Former Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (right) has paid tribute to fallen Founding Member of the VIP and businessman, Mr Randolph W. ‘Mose’ Malone. Photo: VINO/File

Mr Randolph W. 'Mose' Malone passed away at Peebles Hospital on December 28, 2016 at age 89. Photo: VINO/File

Mr Malone passed away at Peebles Hospital on December 28, 2016 at age 89.

“The death of my dear friend Randolph (Mose) Malone is deeply saddening to my family and me. He was a great friend over the years and an important citizen in the history of this territory,” Hon O’Neal stated in a press release dated Monday January 2, 2017.

According to the former Chairman of the VIP, Mr Malone’s entrepreneurial spirit is the embodiment of the people of the Virgin Islands in moving the territory forward. “Always concerned about the direction of the country, he became a founding member of the Virgin Islands Party and his support over the years never wavered.”

Source of inspiration

One of the Caribbean’s longest serving legislators, Hon O’Neal said Mr Malone was a source of inspiration and encouragement to him “personally especially during my most difficult moments. He was also kind to many people and spared no effort to help his fellow citizens in need.”

Hon O’Neal, who recently returned to the territory after he was taken abroad having suffered a stroke some months ago, said he will remember his friend “Mose dearly and I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and pray that they find strength in the knowledge that he served his God and his people with great dedication and sincerity. May they be comforted at this difficult time, may they continue to trust that the God who knows all things is with them at this time.”