B.V.I. Monday, October, 19 – Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, joins with the people of the Territory in mourning the passing of former legislator Mr. Alban U. Anthony who died on Sunday at Peebles Hospital at age 86.
The Premier paid tribute to Mr. Anthony by recalling his sterling contributions as a civil servant and Minister for Communications, Works and Industry.
“Mr. Anthony served his country well as a civil servant in the Customs Department and then in the Public Works Department, PWD, where he often acted as officer in charge. He later served as administrative secretary and finally attained the rank of permanent secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Works and Industry,” the Premier said.
The Premier extended his condolences to the children and family on behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands. “He has left us a great legacy, not only in the House of Assembly but through three of his children who have followed in their father’s footsteps in public service,” the Premier added.
His two daughters, Sheila Brathwaite and Ruth Frazer, serve as permanent secretary and education officer, respectively, in the Ministry of Education and Culture and his son, Michael, is Chairman of the Board of Immigration.
The Premier fondly recalled that as the representative for the fourth district Mr. Anthony was very passionate about his constituency and as Minister for Communications, Works and Industry, he made significant contributions to the infrastructural development of the Territory.
He was instrumental in securing funding from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the installation of runway lights at the Beef Island Airport making it possible for the Territory to accommodate night flights. Mr. Anthony also successfully obtained funding from the FCO for road works improvement in Road Town and for heavy duty vehicles for the PWD.
“He served his country well, he will be dearly missed and his contributions will be long remembered,” the Premier reflected.
Mr. Anthony was elected to the Legislative Council in 1975 as representative for the fourth electoral district and appointed Minister for Communications, Works and Industry. He was re-elected in 1979 and was appointed Deputy Chief Minister. During his two terms from 1975-1979 and 1979-1983 as Minister for Communications, Works and Industry, the first phase of the electricity corporation was approved, the fisheries department was established and that period also saw the construction of new schools and an extension and improvements to Peebles Hospital.
British Virgin Islands News