Vic Riviere to get Official Funeral; day of mourning declared

Victor Riviere in 1975 when he was elected as the representative for the Mahaut Constituency for the Dominica Labour Party. Photo:  Dr. Lennox Honychurch Collection
Victor Riviere in 1975 when he was elected as the representative for the Mahaut Constituency for the Dominica Labour Party. Photo: Dr. Lennox Honychurch Collection

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has decided to afford an Official Funeral to the late Captain Victor Avondale Joseph Riviere, former Minister for Finance and Consumer Protection from March 1975 to June 1979.

Riviere was also the Parliamentary Representative for the Mahaut Constituency for one term after winning that seat for the Dominica Labour Party in the March 24, 1975 general elections.

As a consequence, the Government has declared a day of mourning as a mark of respect for the late Captain Victor Avondale Joseph Riviere.

In keeping with protocol to mark the period of mourning, all flags of the Commonwealth of Dominica will be flown at half-staff on all public buildings on Wednesday, December 07, 2016.

Official Mourners include the President of Dominica His Excellency Charles Savarin, Prime Minister of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Alix Boyd-Knights and Ministers of Government.

The funeral will be held at Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral Chapel on Wednesday, December 07, 2016 from 3:00pm. Viewing of the body will take place from 2:00pm to 2:55pm. Burial will follow at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Roseau.

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28 Comments

  1. RIP Lt. Col. Riviere, MC
    December 15, 2016

    Lt. Col. Riviere was a soft-spoken but great leader.

    He did a lot to help Dominica though its difficult transition to dictatorship under Dr. Skerrit and must be cherished by us in the DLP for this.

  2. Ks
    December 8, 2016

    Vic Riviere carried the title captain due to his military service in the UK before returning to Dominica.some of u just comment just for the sake of commenting. Think u all should do a little research be for commenting.

    • Tjebe fort
      December 8, 2016

      Carcon, this is not true. Vic himself once said to me that he was in the U.K. Royal air force as a corporal, working as a pay clerk. Nothing wrong with that. Perhaps he was joking but I do not think so. If you know better tell us what regiment or squadron, or whatever he served in when and where and if I’m wrong I will apologise.

    • Brigadier Tomlinson McCarr (military historian)
      December 9, 2016

      May I correct you Sir?

      It is clearly stated in the military records of the John Administration that Vic Riviere was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by the said Col. Dr. Patrick John shortly before Col. John was removed from office.

      I ask all Dominicans to pay due respect to Lt.Col. Riviere by using his correct title.

    • In Memory of Lieutenant Col. Vic Riviere
      December 10, 2016

      Vic was in fact promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by Col Patrick John who was head of Dominica Defence Force at the time and our country’s leader. This took place shortly after Dr. John was removed from office and the promotion was made due to Vic’s outstanding contribution to the well-being of our island.

  3. The Truth Be Told
    December 7, 2016

    Today, during a conversation of Dominica News, as read on DNO, I informed someone of his passing.
    Since I heard nothing more, I wondered if he would be buried in St. Lucia.
    Son of the soil, faithful to Dominica of all, rest in peace.
    God bless your soul.

  4. Richard Xavier
    December 7, 2016

    Dominican. I might be mistaken, but Vic was in the R.A.F and that where he might have obtain the rank of captain.

    • Brigadier Tomlinson McCarr (military historian)
      December 9, 2016

      There is no such rank of Captain in the Royal Air Force. Its RAF equivalent is Flight Lieutenant.

  5. freegid tree
    December 7, 2016

    Dominicans fight and fuss over every little thing! aren’t we one people any more? No wonder we are so buffeted.

  6. DONT CARE
    December 7, 2016

    GIVE GENE PESTAINA HIS MONEY THAT’S DEW HIM .

    • December 7, 2016

      *due

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 7, 2016

      You know the reason for this article. Your comment is inappropriate at this time.
      Let Victor be laid to rest peacefully. He deserves it for all what he did for Dominica.

    • In Memory of Lieutenant Col. Vic Riviere
      December 10, 2016

      ‘due’ – just a correction!

  7. Lenovo
    December 7, 2016

    Oh so Government can find the money to give Vic Riviere an official funeral but they cannot give Gene Pestaina his hard-earned money??

    Is dert!

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 7, 2016

      Read well and between the lines. Be smart.
      How much does it cost to give an official funeral?
      Victor has family to bear whatever the cost.

    • Tricia
      December 8, 2016

      Lenovo, from what I can see your comment did not obtain much credit. Not sure how old you are but if you are not old enough to know what Vic Riviere has to while in Government I suggest you take some time to read some history instead of talking on behalf of Gene Pestaina in which are have not gotten any more popular. Put that in YOUR PIPE and smoke it :-|

  8. EnfantDiable
    December 7, 2016

    Dominican,The current protocol appears to direct that EVERY past or serving member of the House of Assembly, including,for example, the late Victor Riviere and Alicks Boyd ,IS entitled to receive an Official Funeral paid for by the Government of Dominica!!!!!.So John Trablatie, Madam Belefant/ Nabes and I-all will get such a sendoff at the taxpayers expense.

  9. Dominican
    December 7, 2016

    I really wish they would not do this as it opens old wounds. During the troubles in 1979 Vic Rivierre stood by Patrick John and refused to resign . As a a captain in Patrick John’s Dominica Defence Force he must bear responsibility for unarmed citizens being shot at by his soldiers with tragic results. I’m sure I’m not the only Dominican , who feels offended by the honour being bestowed upon him by our government now. It would be better to bury him quietly and without fuss.

    • December 7, 2016

      Vic was a true captain to his men…he had their back all the way…that’s what leadership should be.

      • Dominican
        December 7, 2016

        That may be so but would not make right any wrongs. He served someone, who was convicted for treason and his superior Major Newton was hanged at Stock Farm for plotting a coup against the government. Mr. Rivierre may have been an amiable man and I don’t want to speak bad of the dead but these are the facts as I know them.

    • sovietico
      December 7, 2016

      he was a captain in the Dominica Defence Force?hmm thats a first one.

    • ???????????
      December 7, 2016

      Really.. Dominican!. it is high time to leave the past behind and move forward. The man was a past Minister even Finance at that but he has to be given the official funeral. Everything is politics and display of unforgiveness in the hearts of men. Can you all draw the line? People with your mentality do not grow, move forward and carry a lot of hurts and unforgiveness. Vic Riviere had his flaws like all of us but being a previous Minister he gets what is due to him. It does not matter who supported him, liked him or what. I am sure if that was not done, you would find some thing else to complain about. To much complaining and politics.

    • sunday islander
      December 7, 2016

      Vic was not a member of the Defence Force, he just called himself ‘Captain’.

      • Tjebe fort
        December 7, 2016

        This DNO item is a Gov. press release garcon that call him Captain and. I know he was not the captain of a ship. Hew as a military captain and had a uniform to go with it just like P.J. had an official Colonel’s uniform and the only military Dominica had at that time was the DDF. They can do what they want of course because the man is dead and can not say anything again but too much pappy show for my taste in this place.

      • winston warrington
        December 7, 2016

        Vic was Captain in the Royal Air Force.

      • December 7, 2016

        he was a captain in the army he serve over seas thank you is time we grow up he is the one that
        set up the national bank at lease he did something that have a land mark on D/A.

    • Rosie
      December 7, 2016

      You do not even know what you are saying. In which Defense Force was Vic a Captain. You sound like those hateful Freedomites that turn Red.
      Vic deserves an official funeral just a pity Charles Savarin has to attend…… Imagine!

    • The Truth Be Told
      December 7, 2016

      Look at it this way. He was a faithful person. You must not challenge his faithfulness.
      He went to England, resided there and returned to Dominica.
      I do feel that Victor’s heart was in Dominica which is why he returned there. Otherwise he would have remained in the UK as many D/cans do, to this day. Many will die there. Some have already died there..
      He loved Dominica which is why he returned.
      Whoever you are, you have your political views. Therefore, do not begrudge him this privilege.
      Do something good for Dominica that one day you will probably receive this privilege.

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