The Government of Dominica has decided to accord Dominica’s first Prime Minister Patrick Roland John a State funeral on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. According to a release from the Cabinet Secretary, the date has been provided by his wife, Mrs Desiree John.
“In accordance with the Cabinet Decision of July 31, 2021, the late Patrick Roland John, being a former Prime Minister, shall be accorded a State Funeral. Cabinet has directed that a three (3) day period of mourning beginning Monday, September 27 to Wednesday, September 29, 2021, will be observed.”
The Dominican Flag shall be flown at half-staff on all public buildings in the State on the official days of mourning. Mr Patrick Roland John served as Dominica’s first Prime Minister from November 3, 1978, to June 21, 1979, after leading the island to political independence from Great Britain. Prior to independence, John served as Premier of Dominica from July 26, 1974, to November 3, 1978.
Further details of the lying in state, funeral and burial will be provided in a subsequent statement.
The Government of Dominica wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the late Mr Patrick Roland John.
Mr John died at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital on Tuesday, July 6 2021 at the age of 83.
He was born in Roseau on January 7th, 1938 and educated at the Roseau Boys School and the St. Mary’s Academy where he later taught for four years.
He worked as a shipping clerk at H.H.V. Whitchurch & Co. before leaving to organize the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU). He was also elected to the Roseau Town Council and served as Mayor from 1965.
In 1970 contested the general elections as a member of the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and won the Roseau North seat, serving in the Le Blanc government at different times as Minister of Communications and Works, Home Affairs, Agriculture and Finance. In 1974 took over the leadership of the DLP from Edward Le Blanc and prepared the party with a new younger look for the general elections of 1975. This he won with a landslide, the DLP capturing 16 of the 21 seats in the House of Assembly.
Patrick John led the delegation that attended preliminary meetings with the British government and the constitutional conference in London in March and May of 1977. Political independence was achieved on 3 November 1978 and John became the first Prime Minister.
Later in life, John immersed himself in sports, becoming President of the Dominica Football Association (DFA) and serving as warden of the St. George’s Anglican Church.
He was bestowed with Dominica’s highest award, The Dominica Award of Honour and Venezuela’s highest honour, The Order of Francisco de Miranda.