Attorney at law and Historian William “Para” Riviere has died.
According to reports reaching Nature Isle News (NIN) Para as he was popularly known passed away at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital this evening November 30, 2021.
He was the brother of the late former government Minister F. O. Riviere.
According to a Sun newspaper article http://sundominica.com/articles/william-para-riviere-publishes-two-books-on-domini-4871/ Historian and Attorney-at-law, Dr. William “Para” Riviere has published two books on Dominica law and constitution in language that the average “non-legal” man-in-the-street can read and understand.
The books: “Handbook of Dominica Law” and “Our Constitution: Democracy or One-man Rule” was published in 2017 by Arawak Publications of Kingston, Jamaica.
“Handbook of Dominica Law is not a textbook on the laws of the island,” Dr. Riviere writes in the introductory notes to the 352-page hard-cover book. “Nor is it intended to convert readers into instant lawyers.”
NIN extends deepest condolences to his wife, sister Doreen, and other family and friends at his passing.
Condolences and much love to the wife and family members of Dr. Para Rivière on his passing.
My family and I are saddened by Para’s passing which represents not only a loss to his family and friends but also importantly to his scholarship in the social sciences and legal theory about the role of small snd marginalized peoples in the development process.
RIP Para!
Much love
Thanks for your kind words about my father.
Alicia Riviere
Sorry for your loss!
Thanks soo much Chantal.
Thanks for reporting the devastating news of my father’s death.
My father had a remarkable life as a freedom fighter, labor activist, college professor in NY and Jamaica. In his later years, he earned a Law Degree and practiced law when returning to his beloved Dominica.
I will surely miss his intellectual talks, his sarcasm, his jokes, his walk and his voice.
Para has left behind many loved ones including 2 sons Andrew and Chico, 1 daughter (myself), 5 grandchildren, his wife Ginny, his sister Doreen and 2 brothers Mervin and Newton.
R.I.P. Dad.
-Alicia Riviere
History Teacher, New York
Alicia, thanks for reminding the world about the great contributions that your dad made to the upliftment and progress of his family, and humanity. He was an inspirational and devoted man. His intellect, wit, and love for our people resides in you.
Hi Alicia,
You are most welcome. Indeed, it is my distinct pleasure to have extend my small though heart felt tribute to your dad with whom I have interacted socially and intellectually during my tenure at the UWI, Mona.
I am sure you know that your dad was and I dare say is a decent, humble, committed and generous human being who no doubt inculcated those same values in you and your siblings.
Indeed, I agree Para was a freedom fighter who as a historian and a lawyer always interrogated the inhumanity of oppressive systems and articulated the imperative for the oppressed throughout history to dismantle these systems to set themselves free to unleash their creative talents in the economy, culture, politics and other areas essential to their civilized development and their central role in it.
As such, I believe that you and your siblings will continue your dad’s legacy and work in your own way and with your own passions and uniqueness both in his beloved Dominica and beyond!
Blessings and much love to you and the rest of the family at this very difficult time of immeasurable loss and grief!
Peace ☮️
I have lost a lifelong friend and colleague. We traveled a memorable pathway from age five through elementary and secondary school, re-uniting at U.W.I, then parting again–he for doctoral studies at Edinburgh and I for graduate studies in Canada. I admired his consistent pursuit of excellence, honesty and dignity
Throughout, Bill was motivated by a strong social conscience, seeking through teaching, research, social and political activity and even as a member of the legal fraternity to advance the cause of the disadvantaged and those on the margins. He could not be bought or diverted from what he believed was right. For this he sometimes was misunderstood and paid a personal price. But he has made his mark and will be missed.
Loving regards to Ginny, Doreen, Mervyn and the rest of the family. R.I.P. my friend
Thanks for your kind words about my father.
If you are in Dominica maybe you can make it to today’s Viewing.
Kindly,
Alicia Riviere
Thank you for the warm, interesting words about my Dad.
If you are in Dominica maybe you can make it to today’s Viewing.
Kindly,
Alicia Riviere