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Former USVI Governor & VI Belonger Charles W. Turnbull has died

- Turnbull held the USVI’s top office for 8 years
Information just reaching our newsroom is that former Governor of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Dr Charles Wesley Turnbull died this morning, Sunday, July 3, 2022. Photo: kids.kiddle.co
The late USVI Governor Dr Charles W. Turnbull was the keynote speaker at the renaming of Little A. Race Track to Ellis Thomas Downs in April 2009. From left: Former Speaker Julian Willock, former USVI Governor Turnbull, former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, Mr Ellis Thomas, Hon Julian Fraser RA and then President of the VI Horse Owners Association Mr Perry Penn. Photo: Team of Reporters
The late USVI Governor Dr Charles W. Turnbull was the keynote speaker at the renaming of Little A. Race Track to Ellis Thomas Downs in April 2009. From left: Former Speaker Julian Willock, former USVI Governor Turnbull, former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, Mr Ellis Thomas, Hon Julian Fraser RA and then President of the VI Horse Owners Association Mr Perry Penn. Photo: Team of Reporters
MARYLAND, USA- Information just reaching our newsroom is that former Governor of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) Dr Charles Wesley Turnbull died this morning, Sunday, July 3, 2022.

According to reports, Dr Turnbull passed away in Maryland, USA. He was 87 years of age.

The late Turnbull, who was elected governor in 1998 as a Democrat, went on to serve two four-year terms, beginning his tenure in January 1999.

VI Belonger

The sixth governor of the USVI was born February 5, 1935, in Charlotte Amalie to John Wesley Turnbull and Ruth Ann Eliza Skelton Turnbull who were both immigrants from the [British] Virgin Islands.

He was one of the few governors of the USVI who was a Belonger of the [British] Virgin Islands.

Close connection to VI

Dr Turnbull frequented the VI, including as the executor of lands at Paraquita Bay.

He was the keynote speaker at the renaming of Little A. Race Track to Ellis Thomas Downs in 2009.

Fmr Speaker Willock offers condolences

Former Speaker of the VI House of Assembly Mr Julian Willock told our newsroom that he was saddened this morning when he received a call that the former USVI Governor had passed.

Mr Willock noted that Dr Turnbull was a longtime friend, political mentor and also a member of his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

“I have already conveyed to his family my own personal condolences and I know the Government of National Unity will also do the same in conveying to the family and the people of the US Virgin Islands their condolences,” Mr Willock stated.

Turnbull started career as a school teacher

Prior to holding the top office in the USVI, Dr Turnbull was a professor at the University of the US Virgin Islands, Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of the USVI Department of Education, Principal and Assistant Principal of Charlotte Amalie High School, and a teacher in elementary and secondary schools.

Dr Turnbull was elected Governor of the Virgin Islands in 1998 and served from 1999 to 2007. While in the position, he held membership in the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors’ Association, and the Democratic Governors Association.

In 2011, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands honored Turnbull by naming a new public library in Estate Tutu, St. Thomas, “The Charles Wesley Turnbull Regional Public Library. In addition, he was awarded the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor, the Territory’s highest honor.

At the 51st Commencement of the University of the Virgin Islands in 2015, Dr Charles Wesley Turnbull was awarded an Honorary Doctorate.

12 Responses to “Former USVI Governor & VI Belonger Charles W. Turnbull has died”

  • Xxx (03/07/2022, 11:44) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP old boy
  • 2 pac (03/07/2022, 12:05) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    A true VI man. A hero to say it best
  • Reader (03/07/2022, 13:13) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    My sincere condolences to the Turnbull family both in USVI and BVI.
  • A (03/07/2022, 14:04) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sincere condolences to the Familly.
  • Windy (03/07/2022, 14:42) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    A man who believed in the greater Virgin Islands
  • Andrew Cox Sr (03/07/2022, 14:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    well done Sir Turnbull
  • A Good man. (03/07/2022, 16:15) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    May he rest peacefully. He worked from the bottom up. A gentle man that was at odds with his very tall stature. A former teacher at the former College of the Virgin Islands.

    His legacy is one to be admired. He did everything and held many positions along the way to grow bigger and better.

    He had my utmost respect in life back then as he now has in death. I remember him advising me as a college student. I was always amazed how easy going and mild mannered he was. A gentle and decent man.

    Rest on teacher. A life well lived. Condolences to his surviving family
  • Atlanta (03/07/2022, 17:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    he was a good man a friend of all and he lived a good life. Your work on earth is over sleep on Prince Charles
  • Interested (03/07/2022, 17:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very friendly and engaging gentleman.I met him in the 1960’s when he was principal of CAHS.He had come to Tortola and was visiting his Turnbull relatives.Danced with Him at our end of term class party.Quite hilarious!
    May he Rest In Peace.
  • Dtn (03/07/2022, 18:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    R.I.P. neighbor of 22 years.
  • Fam (03/07/2022, 19:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A good man has died never knew for whom the bell told
  • Really (04/07/2022, 10:37) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    If people don't realize what is killing millions of people right now then stay dumb. Only one thing they started giving out for free and after that everyone is dying of heart attacks, stroke,cancer,sads,etc and its not covid as what they died from so i wonder what it is sheep. Do you think you all can stop rolling up you all sleeves and think. What's so funny to me is my cousin who's older told me that the government is going to try to control everything and provide us with everything we need so we don't have to pay bills and then they will inject us with their poison needle. All I'm saying in my head is you already too the poison so it's too late, soul gone. Don't think that the mark was after this because it was before and he had the knowledge but got scared of a cold just to take the same needle he said they will give us in the future. The future is now than bam


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