and his children, family and the people of Dominica,

  5. June 2, 2015

    Deepest Sympathy to Mrs. Liverpool, Family and Friends of President Liverpool. He has served Dominica well and for that and more most of us are grateful. He will be surely missed by all of us who knew and loved him.

    May you be comforted in knowing his suffering is over and may his Soul and the Souls of All the Faithful Departed through the Mercy of God Rest In Peace. Amen.

  6. June 2, 2015

    Dominica has lost an outstanding and dignified Son of the Soil! My deepest condolences goes out to the family and friends of His Excellency, Dr. Nicholas Liverpool. His loss is a loss not only to Dominica but to the region and the world at large. A true icon, and an infallible Public Servant, may his soul rest in blessed peace.

  7. June 2, 2015

    May his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences goes out
    to the entire family in Dominica,and Barbados.RIP Mr Liverpool

  8. Dominic
    June 2, 2015

    rest in peace mr presdent

  9. Marcus Hill
    June 2, 2015

    they say “Speak no ill of the Dead” so may his Soul Rest in Peace.

    I certainly will not be mourning his death.

    • TELL IT LIKE IT IS
      June 2, 2015

      Nice position Marcus let’s both go riding the bike Mr.Hill left you in Pte Michelle. Lol

  10. Nacinimod
    June 2, 2015

    May your departed soul rest in eternal peace. My condolences to the family.

  11. June 2, 2015

    The man was a great Dominican. I say that at the risk of getting thumbs down from brainwashed UWP supporters who don’t know when to put their politics a side. Condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.

    • well , well
      June 2, 2015

      @point , I am a proud UWP supporter not a brainwashed one , like you Labourites. For your information i was raised in the south, in a all Labour party family , but at the same time i am 45 years old , raised and lived Dominica , went to secondary school in Roseau and i never hear of Mr Liverpool until he because president , I read history books , heard of other former presidents and other prominent Dominicans but never him , for me, he was not dear to my culture and up bringing, So if i don’t feel any heart breaking emotion , what’s wrong with that ? Can’t people express truly how they feel? good or bad about the dead or living ? why are we so hypocrite ? just because the man died, we all have to come and start saying good things about him? yes we all have to go , but please don’t try and force people to feel what they don’t. The way i see it the man was working for his money , he was not Mother Theresa giving himself selflesly to his Country

  12. Ronald Charles
    June 2, 2015

    Outside of his service as President of Dominica, Dr. Liverpool served and represented Dominica with distinction in a manner few of us could ever and will ever be able to do. the nay sayers CANNOT detract from his sterling accomplishments which the world, not tainted by “blue party politics” is very aware of. There is nothing the ‘rabbits” of Dominica can do to take away from his contribution to Dominica’s development.

    To his family I say take courage and strength in the Lord. In time your pain will pass. RIP Dr.Liverpool.

  13. Truth be Told
    June 2, 2015

    What did he do to strengthen and advance Good Governance, Justice, and Rule of Law in Dominica during his Presidency? Did he ever touch the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica as President, to help us build a more democratic and stronger Nation?

  14. June 1, 2015

    To Mrs. Liverpool and the Liverpool family, kindly accept the condolences of the Christian family and those of us in the Washington DC area who worked with then Ambassador Liverpool on several development projects in health care and education. We were also thankful for the encouragement he gave for the revival of the Dominica Cadet Corp. May his soul rest in peace and the bereaved be comforted.

  15. With a tweek LoL
    June 1, 2015

    La Pain! I could not agree with you more. All due respects to the family on their loss. I had dinner with this guy twice due to family connections while visiting DA and saw double standards in this guy. So when Medard says: In a Facebook post, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, said he has lost a friend and a mentor. I can’t help but laugh if you know what aa mean.
    He did not even slap you on ur wrist when U did ur first bobol. talkingabout: “Death has robbed us of a most revered ambassador for and of this country,” he said. “Just over six months ago the nation gathered enmasse to salute and celebrate the life and times of Dr. Nicholas Liverpool. We recognized then, as we do now, that this was a Dominican of extraordinary talent and achievement; yet a humble gentleman who had a moment and a listening ear for everyone with whom he came into contact. I wish on behalf of the citizens of Dominica, my family and on my own behalf to extend sympathy to his wife and family
    Medard this is…

  16. The Real Facts
    June 1, 2015

    So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a perfect gentleman and intellectual who loved and served his country to the best of his ability. He was committed to the people whom he served.
    My heartfelt sympathy to his dear wife, Verna and her family; also Dominicans both near and far who had the privilege of knowing him.
    I will relay the sad news to other members of my family who knew him and who reside elsewhere.
    In talking to one of his relatives, I was informed, he loved nature. One of his main hobbies was gardening.
    He was humble and respectable and did not discriminated against anyone. He was witty with a great sense of humor and interacted well with everyone he knew.
    He was a well-reputed author who addressed legal issues in a manner that everyone could comprehend.
    He loved his family and was an integral part of the church community of Grand Bay. As a Former President he participated in all local events. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

    • The Real Facts
      June 1, 2015

      Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen!

  17. Errol Hyson
    June 1, 2015

    REST IN PEACE, DEAR FRIEND. My sincere condolences to Mera and the Rest of the family.

  18. ms darroux
    June 1, 2015

    my heartfelt condolences to his family.. a well respected Dominican indeed. calm articulate and just sweet. REST IN PEACE great PRESIDENT
    :(

  19. June 1, 2015

    Well I do not know much about Sir Nicolas Liverpool–in that when he was preparing to become a great man, I was too young to know; and while he practiced as a great man I was away from Dominica.

    Nonetheless I sympathize with his family and friends, since I know what it feels like to lose a loved one through death–my mom and dad passed away in the last 2 years, consecutively; my mom went first and my dad followed–same age with Sir Liverpool.

    My hope is that they all have gone to rest in Christ, and in the sweet bye and bye, we will meat on the beautiful shore. Let us receive God’s strength to build abiding faith, then we who are left behind, do not have to ask “where do we go from here’?

  20. Solomon Pascal
    June 1, 2015

    A distinguished Dominican. A man who committed his entire life to building people . He served with dignity. We all will miss his ever willingness to contribute to huminity. His eloquent speeches of course had lasting impact on the citizens. My condolences to his entire family and friends . May his departed soul Rest In Peace.

  21. virginia Damier
    June 1, 2015

    He was a good man RIP Dr Liverpool

  22. Matthew J. Walter
    June 1, 2015

    Dr. Nicholas Liverpool’s contribution nationally , regionally and internationally has been tremendous which consequently created an upsurge in ethics and standards in the legal profession . His humility and concern for the citizenry were not cultivated but were inborn traits which worth emulating by all more specifically those involved in the legal fraternity. His passing undoubtedly will create a major void in our country which I am convinced will be difficult to be filled. He was a true patriot , a comrade, a law abiding citizen, a professional and an image of a loving person. My family extends sincere condolences to his wife.other family members and friends of Dr. Liverpool. May his soul rest in peace.

  23. Francisco Telemaque
    June 1, 2015

    I convey my sincere condolences to the surviving family of the late Joseph Liverpool; I knew him, he was probably one of the most ethical Dominican to have held the position Judge in the courts he served. I first met him while working in the Marketing Department of the West Indies Oil Company.

    When the WIOC decided to install the Bulk plant in Dominica, the company retained his services, to draft all the stipulations between the then government of Dominica, and the WIOC, JoJo Karam was our agent, I would go to Dominica to pick up every document he prepared.

    He and my cousin the late Police Insp. Wordsworth Telemaque were best friend, the last time I encountered him was when Wordsworth was on retirement leave, and was visiting with me in Antigua. Court was in secession, I took Wordsworth to the Court House, by the time we entered, and he saw Wordsworth, he adjourned court, and went out with us. He quit the job in Antigua when Halstead attempt to influence his decision in a…

    • Francisco Telemaque
      June 1, 2015

      He quit the job in Antigua when the late Donald Halstead the then Minister of Home Affairs and Labor attempt to influence his decision in a matter. He could not be bought or corrupted, if is one Dominican I am sure was an honest Liverpool was that Dominican.

      He is one I know will rest in peace. His family can be proud of him, unlike any other Dominican who has traveled his path!

    • Reader
      June 1, 2015

      I convey my sincere condolences to the surviving family of the late Joseph Liverpool; I knew him, he was probably one of the most ethical Dominican to have held the position Judge in the courts he served. I first met him while working in the Marketing Department of the West Indies Oil Company.
      Francisco your comment are clear and the most important is the use of probably a possibility
      How do you explain his silence when ur friend Skerrit did his firest second and third borbol acts?
      Ethical my big toe.

    • June 3, 2015

      To Mr Telemaque.

      Hello and good afternoon my people. Why can’t you just offer your condolence instead of trying to make this about you. Why don’t you go and jump in the River, oh I forget California is running out of water so your rivers are dry. One of our well known and highly educated citizen pass away but you want to make it about you. Have some class for once.

  24. Rabbit
    June 1, 2015

    I hope I will be allowed to post my comment like I was asked to do by DNO. I am not part of that mood,as a matter of fact I resent the idea that it is assumed that I am. The PM is not allowed to wish condolences on my behalf. The death of this man is a deliverance. He sat there,watched & said nothing while my country is being brought down the path of poverty & beggary.

    • Sane
      June 1, 2015

      Rabbit, Can you be any more insensitive, ridiculous, moronic, heartless and downright dirty??
      Are you human?

      • Reader
        June 1, 2015

        The truth Sane is a bitter pill but if you wanna heal just close ur eyes swallow it.
        Insensitive bla bla,bla maybe from ur stand point but it does not change the truth.
        He said nothing oh behalh of the GON situation. Skerrit did not pay the taxes on his first rip-off tried & succeded. The Bib bobal. Skerrit said no law ,no constitution can keep him from running passport /allegence or not. LIVERPOOL said nada niet. You Skerrit Francisco etc etc twet bloody hypos.

      • Observer
        June 2, 2015

        He is a UWP supporter in the ilk of Lennox et all – “no face, bold etc”

    • Francisco Telemaque
      June 1, 2015

      Rabbit, somebody need to informed you that the President of Dominica has no actual political power, the position of President of Dominica is simply a ceremonial position, as found in the Republics of Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago also.

      Even among the independent nations of the Caribbean which remained among the Commonwealth of nations and recognized Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth, has a Governor General representing her.

      Even these Governor General has no power, as Elizabeth of England; who’s official position as Queen is also ceremonious! Skerrit calls the shots, he tells the President what he wish, and in our system it appears the President is obligated to be a puppet to him.

      Any wonder why the late President Liverpool pulled out. Let us take Elude’s actions when he said Dominica need an International Airport, How long did he enjoy the privilege of President after he made that comment?

      Not long; so, now Savarin is the new puppet for life, or for as long as…

    • June 1, 2015

      @Rabbit June 1, 2015 You are right to give yourself that name, but it is still too good for you; it is hard to think that you are animal like a rabbit, much worse to think that you are a human being. Whoever you are do you know, that you are wandering this world with a dead conscience? That is very, very bad for a human being wee!

    • The Real Facts
      June 1, 2015

      If there is one thing I know, if you cannot think of something worthwhile to state about the esteemed Former President, Dr. N. Liverpool, a man of his caliber who contributed what he could to D/ca, femme la bouche! He really did you nothing to warrant your disrespect. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:
      His family and others who knew him better than you are grieving his passing. Please allow them to do so. All have a right to grieve his passing.
      You are a D/can and it cannot be erased. The Dominican PM reserves the right to state, “On behalf of all Dominicans . . .” There is absolutely nothing you can do about it. You make all disciplined and law-abiding D/cans as I angry with your ignorant, inconsiderate and insensitive comment. In fact, get lost! :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:
      What will be said about you when you die? Do not expect much or anything :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:

    • The Real Facts
      June 1, 2015

      Your words are in vain/useless. What have you ever done for Dominica? As a national, you should be aware that you have an obligation to fulfill to your country, to contribute to its enhancement. This is what you should concern yourself about.

    • Truth truth
      June 2, 2015

      I agree with rabbit

    • June 4, 2015

      To Rabbit.

      Hello and good morning my people. No one is asking you to forget but even in death you can’t forgive someone for what you perceived as unjust.
      Why don’t you start a campaign to have term limits on all politicians in Dominica with a maximum of three terms for Prime Minister. We have many educated citizens who could serve.

  25. Sylvester Cadette
    June 1, 2015

    An illustrious Dominican luminary and great statesman. Deepest condolences to his wife and family. May God console in time of grief and bereavement.

  26. Dominican
    June 1, 2015

    Thank you for your tremendous service to the nation. RIP

  27. Change
    June 1, 2015

    The legal fraternity has lost a comrade. Rest In Peace!

  28. Merly
    June 1, 2015

    Sympathy goes out to his family RIP

  29. Eddie Savarin
    June 1, 2015

    Deepest sympathy to his family, a great son of the soil, gone but his memories will leave on.

    • Reader
      June 1, 2015

      did he represent you lately? Eddie ,eddie stay out of that you have enough on ur plate/score card if I were you I would be a hermit.

  30. s.e
    June 1, 2015

    Condolences to Mrs. Liverpool and the rest of the family. He was a president whom served the country of Dominica well. May he rest in eternal peace.

  31. believer
    June 1, 2015

    So sorry to hear of the death of this distinguished Dominican.
    He excelled as an academic, in legal endeavors and a diplomat, but I mostly remember him for his healthy sense of humor…great story teller to boot.
    Condolences to his dear family.
    Will miss you Nick…very much.

  32. Shaka zulu
    June 1, 2015

    My deepest sympathy to family. Great man!!

  33. Cyrique
    June 1, 2015

    This news came as a complete shock although he was ill for some time. I was just speaking to his Niece when she received the call to inform her of the sad news. My condolences to his family. A true servant to the people. A loyal patriot! May he RIP.

    • well , well
      June 2, 2015

      Shock ? the man was 81 , you wanted him to live forever? that’s to teach all you money is not all.The man did not even enjoy his retirement . But then again he was living sweet.

  34. Plato
    June 1, 2015

    The kind of people we want our children to emulate. Rest in peace Mr. President

  35. stebbi
    June 1, 2015

    this is so sad my condolences to the family of the decides

  36. Africo
    June 1, 2015

    A distinguished son of Dominica who was a brilliant academic in the field of law, particularly constitutional law and who served his country well. Condolences to his wife and family.

    • Reader
      June 1, 2015

      Lol Constitutional law? lol! and Medard said no law no constitution ………………………” and he did not take a stand with all his knowledge of constitutional law give me a break.Africo go back to the female version of ur name lol

  37. Diaspora
    June 1, 2015

    with “dignity”

    • Reader
      June 1, 2015

      don’t think so disagree U need a mirror in ur brain to reflect indignity. for serving as president and being mute. moomoo.It’s not only for his collegue Brian.
      One spoke the other didn’t. lol oximrorn kind of situation.

  38. Diaspora
    June 1, 2015

    My heartfelt condolences to his family and the entire nation of Dominica. He served with dignitary and made an invaluable contribution to nation building. God blessed him with long life and he did a wonderful job for our country and the region. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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