A man who has served Dominica in many capacities, including as Mayor of Roseau, will be laid to rest next Friday (April 5).
Stafford “Star” Lestrade, died on Monday at the age of 93 and will be laid to rest at the Roseau Public Cemetery following a funeral service at the Goodwill Pentecostal Church.
Local historian, Dr. Lennox Honychurch, said Lestrade was active in local politics since the 1950’s and was a veteran of World War II.
He was a supporter of the Dominica United Peoples Party (DUPP) and when it folded, he helped to found the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP).
He was at one time Mayor of Roseau and his council renamed New Street to Kennedy Avenue in honour of the assassinated US President.
He unsucessfully contested to be President of Dominica in 1983 and the post eventually went to Sir Clarence Seignoret, according to Dr. Honychurch.
Below is a list of some of the capacities in which Lestrade served Dominica.
-World War II Serviceman.
-Founding member of the Dominica Credit Union Movement, (along with the late Sister Alicia).
-Founding member of the Roseau Cooperative Credit Union.
-First President of the St. Alphonsus Co-operative Credit Union.
-First President of the Dominica Credit Union League.
-Dominica’s first representative on the Board of the West Indies Confederation of Credit Unions.
-Co-founder and Vice-President, Dominica Association for Mental Health.
-Founding President, Visiting Justices Committee of Princess Margaret Hospital and Her Majesty’s Prisons.
-President, Dominica Amateur Sports Association.
-Mayor of the City of Roseau.
-Founding Leader of the Peasants and Workers Movement, he was associated at various times with the Dominica Freedom Party, the Dominica Labour Party and the United Workers Party.
There will be no public viewing of the body.
It is a shame that Mr. Stafford “Star” Lestrade have family in St.Maarten and he did not know that his uncle die in Dominica, until I saw this on the 24 April2013 and told him on a bus on the 26 April 2013 and said no one told him that his uncle had passed away.This is a big shame on whosoever knew and did not let his family know about it. shame, shame , shame on you….
it was star who conferred a doctorate on bob ross of ross university.does honeychurch know that? he is the one who disclosed the 17000 tire deal at the roseau market. ask frank.he was the only politician i voted for in da.much more to tell but i will miss him.
My Condolences to the Lestrade family. may his soul rest in peace.
boy mamo was a real iron-lady eh! look at her face how it se’wyay (serious). lol
Rip a true local hero from the village of La Plaine.
Condolences to the family of the deceased,i wish u all the fortitude through this trial,GOD ‘S MERCIES ENDOURETH FOREVER….and speaking on the behalf of our so called SO heros and heroine…when will be the day that DOMINICA may give unto them ,their roses…..is it till they go to the grave that they may recieve flowers…..i dont know much and they should be recogniZed a few examples re OUR FAVOURITE SONG STARS such as OPHELIA MARRIE,BELLES COMBO ,EARL ETTIENE.(NATURALLY TALENTED) On the other hand our recently deceased MAYOR ,MR STAR LESTRADE ,JEFF JOE(EDUCATIONALLY TALENTED)…….THEY VE APPRECIATED THERE TIME HRE…WHAT ABOUT A TRIBUTE OF RECOUNCILATION …GET THEM TOGETHER LET THEM PART THE EVENT,.DONT PRESS THE MATTER AS TO FINANCIAL GAIN FROM THE PUBLIC LET OUR HEROES HAVE THE BENEFIT …HAND THEM A PRESENT ,MAKE THEM FEEL SPECIAL CAUSE THEY RE SINCE THEY VE CONTRIBUTED TO THE COUNTRY…MY DREAM OF THE ELDER….REMEMBER THEM NOW BEFORE ITS TOO LATE,I PLEA FROM A CONCIDERATE REASON OF MY HEART ……FREE ENTRY TO OUR HIGH RANKS OF PUBLICITY……doesnt mean that we are not men alike….that s my motive in regards to our so called heroes
a present of appreciation,of the awareness of touching lives touching hearts… ..my empathy and sympathy to my beloved Dominican……i ve got just a prayer and my concern to spare,oh that we may be bond of concern and in unity with the truth,honesty and empathy,and be motivated within heights of trust within our creator…..what joy this will be
oh no he never left the church because of politics as a matter of fact he was used to shout ” preach it brother preach it” at the time and was in full support of the politics in the church at the time.
Condolences to the Lestrade family, Beryl and sisters and brothers. One of Dominica pioneers.
RIP Uncle Star
The list of ways he served Dominica in the article above, paints a true picture of Star.I knew him as a man who believed in his principles,and fought for them. His work in the credit union sector in Dominica is truly exemplarary. He was passionate about sports and politics and I had many meaningful conversations with him that I recall plesantly today.
Condolences to the Lestrade family.
Rest in Peace Star.
He was a founding member of the UWP and served as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission from 1998-2000 and was persuaded to resign by a prominent and ambitious family member. He left the Roman Church because he refused to accept and confronted the antics and party politics of the Parish Pastor in the early 1980’s.He broke ranks with Eugenia Charles soon after the 1980 Elections and became a fierce critic of her policies and the supine posture of her “qualified”Ministers!Babs Henry Dyer was his lawyer in the case LESTRADE v ClARENCE SIGNORET and the AG of DOMINICA which he lost.I hope he left notes of his political life for Dr Honnychurch.RIP, Star!!Condolences to Beryl.
If it’s not controversial it’s not good for your kind. The biography was too positive for you, you had to add your 99 cents. SMDH
how was this comment controversial? this person just added more information about Star.
I recently heard that he was hospitalized. Sorry to know that he has passed on. This is a family I know extremely well. I also heard that one of his sons passed on a few months ago.
My heartfelt sympathy to all members of his family, too many to mention. May God sustain you at this time.
Eternal rest grant unto Stafford Lestrade, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen!
thank you..
Thank you.
It is appointed unto us once to die , after this the judgement. You served Dominica.
***THANK YOU***
For all he did for us and country, I am very appreciative for his contribution.
I just wanted to say thank you very much.
He was a true statesman in every way.
Thank You Mr. Lestrade & to his family!
I’ve seen and always heard about this gentleman growing up. He has contributed a lot to this country.
Sympathies to his love ones and may his soul rest in peace.
Nice to see Mr. Williams in this pic…
I want to add my condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. Mr. Lestrade made an outstanding contribution to the betterment of our beloved country. May he be welcomed into paradise and may he rest peacefully with the heavenly fold. God bless you sir…..Peace be with you
condolences to the Desole family in grandbay,Montserrat, canada,USA and the rest of the world’ may the good lord be your comfort and strength at this time.
my condolences to the fam. a pity i can’t view the body.
Stuart – Brother of President, Eluid Williams.
HE WAS ALSO A CRICKET COMMENTATOR IN THE 60S
My Condolences, to the Lestrade family !!
A true patriot. Very accomplished man.
Sad to see you go Mr. Lestrade
i concur;1000%
would’ve like to c a pic of Annette St.Hilaire face front to c how she looked bk then…always nice to see photos like these..bk in the olden dys esp for the young ppl.
…our country and its future developement@play
RIP a local hero. Condolences to the Lestrade Family