BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INFORMATION reaching SKNVibes states that George Washington Archibald passed away at approximately 11:47 last night (Jun. 19) at the JNF General Hospital.
The 83-year-old educator, social commentator and political activist, whon was affectionately known as ‘Washie’, was ailing for some time.
Washie was born to Ella Dasent and George Albert Archibald on May 28, 1934 in Soho, Basseterre, St. Kitts.
His teaching career began in 1951 at various government schools. He first taught at the St. Peter’s Government School, then to the Basseterre Boys School and finally at the Molineaux/Estridge Government School.
Washie then moved on to the Basseterre Senior School where he taught from 1961 to 1964 and in that final year was appointed Head Master of Irish Town Primary School.
In the following year, he was appointed Principal of the Basseterre Senior School with the mandate to transition it to the Basseterre High School, which was upgraded to a high school in 1998 and named the Washington Archibald High School.
In 1973, the educator opened the St. Kitts Business College and founded and ran Project Strong from 1988 to 2009.
Among his academic accomplishments were a Diploma from the Leeward Island Teachers’ College in Antigua in 1960 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economic and History from the University of the West Indies in 1968. His Minor was English Literature.
Speaking with WINN FM, former Government Minister Dwyer Astaphan offered his condolences and stated that he had known and worked with Washie for several years.
“Firstly, I must extend condolences to the family and loved ones of Washie. Washie and I go back to 1970 when he was my boss at the Basseterre Junior High School East Park Range campus. I taught under him, I got to know him; a committed teacher, born to teach, a historian, a proud patriot, a man proud of his heritage.
“He loved his country, he had a passion for his people learning, he was a father not only to many children biologically, but to thousands and maybe generations of young Kittitians and Nevisians. He was an activist, a politician, an agitator. He was just an all around soldier for the betterment of this country and for the region. He was an author, he was more things than I have time to describe at this particular moment. He’ll be sadly missed and my life for sure was enhanced by having known him and being a friend of his. May his soul rest in peace.”
The management and staff of SKNVibes join with the countless citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis in extending condolences to the family of the late George ‘Washie’ Washington Archibald.
