The late Cecil Dawson gets a sportsman farewell by his former cricket colleagues following his funeral service this morning November 19, 2011 at the Road Town Methodist Church. Photo: VINO

Hundreds turn out to bid farewell to Mr. Dawson.

The late Cecil Dawson.

Following the service, Dawson was laid to rest at the Road Town Cemetery.

The former Magistrate, who died on November 8, 2011, had a funeral service attended by persons from many walks of life including Government officials, senior public servants, attorneys,sports colleagues, relatives and friends.

During the service, several persons offered tributes while his eulogy was read by Denniston Fraser and the sermon was done by Canon Julian Clarke.

In a tribute from Deputy Governor Inez Archibald, she highlighted Dawson's public service career which spanned from November 1966 to June 2001.

She stated that during those thirty five years, he had climbed from Clerk in the Treasury and Customs Department to Senior Crown Counsel in the Attorney General's Chambers - a post from which he retired in 2001.

He also served as Air Traffic Control Officer, Administrative Officer, Crown Counsel, Ag. Magistrate and Coroner, and Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Even after his retirement in 2001, Dawson continued to serve in the public service and was appointed Additional Magistrate in 2001, and acting as Magistrate and Coroner on 31 occasions between December 2001 and August 2007.

The Deputy Governor said employee profiles can seem cold and lifeless but "if we were to enliven that information we would find, in Mr. Dawson's case, he touched the lives of the people of the Territory in really significant ways".

"He came, he saw, he served. And I believe, we are the better for his being here."

Tribute was also given by President of the BVI Bar Association, Keisha Durham who took the opportunity to "celebrate the life and express gratitude for the distinguished service he rendered to the legal profession and the Virgin Islands community".

"We honour his memory and find inspiration in many things that he did including the fortitude to launch into the legal profession as a second career; establish a law firm, as well as his distinguished service to the community as he served not only as a Magistrate but also as a Registrar of Lands, the first chairman of the Financial Services Appeal Board; and as a member of the Board of Directors of the BVI Airport's Authority," Ms. Durham said.

Dawson had his own law firm, C.E. Dawson.

Relatives, friends and colleagues also gave glowing tributes including his sporting colleagues, with full presence of his many sporting colleagues including those from cricket, softball, track and field, dominoes and table tennis.

Dawson is survived by two sons, Troy and Kirt Dawson; brothers Walter, Carl and Devon Dawson; sisters Vivian Dawson, Elvera Braithwaite and Ethlyn Smith, grandson Tray Dawson; granddaughters Trinity and Trichia Dawson, in laws, uncles, nephews, nieces, and many others.

The news of Cecil Dawson’s death had sent shockwaves throughout the community.