BASSETERRE, St Kitts, August 6th, 2016 (PRESS SEC) – It is with deep regret that Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris learnt on Thursday, August 4th of the untimely passing of Mr. Raymond O’Keiffe, Communications Officer at the OECS Commission based in St. Lucia. Mr. O’Keiffe, who was born in Antigua, died in Martinique at the age of 49 after a brief illness.
The well-known Mr. O’Keiffe was the driving force behind the success of the OECS NewsLink, a widely held sentiment that was expressed by one of his colleagues on Wednesday, August 3rd.
On Wednesday, Mr. Garfield Alexander, Programmes Manager at Radio St. Lucia Company Limited, RSL 97, sent an email that likely dampened all of the recipients’ spirits by the time they reached the end.
“Good day to all,” the correspondence started. It read in part: “As some of you might be aware Raymond O'Keiffe has been hospitalised. He has been the driving force behind the success of the ‘OECS NewsLink.’"
Word of Mr. O’Keiffe’s passing came on Thursday, and Prime Minister Harris reflected upon the man he knew. “He was a consummate professional who brought passion and a deep sense of responsibility to every project he touched. A well-respected, genuine man, he is gone too soon. I express heartfelt condolences to his wife and children, as well as his extended family and colleagues. They should take heart that so many people admired and loved him, and they always put their best foot – and news stories – forward in order to contribute to the OECS NewsLink, which was his professional raison d’être.”
On Tuesday, May 10th, Mr. Raymond O’Keiffe, in introducing Dr. Harris at the Regional Geothermal Forum in St. Kitts, said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to say that the next speaker is a gentleman that, personally, I admire for his eloquence. I think I’m going to leave it right there because I don’t want to steal the thunder. It gives me great pleasure to ask you to sit back, relax and listen to the wisdom of the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.”
That introduction encapsulates just the kind of man “Ray” was. He won everyone over with his generous and kind nature, whether it was when he would invite – with a big smile – members of the press to stay after an OECS event, such as the Regional Geothermal Forum, because he had “goodies” he wanted to share with them, or when he would give a compliment by saying something like “You are an Energizer Bunny. I wish you would give me one of your batteries.”
The reporters would always gratefully take the bags; flash drives; pens; books, as well as the compliments, but would also leave with a little piece of Ray. All who had the opportunity to know Mr. Raymond O’Keiffe will dearly miss him.
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