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Hundreds bid farewell to late PS Gordon [Photo-slide Included]

Hundreds turned up at the Long Look Methodist Church for the funeral service for the late PS Stanley Gordon. Photo: VINO
The casket bearing the body of the Late PS Gordon at the Long Look Methodist Church. Photo: VINO
The casket bearing the body of the Late PS Gordon at the Long Look Methodist Church. Photo: VINO
The casket bearing the body of the late PS Gordon at the Long Look Methodist Church. Photo: VINO
The casket bearing the body of the late PS Gordon at the Long Look Methodist Church. Photo: VINO
The late Stanley Gordon served in three Ministries as Permanent Secretary
The late Stanley Gordon served in three Ministries as Permanent Secretary
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI – The Long Look Methodist Church proved to be too small for a farewell service for a man of the stature of former Permanent Secretary (PS) Stanley Gordon MBE as there was just not enough space to accommodate the hundreds of persons who turned up to pay their final respects this morning October 22, 2011.

Mr. Gordon, who served as PS in some three Ministries for the Government of the Virgin Islands, passed away on Tuesday October 11, 2011 at his home in Hodges Creek, on the eastern side of Tortola after being in ailing health over the last three years.

Among those that turned up for the funeral were Premier Ralph, T. O’Neal and other members of the Virgin Islands Party as well as members of the National Democratic Party, People’s Patriotic Alliance and The People’s Party and a few independent candidates.

Premier O’Neal, in his tribute, said the Virgin Islands has lost “one of those breed of men that can be called a real gentleman” and who was loyal and faithful in whatever job or vocation he found himself in. He said Mr. Gordon’s contribution as a teacher in the North Sound Methodist School and the West End Methodist School, where he was Headmaster, was most significant and will be long remembered by people whom he taught and the parents with whom he interfaced.

“When he was transferred to the civil service as Director of Investment and Tourist Promotion, Mr. Gordon tackled the exercise with vigour and determination to make a big contribution to the changes taken place in the territory.” The Premier said after returning from a University in Puerto Rico Mr. Gordon was promoted to Permanent Secretary and posted to the Chief Ministers Office. “He took his job seriously and did his best to foster the growth and development of the Ministry. After his retirement he served as Chairman of the BVI Tourist board for several years and played a great part in advertising and promoting the British Virgin Islands.”

It was also said that being a community minded man, Mr. Gordon became a member of the BVI branch, of the British Red Cross Society and held the position of President for several years and at the time of his death he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was also a founding member of the Rotary Club of Tortola and served at one time as President. In addition to his official and community duties, he was a very active member of the Methodist Church and held various offices in the Church including that of a local Preacher.

Tributes were also given by Deputy Governor Inez Archibald MBE, Deputy Premier Dancia Penn QC, BVI Tourist Board, BVI Red Cross, Department of Education, Hon. J. Alvin Christopher and Hon. Julian Fraser RA.

The viewing of the body took place from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Long Look Methodist Church while interment was done at the Greenland Cemetery.

The former civil servant was 75 years old and has left to mourn his wife of many years Irma Gordon, an Educator. They had one son Trevor, who is deceased. Mr. Gordon, a son of the soil, had a long productive career in the public sector and rose to the highest public service rank of Permanent Secretary where he was one of the few Permanent Secretaries to serve in three Ministries. He was PS in the then Ministry of Health, Education and Welfare, then Chief Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Communications and Works.

Mr. Gordon was a school teacher, educator and an early member of the Rotary Club of Tortola. He himself was highly educated as he studied in Barbados and Trinidad and graduated from the University of the West Indies.

The late Gordon also earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He was one of the early pioneers of building the Public Service and was known for his hard work and integrity. In 1981 he was honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

He was also a former Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board and served on many other Public Sector statutory Boards. Mr. Gordon acted in the Virgin Islands as Deputy Governor on numerous occasion. In his retirement he dedicated his service and life to the Long Look Methodist church.

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The Staff, Management and Board of Directors of Virgin Islands News Online offer our condolences to his wife and family in this time of mourning.

26 Responses to “Hundreds bid farewell to late PS Gordon [Photo-slide Included]”

  • Confucius (11/10/2011, 09:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A true gentleman. Go with God Stanley. I will remember you always as a very decent, humble and kind hearted man.
  • change (11/10/2011, 09:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    my condolences goes out to his family may god gave you all strength and courage
  • Elli (11/10/2011, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad news. May he rest in Eternal peace.
  • Devon O (11/10/2011, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow thanks for this VINO...RIP Mr. Godon
  • Lorna Green (11/10/2011, 10:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest in peace Bro. Gordon.
  • opera (11/10/2011, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    he was one of the last good civil servants left..RIP
  • Straight Talk (11/10/2011, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP Uncle. I have said those words many a times on these blogs relative to others who have passed on, but it has never been this personal until today. A generation of my relatives are passing on. Just over a week ago, we buried another family member. Collectively, they have all left a wonderful legacy for those of us who are among the younger generation....one that we could be proud of and grow from. Again, may he rest in peace and find a place at the feet of the Almighty.
  • Diego Penn (11/10/2011, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Father,Uncle,Bestman and friend you were all of these to me. I will cherish all of the moments we had together you will forever be in my heart and I will do all in my power to keep your memory alive love you always UNCLE STANLEY R.I.P
  • Diamond (11/10/2011, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP Mr. Gordan. was a good man.
  • Wellsa (11/10/2011, 11:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My sincere condolences to the bereaved. May his soul rest in peace
  • Mmm (11/10/2011, 12:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. (Was not expecting this). My condolences to Mrs. Gordon
  • Nancy Drew (11/10/2011, 14:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My condolences to the bereaved. Mr Gordan will be missed. A distinguished gentleman is gone but not forgotten. I will surely miss seeing him with his wife walking in the Palm Grove area and heading to lunch. Hope that some of our BVI men and women would take example from this gentleman.
  • J (11/10/2011, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. I am indeed sad to hear of Mr Gordon's passing. He was indeed a humble, kind and sincere gentleman - one which will be missed. May he rest in Peace. My condolences go out to his family and especially his dear wife Mrs Irma.
  • Friend (11/10/2011, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The lunch crew @ La Gregs will miss your laughter and your kind words of encouragment. RIP Mr. G. You will be miss by all of us..
  • village matriach (11/10/2011, 17:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord Mr. G u gone leave us. We will miss you!
  • reeha@gift ideas (12/10/2011, 00:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    a creative personality is gone away. very sad story for me.
  • Rotarian Astrid (12/10/2011, 01:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am so very sad by this news reaching me here in Trinidad. Bro Stanley was not only an early member, but a charter member of the Rotary Club of Tortola and a stallwart Rotarian for 43 years. He always had an answer if I would seek his advise. I was also privileged to serve on the board with him while he was President of the BVI Red Cross. Irma, try to be strong. Your family and friends will always be there for you. Sending you my love and prayers
  • Erasmus Williams (12/10/2011, 01:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Gordon has made a sterling contribution to the national development of the British Virgin Islands. His tenure as a civil servant is to be emulated. To is family I extend my sincere condolences. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
  • Sha Sha (13/10/2011, 14:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest in peace Uncle Stanley until we meet again
  • insider (22/10/2011, 11:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    a good man is going to rest today..hard working and a man who was humbly..we will miss you Brother G
  • Lovely (22/10/2011, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I so admired seeing him come and pick up his wife at the Complex years ago when I worked there and would wait patiently. Mrs. Gordon, my sincerest sympathy to you and both sides of the family. You both were a couple I respected bringing a smile to my face everytime.
  • Overseas reader (23/10/2011, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    vino thanks for carrying this. I was wondering if any of the media houses had this. I continue to love your varity and coverage!
  • Hope Hill (23/10/2011, 23:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this was a beautiful send off for a man very well deserving of this type of service


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