The government has announced that the late former senator, Swanston Carbon, will receive an official funeral.
The announcement was made on Thursday almost a week after Carbon passed away at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Reading a statement on the behalf of acting prime minister, Reginal Austrie, MP for Roseau South, Ambrose George said the decision was taken at a meeting of cabinet on Tuesday, September 2.
George said the government is saddened by the death of Carbon, who was 68 at the time of passing.
“The government of the Commonwealth of Dominica is profoundly saddened at the passing of Mr. Swanston Carbon and expresses sincere condolences to his wife and family,” he said.
George said Carbon rose from humble beginnings “to serve Dominica in many capacities.”
“At one time his company, Carbon Refrigeration Services, was Dominica’s foremost refrigeration and air conditioning services provider, a function he performed with excellence and professionalism,” he noted.
He stated that the late senator was a member of the Jaycees and was “always passionate in articulating his point of view.”
“It was however as a parliamentarian that he gained national recognition,” George stated. “He was one of those individuals who was fearless in calling a spade a spade and was always passionate in discharging his functions as a parliamentarian, both as a senator and occassionally as speaker.”
George said the government is in contact with the bereaved wife for finalizing the necessary arrangements for the official funeral.
George described the late senator as “a personal friend” and said he joined with prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit and his family as well as all cabinet ministers and their families “in conveying personal condolences to grieving family.”
The former Dominica Freedom Party senator died on Sunday, August 31 one week after undgoing surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
He served as a government senator in the Dame Eugenia Charles administration during the period of 1980 – 1995.
He also served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1990 to 1995 and was a former Member of the Roseau City Council serving also on a number of Statutory Boards and Advisory Committees.
A date for the funeral has not yet been set.
Help needed! can someone tell me the difference between a state funeral and official funeral? waiting.
can someone tell me what is skeritt home address? it sure is not in dominica.
Dominicans have a problem with everything. What is wrong with the society of today Let the man rest in peace. All this bickering is not going to solve anything.
No if ,buts nor maybes in terms of trials and ex if need be.
As a Senator, I knew he would receive an official funeral. It was just a matter of time that it would have been announced.
My condolences to the family and to all the freedomites. Mr. Swanson was a very good speaker,he new how to bring his message across.
Great guy
Mr. George, there was no need for that because we all know “The government of the Commonwealth of Dominica is profoundly saddened at the passing of Mr. Swanston Carbon, just as they were saddened at the passing of our late PM’s Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles, and were profoundly saddened at the near death attack of Mr. GON Emmanuel on Christmas of 2010. RIP Mr. Carbon
It is a parliamentary responisbility and courtesy as Ministser of Information to address the public. This is in the spirit of
bereavement my dear, listen and learn.
Aye las mona gone, swanson gone, savarin still going.
.
And so are you thank God,
What’s your point? He is still going because God wants him to be still going.
I wish everyone in DA was like this man. It would then be a place of peach and promise. Wicked people predominate in DA these days.
His face depicts one of peacefulness. May his soul rest in peace. Amen!
Why Dominicans?..,.,just why?
After a week? This man and Saverin were like brothers , never heard a word from him , no condolences .I do not think there should be hatred in politics . Any better late than never.
He may have expressed his condolence to his wife and family. Some people prefer keeping it private.
Alas, you ignorant fool
True freedomites like myself I hope you all are seeing how our fellow true freedomites (I NOT referring to the charles savarin version of freedom cause it is a corrupt version), are being treated. Almost a week after one of our soldiers passed, after lots of pressure and maypwee , they decide to give him an official funeral. Compare that to the death of pastor Bill Daniel who never held the position of civil servant let alone senator; yet, less than 5 hours after his death Skerrit himself announced state funeral for him. True freedomites, we need to use this two ask ourselves some serious questions as it pertains to the next election and our chance of building back our party that was killed and buried by Skerrit and Charles Savarine.
I meant to say Charles Savrin and Skerrit are doing everything to kill, bury, and remove the name of our “Freedom Party” from our politics but they SHALL NOT SUCCEED!
My God Leave the politics out and just send out condolences. Corinthia accept Amy sympathy and hold on to the Good Lord for strenght. Only in him you will find true comfort.
I think your statement is unfounded. It is automatic for someone who served in government to get an official funeral and so the timing of the announcement is not an indication that it was not being considered. Of course I stand corrected on that as I am not speaking for any official. It is however not automatic as in the case of Mr Daniel hence the reason why the reasons were given and I also think that these decisions have to be formalized in cabinet.
Depend on people as you to make such an unfounded statement.
Mr. Ambrose, to come here and tell us that “The government of the Commonwealth of Dominica is profoundly saddened at the passing of Mr. Swanston Carbon” is nothing short of a BIG joke. It is so big that Skerrit himself could not even have the nerves to make the announcement as seen the day Bishop Bill Daniel passed. Anyways, no one believes them even if they make 12 Hail Mary’s.
DNO, Why do you promote communism? Why cut from what I posted and put what you want? After all, is it not a fact that the minister forgot the address of bank? So if I said I know the minister has a problem remembering certain banks then what have I said that is wrong? The same freedom of expression you are encouraging will come back and bite us one day.
Another one dead at PMH. iTS EITHER YOU COME OUT MORE SICK OR DONT COME OUT AT ALL
You got that right.
♪Its time for Change♪
Better late than never, his family welcomed it….so stop preaching politics and let the family lay their love one to rest in peace without the politics. Please
de man was a politician for his entire life and you have the nerve top tell people stop talking politics. How hypocrite you are.
It depends what you state. Under this circumstance, keep it compassionate, to the point.
Condolences to the family and friends of a great icon.
His body is gone but his dream for DA will live on.
This will be manifested in the campaign.
But,my God, cabinet had to meet,the family had to be consulted before a state funeral can be announced. The pastor situation was different, he was ill for some time and was not getting better so his service was planned.
Not a ‘state’ but official funeral. There’s a difference.
Did cabinet meet for bill daniel or did the high and mighty skerrit make the decision alone?
To those that it may concern,”The fact remains,it was done!’
So go ahead pushing you all political comments.
@ Fast & Furious..””The fact remains,it was done!’’ NEGRO please!!!
This isn’t a favour to the man and his family so pump your flipping haughty brakes, it’s twisted wicked people like you who encourage rubbish in Dominica. Skerrit was quick to jump hours after the Bishops passing and run to cabinet and declare he will receive official funeral, how he spoke to his wife and extended condolences on radio, yet he remained conveniently silent on the passing of a Mr Carbon. A Former Parliamentarian, Former SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE and community member who fought for the advancement of politics and development in Dominica while he was still in cotton diapers in Veille Case and you coming with you F### B.S? Skerrit’s disdain for Carbon is so far reaching he couldn’t even bring himself to addressing the nation on the passing of the man? but left the state and allows Ambrose to deal with it, and you expect people who can see the glaring arrogance and disrespect to accept it? Carbon is no beggar!!! He EARNED that official STATE FUNERAL!!
Skerrit is the one creating controversy in DOMINICA. Until now I held a candle out for him, but this has broken every civil and humane rule. CHANGE IS A MUST. Roosevelt Skerrit want to decide who gets official, who gets state, who he will acknowledge and who he will feed to his minions because he has found himself bursting at the seams and Dominicans are accepting that as well at least? GTFOHWTBS
@ Tri-State Beauty:You could not have said it any better. Hats Off!!!!!!!
@ Tri State, you UWP people think people cant go back and check am sure theirs not one post you gave the PM any candles a matter of fact you blew them out every time you comment on here. Dominicans to like to jump when they don’t know what’s taking place in the back ground, what if they said they going to give him a state funeral and the family don’t want one how would that look? you know what the same usual suspects on here would say oh look the family don’t want nothing form him cause they think he’s corrupt, as far as I know the PM could not deny him a state funeral if he wanted to cause he was a member of the house, I stand to be corrected, we need to stop this we are one people at least should be for the betterment of the country.
En bien mi daybar..monde UWP TOUJOU awaje’
Skeritt is so disrespectful, he has also planned to leave the country again during this man funeral, just so that he will not attend in person.
Some of you are something else. You place the blame on one person? Why not on yourself and those as you?
I couldn’t say it better. The minister pulled the wool over their eyes and they believe the “profund” whatever. If I was mrs. C, I would show them and say “thanks but no thanks”. Even if I have to borrow to bury my husband.
Allah! Dominica sad that we are ruled by men with no principles.
He was a decent man, who loved his country with a passion and this is the decent thing to do. Never mind the delay,we should welcome it.
After a whole week (boy what a piece of country). In the case of the pastor it was done on the very morning or there about. There is a saying better late than never.
well our pm was nt home is now he cum ..so we announce it…ho about that
You read that the other one was sick for a long time and plans were being made them.
This Senator had an operation a week ago prior to his passing. Why do you not read the article and comments better than you do? Or did you read them?