Former government minister, Luke Corriette, to be given official funeral

The Government of Dominica has afforded the late Luke Taylor Corriette an official funeral on Friday, August 9, 2019. The Government has declared Friday, August 9, 2019 an official day of mourning as a mark of respect for the former Government Minister.

The Dominican Flag shall be flown at half-staff on all public buildings in the State on the day of mourning (Friday, August 9, 2019).

Corriette died on July 26, 2019.

Born December 16, 1943, Luke Taylor Corriette entered politics in 1974, joining the Dominica Labour Party when Patrick John took over from Edward Le Blanc as Premier. The following year he contested the 1975 general elections and won the Petite Savanne seat in the House of Assembly. He was made Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs, Social Security and Youth Affairs, Isiah Thomas, and was made minister on the death of Isiah Thomas two years later.

In the upheaval that followed the protest demonstrations and constitutional crisis of May 29, 1979, Corriette sided with Oliver Seraphine in the so-called ‘Interim Government’ and became Minister of Communication, Works and Tourism.

Mr. Corriette held a diploma (1972) in life underwriting in insurance. He served as sales manager for the state-owned Dominica Broadcasting Corporation in 1974 and held many executive posts in youth groups throughout the island. Following his one-year stint as minister in Seraphine’s Democratic Labour Party government, he contested the Petite Savanne seat in the 1980 general elections but lost out to Dominica Freedom Party candidate R.S. Fadelle. He then returned to insurance work.

He was the father of twelve (12) children Jessica, Patsy, Sharon, Rebecca, Lucia, Irene, Elsa, Nina, Kent, Donald, Robert and Steven.

His Excellency the President Charles Savarin and Mrs. Savarin, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Alix Boyd-Knights, other Members of Parliament, Government Officials and Members of the Diplomatic Corps are expected to attend the Official Funeral for Mr. Luke Taylor Corriette.

The funeral will be held at the Roseau Cathedral Chapel on Friday, August 9, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. Viewing of the body will take place from 2:00 p.m. The late Luke Taylor Corriette will be laid to rest at the Roseau Roman Catholic Cemetery.