Maxwell Smith put country above self - Premier [Photoslide Included]
Smith, a former businessman and a third district candidate with the United Party (UP) was pronounced dead at Peebles Hospital after being rushed there in a reportedly unconscious state after being pulled from a partially submerged vehicle that was involved in an accident on Sunday January 8, 2012.
The accident, between two vehicles, had resulted in the vehicle that Smith was driving toppling into the sea at Freshwater Pond, West End.
The viewing and funeral service were held at the Sea Cows Bay Methodist Church where among the scores in attendance were Acting Premier Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Minister for Communications and Works Mark Vanterpool, 3rd District Representative Julian Fraser RA and At Large Representative Archibald Christian.
The Premier in his tribute wrote, “his untimely death came as a shock to all of us and we are faced with a sense of deep loss indeed, a void in this Territory has been created because of the many positive, personal attributes that Mr. Smith possessed and for his many contributions throughout these Virgin Islands.”
Dr. Smith further wrote that fond memories of Maxwell Smith are etched in his mind. “First and foremost, I remember him as a police officer who significantly contributed to the preservation of law, order and public safety in this community. He was always committed to putting the lives of others before his own. I reflect on his passion for putting others above self, which was demonstrated in his line of business as he opened his own security firm-extending his love for law and order to the protection of homes and establishments. Although he deployed his men to work at these sites on a regular basis, he would personally double check sites periodically, to make sure that everything was going well. In the field of construction, Maxwell appeared to possess special skills in that area...In addition, as a taxi operator he placed country above self and significantly contributed to the development of the tourism product.”
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In the Eulogy, it was stated that Smith, who graduated from the BVI High School in 1972, enlisted in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) after being encouraged to do so by his former teacher Adorothy Turnbull.
He then attended the Metropolitan Police Training School in London and during his tenure in the RVIPF, he attended numerous study courses overseas, namely United Kingdom, United States and the Caribbean.
He later became proprietor and Director of his own security company and was also the Property Manager and Co-founder of M&H Apartments. In order to establish his business at the time, he complemented his income with fishing and taxiing in his faithful brown bus known as Lucinda.
He later served as Vice- President of the Taxi Association and was a former member of the BVI Ports Authority and an employee of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Security team.
Smith was also described as a family man, friend to all and a comedian at times.
He leaves to mourn his wife of 35 years Hyacinth Walters, Children Maxwell Jr., Travis, Travicca and Travonnie, three grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends.
Burial took place at the Leonard Family Cemetery.
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