Eulogy OBITUARY Gerald ‘Gerry’ Leonard Aird(1942 – 2025)

Eulogy OBITUARY Gerald ‘Gerry’ Leonard Aird (1942 – 2025)

Mr. Aird departed this life peacefully at his residence on 18 July 2025. was the great-grandson of Harry Herbert Vivian Whitchurch, originally from Southampton, England, who came to Dominica to manage various estates here. In 1910, Mr. Whitchurch established a business in Roseau, gradually building a general and commission merchant enterprise, as well as an insurance, automobile, and shipping agency, and a dealership in dry goods, groceries, and fuel. Whitchurch was made an agent of Lloyds of London in 1926. One of the two Whitchurch daughters, Gwendolyn, married James Otto Aird, originally from British Guiana, who arrived to work in Dominica after serving in World War I.

Aird became managing director of the company on Whitchurch’s death in 1946, and his descendants have managed the company ever since. Gerry was born to James and Gwendolyn’s daughter, Jean, but his father, a serviceman on the US naval base in Antigua during World War II, departed after the war, broke off all contact, and never returned. So, James and Gwen adopted baby Gerry as their own. His early education was at a small school on Morne Bruce run by Miss Pearl Honychurch. He was then sent to attend The Lodge School, Barbados, for a few years, and later to Aldenham boarding school in Hertfordshire, England. Aldenham focused heavily on sports and was one of the first schools in England to adopt football, so athletics and football played a big part in Gerry’s life from then on. College, now The Bedford College University Group, where he studied business management, including accountancy and insurance.

He then worked in London for a few years, along with young Barbadians with whom he developed lifelong friendships. All (1942 – 2025) were intent on returning to their Caribbean Island homes and businesses, and Gerry’s commitment was also to return to manage the family company in Dominica. But when he did so, it was like a baptism of fire. His grandfather, J.O. Aird, had died, and in 1961, a large part of the firm’s property was destroyed in a disastrous fire which took out the entire block on what was then New Street (now Kennedy Avenue) and Old Street. Besides, there was a plot afoot to take over the company from him soon after his return. So, as he started his new life in Dominica, Gerry had an uphill battle on many fronts to stabilize the company for the future, which he eventually did with the help of loyal staff and family friends. As a result, the company purchased the old L.Rose & Co. building on Kennedy Avenue. Whitchurch & Co. sold it in 1984 and repurchased and restored it in 2002.

Meanwhile, the Old Street property was extended and rebuilt, opening as a shopping centre in 1975, while new offices were completed in 1984. Under his guidance, the company went from strength to strength, coping with drawbacks and challenges along the way due to everything from natural disasters to economic changes that hit the company from time to time. Today it also owns ‘Big W’ at Canefield, and property at Picard, Portsmouth. Whitchurch extended its services and increased its staff, providing much needed employment for over 230 Dominicans, adding to its portfolio, Ground Handlers Ltd and Millennium Ventures Inc. So, along with J.A.S. Garraway (1828) and A.A. Baron & Co. (1896), L. A. Dupigny (1918), H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. Ltd remains among the oldest merchant companies still operating in Dominica. Gerry’s life commitment focused on his love for his family, the company for which he had a lifelong and ancestral commitment, and his love for Dominica. Everything extended from that axis. In 1971, he married Rose Laville, and they had three beloved children, Jason, Damian, and Renee, who to his joy, joined the company to carry on the legacy. There are now grandchildren to swell their ranks, all of whom Gerry loved with a deep passion, celebrating their every achievement. While committed to his family, he maintained great loyalty to his staff, who responded in kind, aware that their futures were strengthened by the success of the company.

Among his many ventures, Gerry Aird’s contribution to the development of tourism was significant and dated from the 1960s, particularly in his concern for tourism sites and the cruise and shipping aspects of the industry. This led to his involvement with the seaports and airports, and travel services. He had been involved with shipping from his earliest years, with his hands-on involvement with clearing and overseeing cargo handling and passengers in Roseau and Portsmouth. For many years, he served on various tourism-related boards and port authorities, as well as other statutory boards and committees. Little is publicly known of his quiet contribution to the historic restoration of sites such as the Cabrits and Roseau Old Market, where he oversaw financial support and funding in conjunction with his colleagues working on the sites. His concern for places such as the Botanic Gardens, where he played as a child, and the general upkeep of natural sites around the island was a lifelong passion, even in the face of disappointments over the lack of concern by others. He had a love for Dominica’s traditional culture and always highlighted this in the company’s promotion as well as his participation, particularly at Carnival time. For a while, he was a leading member of the Dominica Conservation Society.

The cleanliness of urban and rural surroundings, the upkeep of gardens, including his own, and despair at the casual buildup of garbage around the island were his major concerns. He had a great interest in illustrations of Dominica’s past, and one of his main hobbies was the collection of old postcards, prints, and paintings, which is probably the best on the island. Some of these featured on the annual Whitchurch calendars that he produced. He was involved in many community activities: He was a member of the Rotary Club. In sport, he was a goalkeeper on the Dominica national team in the 1960s and a member of the Volunteer Defence Force as well. His British background of order and discipline from his school years and the influence of his grandfather, J.O. Aird, stayed with him throughout his life and helped support him through the challenges he faced. Originally, a Church of England (Anglican) communicant, he converted to Roman Catholicism late in life and was deeply committed to his faith. He served as the Swedish Counsel for many years and also received the Sisserou Award of Honour. As a release from the company of H.H.V Whitchurch has stated: “As we come to terms with this great loss, we find solace in the memories he has left behind and the enduring legacy he has built, Mr. Aird has touched countless lives with his integrity, generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence, his presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will forever remain a part of H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. Ltd and in the hearts of all who knew him… May the Lord grant us strength, peace, and comfort as we remember and honour a truly remarkable man.