UPDATE WITH PHOTOS: John Fabien laid to rest

The coffin being led to its final resting place

Former minister of health John Fabien received on Saturday what’s been described as a very respectful send off for someone who gave his entire working life to the advancement and development of Dominica.

John, who was also a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, a  former parliamentary representative for the Grand Bay constituency and an Environmental Health Specialist, succumbed to his illness at the Princess Margaret Hospital on June 22, 2012.

Hundreds of Dominicans joined his widow Ellen and children Erskine, Trevor, Marvin, Donavan and Sidikatu in paying their last respects at the official funeral service held at the Grand Bay Catholic Church.

Fabien’s close friend Monsignor Eustace Thomas delivered the homily at the funeral service, reflecting on the life of  a man he explained he had “grown to love and respect so much”.

“We became friends, I was at one time his parish priest but our relationship went beyond pastoral activities”.

Monsignor Thomas recalled some of the good times he shared with his friend.

“John and I developed a special bond, real, genuine friendship, and real love. We both enjoyed dumplings and red beans”.

Monsignor Eustace Thomas described the late John Fabien as a man who had a love for God, family and country, a man who touched the lives of hundreds of men women and children.

“Apart from his professional career he was a real community man who cared about his community and people. John impacted because he loved and because he was a committed person, ” the cleric said while encouraging others to emulate the life and principles of John Fabien.

“Live my dear friends as a family, John lived a good life, he fell short like all of us but everyone can say that John tried his best to have a good family life. How many of you in Government are praying like John? How many of you like John go to church often? Emulate him”.

He urged the ministers of government attending the funeral service to take a leaf from the page of John Fabien.

“Don’t just talk about the next level, act the next level, be people of prayer and trust totally in the Lord. Let us emulate the wisdom of John who knew he was about to leave this world but prepared himself spiritually”.

Monsignor Thomas used the occasion to deliver a special message from the late John Fabien to the youth to stay away from drugs.

“Young people John wants you to brace up yourselves, give up and destroy dangerous weapons, avoid bad companions, say no to drugs.  Don’t destroy the nation for selfish motives, that’s what John wants”.

At the funeral service a special tribute in song (Wind Beneath My Wings) for the former minister and MP was presented by family members.

Following the funeral service John Fabien was laid to rest at the Grand Bay Catholic Cemetery next to his friend Pierre Charles.

Interior of the church during the funeral ceremony
Mourners at the funeral

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22 Comments

  1. John Francis
    September 26, 2013

    Shared a house with John in Liverpool. He was so homesick while there. He was a great guy.
    Really sorry to hear of his passing. My sincerest condolences. Used to always say ‘ what a life’..

  2. Anonymous
    July 12, 2012

    yes the mourners are family members wife and kids. I miss him so much already, but life must go on he would want us to be happy, eating dumplings everyday, I’m glad I made it to the funeral. RIP.

  3. The pic...
    July 10, 2012

    The Pic that is captioned ‘Mourners at the funeral’ can perhaps be a bit more specifically captioned. The persons captured in the photo are actually members of his immediate family.

  4. July 10, 2012

    R.I.P JOHN FABIEN you will be surely missed ,saying hi to teacher Ellen hold strong and again he was a good \\\ wake up grandbay people we are loosing our good people

  5. LIMINGLUCY
    July 10, 2012

    ONE MUST NEVER WAIT TO RETIRE TO LIVE…REST IN PEACE SIR….

  6. Wespay
    July 10, 2012

    RIP. I will surely miss you. Condolences to your family. I am so upset about his death. Now he should be enjoying his retirement. Life is just too short. :(

  7. observant
    July 10, 2012

    A very good man indeed!

  8. life
    July 10, 2012

    May his soul rest in peace…i will take your words that u gave to me ..my daughter keep your head up and always strive for the best i will keep this in mind Mr John Fabien… langloo if u don’t have nothing better to say best u don’t comment….everybody have to die when god ready…

  9. July 9, 2012

    About a year ago,I was able to have a dialogue with John Fabien while he was in the States undergoing treatment for his medical condition. He showed me how he cared for his people.He was a most humble gentleman ,which reflected in his manner of his speech.He real touched my heart during a hour of listening to him on the telephone.John Fabien RIP.You will be surely be missed by all whose lives you touch,during your tenure on earth.

  10. concerned
    July 9, 2012

    may mr Fabien soul rest in peace. He was a good and loving man. I remembered when my mum was ill and needed medical attention in martinique, he was the only minister who came to her assistance.

  11. Mr. Real
    July 9, 2012

    Hon. John Fabien was truely a good citizen, a patriot and one who really cared for Dominicans and the Development of Dominica. He ideas were always geared at the development of people and country. THAT IS WHAT EVERY DOMINICAN, the politician in particular, should aspire to be. We will meet one day………LOVE FOR ALL………….

  12. M. Royer Belle
    July 9, 2012

    RIP. Mr. John Fabien. My condolences to your family, and friends. The last time we met was in Vieille Case at the 2004 reunion. Farewell my friend!

  13. Original Eagle-Eye
    July 9, 2012

    @ Langloo utter ignorance!! Death is for everyone that is uncalled for

    • Allan
      July 9, 2012

      dam fool!

  14. langloo
    July 9, 2012

    yes, i know some of allu ministers was there tinking allu going live foreva.. let that be a lesson.

    • Erslyn Fabien
      July 9, 2012

      :-x Excuse me langloo that is very rude of u…..my dad did alot for this country …and even on his dying bed he wa still giving his ideas and advice trying to make a difference…my daddy is a hero and as amatter of fact you alll need to watch what they hell you all say on here…stupes what lesson is that…you need to learn a lesson from my dad and how he devoted his life to the people and helped them aand never wanted anything back in return…smgdh!!!!! i caannot believe sumbody wuld post that …mehn…

      • Allan
        July 9, 2012

        true say, but you don’t have to answer to these fool’s!

    • July 9, 2012

      Well said original eagle-eye. Maybe he painted his door post with lambs blood so death will pass over :mrgreen:

    • Help Yourself
      July 9, 2012

      @langloo I hope u know u not going to live forever either, so u might as well zip it :-|

    • dirty harry
      July 9, 2012

      think before u type craddle to the grave we all got to go one day cuz i lost both parrents and they was not even 50 so watch ur back. and remember the good die young so is we dat still on earth are the bad one

    • Anonymous
      July 10, 2012

      why are you so stupid, your comment should not even be posted on there.

    • July 10, 2012

      GOOD JOB DNO BLOCK THOSE STUPID COMMENTS

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