Leader of the Opposition and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA called recently deceased Virgin Islands stalwart Alexander O. Shirley MBE a true gentleman who embodied the virtues of a model citizen. Photo: Lions Club of Tortola

“My many encounters with Mr Shirley were always pleasant and memorable. He was quite thoughtful and more importantly, polite and respectful. His social services to the community were also remarkable and most appreciated, as he was a long-standing Lion, and a member of the St. George's Vestry. He will certainly be missed by us all,” said Honourable Fraser. Photo: VINO/File

The former Accountant General in the civil service died Monday evening January 4, 2016 at Peebles Hospital in Road Town.

“Like most of the rest of the Virgin Islands, news of the passing of one of these Virgin Islands more distinguished citizens, Mr Alexander O. Shirley, MBE reached me on Monday January 4, 2016 and I was saddened,” said Honourable Fraser in a comment to this news site today January 6, 2016.

“My memories of Mr Shirley goes much further than most, because unlike so many I knew him before his Johnson Ghut days as a ‘Town Man’, as we would say back in the day, and it was back then I knew him for his cricketing prowess. And a true gentleman who embodied all the virtues of a model citizen,” said Honourable Fraser.

According to Honourable Fraser, Shirley served this territory as a distinguished Civil Servant, “most notably as Accountant General, a post once also held by my wife, and even though [his] retirement from the Civil Service ended much before my politics began, his Public Service never ended.”

Further, Honourable Fraser said that he was fortunate to work with A. O. Shirley as Chairman of the BVI Electricity Corporation while he was Minister for Communications and Works.

“My many encounters with Mr Shirley were always pleasant and memorable. He was quite thoughtful and more importantly, polite and respectful. His social services to the community were also remarkable and most appreciated, as he was a long-standing Lion, and a member of the St George's Vestry. He will certainly be missed by us all,” said Honourable Fraser.

Honours bestowed

One of the first sporting facilities in the Virgin Islands was named in Mr Shirley's honour in June 1990- the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, a multi-purpose stadium in Road Town, on the main island of Tortola.

The A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds is now one of the most popular sporting facilities in the territory and is used for track and field, football, cricket and many other school sporting events.

Mr Shirley was also one of three honourees recognised as heroes for their stalwart contributions in the community and their commitment to serving within the territory during a ceremony at the New Life Baptist Church (NLBC) on February 24, 2013.

The others honoured at the Heroes Day tradition at the church were the late Dr Joseph S. Archibald, QC. and Althea Samuels.

“On behalf of my wife Kharid and the people of the Third District and the Virgin Islands I'll like to extend condolences to his family in their time of grief and sadness. And pray that God will comfort them,” said Honourable Fraser.