(Charlestown, Nevis) --- “By his sudden passing I am reminded that in the midst of life you have death,” were the words of former Premier of Nevis Hon. Vance Amory while paying tribute to the late Hon. Malcolm Guishard former Deputy Premier of Nevis.

The island of Nevis closed out all business operations on Wednesday and persons of all walks of life came out to pay tribute to the late Guishard at the State Service which was held at Grove Park.

Members of the Federal Government as well as the Nevis Island Administration were notably present to pay well wishes to the family of the bereaved.

Former Premier of Nevis Hon. Vance Amory paid tribute to his late colleague and in so doing noted that his sudden passing has affected the entire island of Nevis especially his wife Mrs. Yvonne Guishard and their family.

Hon. Terrence Sam Condor hugs wife of the deceased, Mrs. Yvonne Guishard

The former Premier is quoted as saying, “The manner in which Malcolm lived his life and the way he served this country must be a lesson to all of us especially the young people in this country. 

 I can attest that his entry into politics and public life was not easy. There were those who at the beginning even dared to say that he was not capable. Now even they have come to recognize and agree that he was a giant in the political arena. It is just that we could not see it at that time.”

Grandson of the deceased Shamar Guishard

 Amory continued: “He was a true patriot and statesman who became with the rest of the leadership and membership of the CCM party one of the architects of the social, economic and political transformation of the mother Nevis. 

His leadership and initiative in the revitalization of the Tourism industry is clear for all to see and even his fiercest critics have come to admit now in his death that this is the case.”

 In paying tribute Amory explained that the late Guishard had an insistent and energetic approach to ensure that low income earners had an opportunity to own a home and to have pride in such ownership.

This Amory said ‘must mark him as a man who cared about lifting up the less fortunate among us to a place in which they could be a part of the transformation of our beloved land’ and Amory further went on to explain that the affordable housing projects at Bath Village, Prospect, Rawlins Pasture, Hard Times and New River are all testimony to the legacy of ‘our fallen brother’ the Hon. Malcolm Guishard.

A nation in mourning

Amory said that Guishard had a willingness to look for the best in all men, he never took things personally and he was quick to forgive and forget even those who were gorging him and crucifying him.

His commitment never sought to persecute anyone and if there was a path of conciliation he sought to find it.

Son of the deceased Mr. Kevin Guishard

“Such was the generosity of the man even though there were those who benefitted from his great heartedness who still vilify him even now that he is dead. I, like, so many others have been close to Malcolm. 

I taught him at school and apart from that I knew him from church at St. John’s. Even at this time I cannot fully come to terms with Malcolm’s passing but I do know that his death has left a gap in the political landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Whatever our feelings about his political style, about his happy go lucky approach to life, whatever assessments we choose to make it will be recorded in our history that here was a man who made a significant contribution to changing the lives of many and has set a record of accomplishments of which we as his family, friends, his party and this country can be enormously proud”, closed Amory.

Daughter of the deceased Ms. Shenel Guishard

The service began at 8 a.m. with viewing of the body and the official service began at 10: 30 a.m. His body was interred at the Charlestown Cemetery and burial arrangements were entrusted to Hunkins Funeral home.