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Procession to St. Mary’s Church.
Casket escorted by members of the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
ANGUILLA--The flag draped casket of Sir Emile Gumbs departed Anguilla’s Parliamentary Building on Friday, May 25, at 10:30am, escorted by the Royal Anguilla Police Force’s honour guard and marching band, the Boy’s Brigade marching band, government officials and family members, all walking towards St. Mary’s Church, The Valley for his final thanksgiving service.
During the 20 minute walk, Anguillians filled the sidewalks and adjacent parking lots along the route to pay their final respects to the former, and longest serving Chief Minister of the island.
Prior to the start of the service, many stood and paid tribute to his selfless life of service as a government leader, a seaman, a family man and an effective shaper of the future of Anguilla post-revolutionary times. Among those paying tribute were Anguilla’s Governor Tim Foy, Leader of the Opposition Pam Webster, Chief Minister Victor Banks, Senate President of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) Myron Jackson, Lieutenant Governor of the USVI Osbert Potter, and through written letters both Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Didacus Jules and Prime Minister of St. Maarten William Marlin.
Chief Minister Banks welcomed all government officials from other islands and said, “We are here to celebrate the life and contributions of Anguilla’s second and longest serving Chief Minister, Sir Emile Gumbs. He was an essential figure in the early days of the Anguilla revolution as a member of the Peacekeeping Committee that ensured a smooth transition to law and order during those turbulent times. He played a special role in the building of a new Anguilla nation that was proud, strong and free. He touched the lives of Anguillians from all walks of life through his service both in government and in the wider community.”
The constant underlying themes within the many tributes delivered by both politicians, family members and even the clergy were the themes of a man rooted in self-awareness, a faithful and unswerving political servant of the people even when he stood alone at times without popular public support, a man who loved the sea, boat racing and sailing, a man who was compassionate, honest, calm and empathetic, and most of all a man devoted to his family.
Speakers included David Carty who gave the eulogy, Emile’s son Lawrence, daughter Catherine, granddaughter Elizabeth, and sister-in-law Patricia who also read condolences from Queen Elizabeth II and a tribute from Lady Gumbs describing him as a perfect husband, a gentle man with the patience of a saint, kind, loving and compassionate.
The officiating ministers included Bishop Errol Brooks, Reverend Wycherley Gumbs, Reverend Dunstan Richardson and Reverend Joseph Lloyd. Following the service Sir Emile’s casket was transported to South Hill for interment in the Bethel Methodist Church, cemetery.
