Victor Riviere who was Dominica’s Minister of Finance from March 1975 to June 1979 has died in St. Lucia.
He was elected to the House of Assembly as representative for the Mahaut Constituency in the Dominica Labour Party landslide victory led by Patrick John.
He carried the title of ‘Captain’ due to his military service in the UK prior to returning to Dominica. He served as Minister of Finance and spearheaded the establishment of the National Bank of Dominica in 1978.
In the political hiatus which followed the 29 May 1979 political upheaval, he stood by Patrick John and did not resign his position.
He remained with John as a member of the opposition until parliament was dissolved in June 1980 to prepare for elections.
He did not regain his seat.
He went into retirement from politics, continuing his profession as accountant and private investigator.
All photos compliments Dr. Lennox Honychurch Collection.
R.I.P COUSIN VIC.YOU WILL BE REMEMDERED.
I could not help but smile when I heard the news. Farewell, Captain…!
That second photo is a real treat: good to see Uncle Arlington again
My sincere sympathy to all members of his family especially Janine and Sonia, his sisters. Hope you are doing well.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen!
Janine and Sonia are not his sisters nor are they related to him. These are two different Rivieres.
RIp comrade.
May his soul rest in peace ?
I would love to know if I was related to Mr Victir Riviere? As I am also a Riviere from St.Lucia.
Hi Lena. I am his daughter from Saint Lucia. He was not related to the Rivieres from Saint Lucia
Rest in eternal peace Captain. You came, you served, you were victimized yet you kept your head up high. May the now National Bank remain a beacon of your legacy in our blessed land. To the family I say be strong and take courage in knowing that he is with his maker after dutifully serving humanity.
Rest In Perfect Peace Captain…..my eternal salute to you!
Always Assertive!
R.I.P Captain. OH How we miss you all now.
Fly high my friend. You will be missed!
We will see you on the other side and sit on your porch at the office and home and have a chat, watch and chat with the people walking by. I will miss our drives through the countryside and meeting many new friends. Rick and the crew at Dolphins Plus in Key Largo!
Captain Vic will go down in history as one of the best finance minister that Dominica ever had! He was visionary and laid the ground work for a strong and better Dominica. I am surprised the National Bank has not been named after him, especially after almost 20 years of a labor government in office. Captain Vic never saw the sale of our passport as the ONLY means for foreign revenue as the current finance minister. It is very sad that the man who laid the foundation for a better Dominica lived to see Dominica at it’s worse, in every sense of the word, especially when he remembers how Patrick John and the DLP was removed from office for corruption, and to see how real corruption under the Skerrit administration is striving in broad day light. Like Patrick John, I know it’s been very rough for Vic to behold what has become of the Dominica they gave birth to 38 years ago, but the eyes have it. RIP captain VIC
Captain Vic you served Dominica well you help us get Independence rest in peace my friend….
Of course he way a captain of a rebel group that comptrolled the people of the era and created chaios in the country we quick to blame skerritt for everything but these guys had to resources and opportunity to put us in a better place than we have been and instead they put tears in the eyes of poor mothers by killing their kids with their rebel police and defense force so his legacy lies in our history Cowboy mahaut is an I forgotten slogan let’s hope he made peace with his god cause he sure help bring agony to the heart of a lot of mothers of our day at the time
How well I remember Mr. Fundamental. Rest in peace sir, and it fundamentally clear that you will rise in glory. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends
Rest in Peace Comrade.
You were a great father-in-law! Your uplifting spirit will always be missed.
He defeated my brother in the 1975 general election, although by a small margin. I always referred to him as Mr. fundamental.because when ever he gives his long speeches in the house of assembly you would hear the captain say
“Mr. speaker, let me make it fundamentally clear.”
May you Rest In Peace Dad! No more suffering, no more pain. I will love you forever.
Much appreciation for all the condolences expressed.❤
The second picture depicts ruling party (Labour) and opposition party (Freedom) in perfect harmony, as they join forces to negotiate what’s best for the nation, so this sort of behaviour was once in our culture: “Part of the Dominica delegation that negotiated ‘with the British Government for independence in London in May 1977.”
What has happened today then, since that time: a “ONE MAN” dictatorship has shifted the pendulum 360 degree from good to bad. This phenomenon then can never happen now, under his stewardship.
The passing of Vic Riviere, in his prime known as ‘Captain’ the Right. Hon. Victor A.J Riviere, is an opportunity for Dominicans to reflect on his contribution to Dominica.
When he was appointed Minister for Finance, following the landslide victory of the electrifying D.L.P team in the March 1975 general elections, Dominica was still reeling from the 1973/74 oil shock which saw the depreciation of the pound sterling and the subsequent negative impact on banana prices. Around 1976, Vic tried unsuccessfully to get the British Government to assist the Government of Dominica to pay salaries to public officers.
Every year from 1976 to 1979, he had to contend with the incessant pay demands of the mighty Civil Service Association led by Charles Savarin. In 1977, the country was shut down for 47 days by Charles Savarin and it was Vic who had to clear up the mess when the strike ended. He came up with the novel idea at the time of paying the civil servants not by cash which the government…
I would like to make fundamentally clear that I sincerely hope God strengthens his family in this hour and may he rest in peace.
RIP TRUE MAN OF THE PEOPLE,,, mahaut will miss you ,,!!SKIROO sold our country
Rest in peace Uncle Vic. You will be missed.
Had a 15 minutes chart with him at his home; I can tell you; He was a real no nonsense business man, often with his briefcase. Fun memories.
Vic was a classy guy with his pipe between his teeth. I had one transaction with him which went quite smoothly. He was our guy – Very warm and down to earth man. My condolences to his friends and family.
R.I.P Comrad,
Rest in peace Captain
RIP uncle Vic.
RIP, my friend
My condolences to Captain Vic’s family.
All that time the Iron Lady was monitoring the moves…. … lets celebrate Vick’s life u hear…. no sadness the man was a fighter a champion…. long live Vick…… …..
To my auntie and Vick’s family. Rest assure he is in a better place, no more suffering. Stay strong and focus on the happy memories he left behind
Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Victor Riviere.
Eternal corporate relaxation now for comrade Vic.
“I, Captain the Honorable Victor Avondale Joseph Riviere…”
Rest in peace
waw..Great stuff..R.I.P Vic
My condolences to the family of Vic Riviere.. and much thanks to Lennox Honychurch for the photos covering a chaotic period of major historical trends in Dominica..
Speed on my longtime friend. Much solace to your family and loved ones.
Rest in eternal peace. The good Lord has called you home, it is a road we all have to go farewell.
Vic Mr fundamental Reverie,was a good man.Thanks to his efforts we have the NCB bank.May he rest in peace
R.I.P. Captain Vic, we remember you for your Flamboyancy and style. Maybe is a Mahaut thing? Thanks Lenox Collections, least we forget those who made their contribution in shaping Our lovely Country. Know your History, cause we almost never hear of those foot Solidiers like Vic,. A country that does not harness its History is like a Basket used to collect Water. Condolences to his family, Friends, and fans. Maybe a Furneral be fiting our beloved Brother will be the good and proper thing to Do,/ opinion Expressed.