Retired agricultural officer Calvin Nicholls passes on

Vincentians from all walks of life, particularly those in the cooperative movement and those with an interest in wild life conservation, were at press time celebrating the life of a pioneer in both areas.{{more}}

Calvin Nicholls, a retired agricultural officer, passed away at his home at Fountain early on October 28, 2009, at the age of 78.

Mr. Nicholls was Agricultural Officer and had responsibility for Forestry. When he retired in 1989, he was acting Chief Agricultural Officer, having worked in the Ministry of Agriculture for over thirty years, most of these in the area of Forestry and Conservation.

In his early years, he worked at the Agricultural Experimental Station at Campden Park. He held two diplomas, one in Agriculture, the other in Forestry, both from the East Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry.

In honour of Mr Nicholls’ contribution to wildlife conservation, The Calvin Nicholls Wildlife Complex, located at the Botanic Gardens, was named in his honour. This complex is the breeding centre for the national bird, the Amazona Guildingii.

Mr. Nicholls was also a committed member of the credit union movement, having joined the Government Employees Credit Union (now the General Employees Credit Union (GECCU)) shortly after it was established in 1964.

He served as President of GECCU from 1978 – 81 and 1989 – 93, and remained a Director on the Board up to 2004. He was also a past President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Co-operative Credit Union League, and past Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU).

A release from the Credit Union League said “Brother Nichols was a dedicated credit unionist who pioneered many initiatives that helped to expand the Credit Union Movement in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean. His passing is indeed a sad loss for the entire Movement.”

Mr. Nicholls leaves to mourn his widow Renetta and children Dr Camille Nicholls, Jacqueline DaSilva, Francille Joseph and Ian Nicholls.