St Kitts and Nevis: PM Terrance Drew extends grief over passing of Comrade William ‘Willy’ Dore

Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, has expressed grief and sorrow on the passing of Comrade William ‘Willy’ Dore. While expressing pain, he remembered him and shared his life experiences.

Prime Minister Drew took to social media and added, “I express my sincere condolences, once again, to the family and loved ones of the late William “Willy” Dore. Today Comrade Willy Dore was laid to rest.”

His post further read, “William Dore, affectionately known as Willy, was born in Nevis in 1925 and moved to St. Kitts in the 1950s. He was a powerful educator. He taught at the Basseterre Boys School. During his tenure as a teacher, Willy Dore introduced the College of Preceptors Examination and got the government to spearhead the initiative to increase academic accreditation in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Mr Dore was an avid reader and an academic enthusiast. He had a large collection of books on numerous fields of study.”

PM Terrance Drew further added in 1971, he was appointed Labour Commissioner. He was later appointed Director of the National Agricultural Corporation (NACO) St Kitts-Nevis in 1976 and was instrumental in numerous policy implementations and reforms.

“William “Willy” Dore took great pride in being the eldest member of the Rotary Club of Saint Kitts and kept abreast of the happenings within the organization. Mr Dore ran for elections on the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party ticket in 1981 but was unsuccessful,” he said, adding, Following the damage caused by Hurricane Georges, William “Willy” Dore presented a large format photograph of a Labour Party demonstration on constitutional development to the National Archives that was taken by a Kittitian Photographer called O’Loughlin in 1951. The march was led by FT Williams, JN France, CAP Southwell, and Austin Eddy.”

PM Drew further concluded and mentioned, “I would describe Mr Dore as a true stalwart…a patriot, a historian, an activist, a man with a passion for learning, and an outstanding educator. He was sharp and very quick-witted. He loved his country and served his people well. William Dore, or “Uncle Willy” as many knew him, will be deeply missed. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Dr Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, took to social media to express pain and grief. He stated, “We said goodbye to an incredible human being, an extraordinary man who gave his life to the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, his community and his country. I am better as an educator and a politician because I knew him and learned so much from him. I trust God to bless his family and all whose lives he touched.”

He further added, “May the soul of our faithfully departed William (Willie) Dore rest in the eternal peace we all envision on the other side of this earthly journey.”

In addition to this, Former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas, shared a glimpse of the ceremony and expressed his condolences. He said, “I joined families, friends and members of the Cabinet and Labour Party in paying my last respects to the late William “Willie” Dore, Educator and Political Candidate for the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party.”

His post mentioned, “William Dore would have touched and impacted many lives because of his sterling contribution and the transformation in our Education landscape on St. Kitts Nevis. As we mourn his loss, let’s remember his loved ones in our prayers and be assured he’s resting from his years of labour on this side. May his soul RIP!”

However, the funeral service was attended by various leaders of the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), including Marsha T Henderson, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation.