Agriculturist and hotelier Charles Alexander Winston is dead.
Winston died peacefully on Monday 7th May, 2012 at approximately 8:30 a.m.
He was born in Roseau on 25th November 1917.
Winston first gained employment with the Department of Agriculture as an extension officer during which time he attended the University of the West Indies in Trinidad where he pursued studies in Animal Husbandry. He continued working in this field, and later joined the firm of Foley & Ban as manager of Woodford Hill Estate. The firm of Foley & Ban was subsequently sold to Geest Industries & Co. Ltd. when he then became General Manager of the Woodford Hill, Picard and Brantridge Estates for 17 years.
Winston was instrumental in the introduction of certain agri technology such as irrigation, field terracing and banana sleeving. Recognized for his distinguished service to the agricultural sector, mainly the banana industry, in March of 1963, he was the honours recipient of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
After 17 years of service, he resigned from his services with Geest Industries to live on his estate [New Florida] with his wife and children where he experimented with various crops and livestock. One of his many achievements was Dominica’s first crop of Irish potatoes in the early ’70’s, supplying the supermarkets, hotels and homes.
He possessed a strong passion for all animals, in particular horses, and nurtured these beautiful and elegant creatures throughout his life.
Earthmoving and excavation works were among his other successful ventures and his work can be seen island wide which would include the east and west coast roads and also feeder roads. Later, he decided to embark, with his wife and children, on a very different occupation and so, the Evergreen Hotel was established in 1986 at Castle Comfort, a three time award winning establishment. He retired as an hotelier in 2005 at the age of 88.
Winston was an honourable gentleman. He was unassuming, kind and generous. Thought of as an interesting individual, he was willing to share his knowledge with anybody who asked, whether young or old. As a manager, he was highly respected and admired by all, epitomized by his employees and others. He loved his family and friends and kept them close to his heart.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years of marriage, Hermena (Mena) Winston ne Toulonand, his five children, grand and great grand children, one sister and many other relatives.
Is he the Charlie who once lived at the Heights of Bellevue Chopin back in the sixties? Yeah, he was the only one back then who had electricity at home in Bellevue Chopin, working those roaring Dynamoes every night. Drove a car back in those days that had the design of an aeroplane, driving his daughters to the Convent every morning. RIP Charlie.
Very fond memories and constructive lessons Uncle Charlie.
You also grew peaches at new Florida.
Along with my father were one of the few farmers who understood the inportance of and practiced soil and water conservation in Agriculture by contour terracing your land.
Indeed animal husbandry was your true love…you taught me the true meaning of a gentle hand in horsemanship…
Rest in God’s eternal Peace.
Rest in Peace uncle Charlie…what wonderful days and nights we spent at New Florida Estate…God bless ur Soul and God bless ur family…Sympathy to Anty Mena and family..love u all..
Mr. Charlie as he was affectionately known was a very hard worker with an infectious sense of humor. May the Lord comfort the family and may he rest in peace.
Requiescat in pace
Yes, I’ve heard good things about this honourable man. 61 years of marriage is remarkable. I’ve known his sons, Carl and Dave and his daughter Cherry, from our days attending the Dominica Grammar School in the 70’s.
Yes, he will be missed by the villagers of Bellevue Chopin where his estate was located. The unique cars, caterpillars and horses were familiar to all in this cool mountain top village blessed with vegetables, flowers and an abundance of citrus fruits. The name, New Florida, is news to me; but you are never too old to learn. Very comprehensive article except for the non-mention of Bellevue Chopin where his kids were raised.
This year seems to be a year of Charles…
Charles Pharmacy… dead
Charles Maynard… dead
Charles Winston… dead
All Charleses take note. Live right, do right.
What a great man!!! You deserve the highest honour that our beautiful nation can afford as you have worked tirelessly to make it what it is today. you made my dad (Martin Calme) into one of Dominica’s finest heavy equipment operator and you guys bull dozzed roads all over the island, with your sons Carl and Dave. I have fund chilhood memories of you and the love and compassion you gave to my family and people in general. It is sad to know that you have left us now but God have called you to rest peacefully in his arms. condolences to your entire family as I know they are hurting right now but we pray that they will be comforted by your legacy. A big loss for Dominica. RIP Mr. Winston
My deepest sympathy to his wife and family. God is with you, holding you in the palm of his hand and consoling you.
Residing overseas, I have not seen him for years but I know him and his wife and some members of his family.
Some years ago when I visited my family and I had lunch at the Evergreen Hotel. What a delicious lunch it was. His wife was prominent in serving us. It was an enjoyable afternoon.
Lord, we ask you to always be with her as she goes through her grieving process and in future years. She will miss her beloved husband, her partner and company of 61 years, a marriage which you blest from on high. We pray that all will be well with her.
And now, Lord, we ask you, Eternal rest grant unto Charlie Winston, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace. Amen!
He was indeed an honorable gentleman who made a great contribution to Dominica. I have very fond memories of him and his family, during summer vacations at New Florida estate. Rest in Peace, Uncle Charlie. You were the best godfather one could ever wish for. I Love You.
Charlie Winston, I can say may his soul and sprit rest in peace!
I remember him very well, when he managed the Woodford Hill Estate which was owned by Guess Industries, formerly owned by Folly & Barns, who first introduced the Banana Industry to Dominica.
Charlie, as we called him on the North was highly respect, I cannot remember anyone crossing path with him who ever had anything negative to say about him.
And since I the kid has nothing negative to say about him, one can be sure that though he may not be an impeccable individual, there is very little to complain about him.
I remember his late brother also, the one we called Bossy; one night when a Volkswagen I drove up North selling clothing for J Astaphan & Co., broke down at Palm Tree, Bossy drove me to home to Wesley, and the next day he repaired the van, he was kind and that’s how I remember them!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Mr. Charlie,rest in perfect peace;deepest sympathy to you Carl, sis.Irms and the rest of your family.
RIP. Mr. Winston!! And my sincere condolences to his family and friends. I did enjoy his Irish potatoes growing up in Dominica. The best potatoes so silky and fine. Thank you.
r i p mr. winston and much love to your surviving family.you were a good man.
RIP Uncle Charlie, I remember many weekends as a child up in New Florida riding horses and swinging close to the house. Fun times.
RIP IN MR WINSTON UR LEGACY MUST LIVE ON…..
u know what DNO EMPLOYEES, I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING RUDE OR OF THAT CONTENT,IT LOOKS AS THOUGH WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK OUT IF IT DOES NOT PLEASE YOU ALL ITS NOT PUBLISHED.
THERE WERE NO THREATS OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT,AND I HAVE READ WORSE COMMENTS BEFORE WHICH YOU ALL GLADLY ALLOWED.
YOU ALL ARE SO DAMN HYPOCRITE WHEN IT COMES TO REPORTING,THE COMMENTS OF YOUR FRIEND S ARE FAVOURED ABOVE THOSE OF OTHERS,ITS ASA THOUGH SOME PEOPLE ARE WORTH MORE THAN OTHERS IN YOUR VIEW.
ADMIN: Come on, somebody just died. Many people are hurting. Despite what happened in the past, now is not the time for negativity. That was the reason your original post was not approved. There is a time for everything.
Are saying that because you may feel emotional that i have no right to say what i did
To Admin….I glad you know that!!!!
@ toma
DNO is correct. We must have respect for the departed and their relatives. Too often as I recently read on another article that some people choose those obituary columns to bash others and criticize them. It is uncalled for and this is not the moment to speak ill of the departed. Furthermore, everyone has some flaw in their personality. We are not God! Keep this in mind.
Wow the entrepreneural climate in Dominica is slowly chipping away man,during the last few weeks i have seen more than five prominent business personals,from diffrent walks of life, on this site passed on, there may be more, who were not featured on this site,but this is a sign of the time, Dominica is spinning into a rapid change,i do hope young Dominicans are stepting up to the plate, all we need is a few good ones to carry on.I extend my condolences to all the familes who have lost there love ones and which them God’s strengh and guidance;
@ thinking aloud
This happens. I recall the year prior to migrating to Canada I attended a lot of funerals. Nearly every day someone passed away, not only in Roseau but in other villages, people whom I knew. They were all in the senior bracket. I have not forgotten it. This is life.
my father is still alive at 89.Thank god.
God please grant this family and friends courage and comfort in their time of lost. He alone understands.
God Bless you Sir. Its time we hear bout these people before they die. Good Contribution to nation development.
I guess this year 2012 is the year of the demise of Dominican entrepreneurs, May his soul Rest in Peace and his family be comforted.
May his soul rest in peace
rest in peace uncle charlie
RIP Mr Charlie. Deepest condolences to your family.
Here was a distinguished Dominican who contributed so much to agriculture and to the development of the banana industry in its glory days of the 1960s.
Many will not remember, but it is so true when this report states: “Winston was an honourable gentleman. He was unassuming, kind and generous. Thought of as an interesting individual, he was willing to share his knowledge with anybody who asked, whether young or old”.
His was a good classic Dominican life, close to the land, his family and his community.