Former Governor-General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, 83, died at his home on Thursday morning, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has announced.
Sir Frederick died a mere five months after demitting office as St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ longest-serving head of state.
His death comes just under two weeks after Gonsalves, speaking on Jan. 12, asked for prayers for the ailing leader, who was then in hospital.
“He is a great man, a humanist, he has a fantastic soul and spirit and he loves this country more than he loves himself,” Gonsalves said then.
Sir Frederick, a retired cardiologist, served as Governor-General from Sept. 2, 2002 until July 31, 2019.
In July 2019, Gonsalves announced that Sir Frederick had indicated a desire to demit office, for health reasons.
Susan Dougan, a retired educator and former Cabinet Secretary succeeded him, taking up the post on Aug. 1, 2019.
May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family, friends and those who knew him. I worked with him when he was in the health service. He was a wonderful man.
From GG
To SVG:
My Heart, My Cares
My heart, it leaps and then it sleeps.
I smile because I am sanctified.
The joy I feel is what you would dream.
My spirit, it never felt so serene.
The worries of life have passed me by.
The joys within, it makes me sing.
My spirit is now re-energized,
And the plight of life was once upon a time.
I pray that you will understand,
That life is just a passing pang.
The light must be your focused plan—
It guides you straight to his right hand.
I pray that you will understand,
Deserting you is not my plan.
The breath of life is his sanction,
And the choice is his, so I go along.
My soul is at rest, and he knows best.
He assured me that he will take care of the rest.
My family, he said, they are blessed.
Please understand as you withstand the test.
No fear, no snare, I’ll be always near.
He promised me he will let me take care.
I sit right next to his right hand.
He is a man who carries through with his plan.
I am at peace and will now sleep.
Thanks for your love—it is so deep.
Your time, your cares, your heart full of cheers,
So-long, my dears; remember the Lord cares.
By: Elma Gabriel-Mayers
My deepest condolences from the Thomas family
My deepest sympathy to the families of Sir Fredrick Ballantyne may he rest in peace be strong God never give us more than we can bear
Be strong