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