While family, colleagues, friends, and well-wishers try to come to grips with the passing of a dear individual, Michael Bruney, his death has been described as a huge loss for Dominica by many persons who knew him very well.
Bruney, 62, who had several stints as a magistrate from 2011 till his death succumbed to cancer on Wednesday, 24th June 2020 at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
According to National Security and Home Affairs Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, Bruney served his country well.
“Despite a very successful private practice, Mr. Bruney continued to be of service to the Government and people of Dominica. He did his first stint as a magistrate in February 2011. He was assigned to District G, which comprised Portsmouth and surrounding areas. He had experience in Roseau and would fill in the gap whenever he was called upon.
“Mr. Bruney was a true son of the soil and a patriot of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Even through his illness, he continued to work and offered support to the Magistrate’s Office. He was a down to earth person,” he remarked.
He further stated, “There can be no doubt about the expertise and skills of Mr. Bruney as an attorney and magistrate. Professional, kind, dynamic, and patriotic are just some of the words that can be used to describe Mr. Bruney. Indeed, Dominica, the legal profession, and the people of Dominica have suffered a great loss with the passing of Mr. Michael Bruney.
Meanwhile, Chief Magistrate Candia Carette George has remembered the late Michael Bruney as a very knowledgeable individual.
“The Dominica Magistrate Court mourns the passing of a dear magistrate. Mr. Bruney was a sitting magistrate who was a great asset to the Magistrate Court. He was a brilliant attorney with an immense knowledge of the law. The news of his passing has left our hearts very heavy,” she stated.
Attorney and friend Darius Jones remember “Mikey”, as he was affectionately called, as one who was always willing to help others.
“I have known him to be a very affable individual and approachable. You could always talk to him. He was well-read in law. He did not hold anything from you. If you asked him a question he would assist you. You could talk to him. He would give you his take on it.
“This is something that we are lacking. I have never seen him with a vexed face. He was a very serious man as a magistrate. You could laugh with him outside but inside it was serious business. His death is a loss to the legal profession in Dominica,” he opined.
Another attorney, Dawn Yearwood-Stewart remembers him as “a funny and loving person”.
“I met him in 2000 when I came to Dominica. He always made me laugh. He was jovial, affable and a lot of fun to be around. I still can’t believe it although he was ill for some time. I am really saddened by his passing,” she said as she reminisced.
Michael E. Bruney was called to the bar in Dominica on the 21st day of October 1988 and worked as a Registrar of the High Court for some time. He went into private practice in the early 1990s.