Thomas retires from Deputy Consular General post

Cyril ‘Scorcher’ Thomas, last Wednesday, April 6, spent the last day as Deputy Consul General of St. Vincent and Grenadines in New York, USA.{{more}}

Thomas, who spent close to 10 years on the job, is looking forward to his retirement, and has no immediate plans for the future.

“I have done the best that I could as far as social contribution goe. I might still do something part time some time later on if it comes up,” Thomas said when questioned about his future plans.

In October 2001, when the then public school teacher decided to give up his teaching career of just over 15 years to serve SVG in the capacity of Consul General for almost half his then salary, many wondered, then, if he knew what he was doing.

“This position has been more gratifying even though teaching brought greater financial rewards, it was not as self gratifying,” Thomas, who was in born in Sion Hill, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, admitted.

Looking back, Thomas has no regrets and has had many fond memories of the job.

“Being able to represent in an international atmosphere, it was very eye opening and gratifying to me and at times a humbling experience,” he added.

Continuing his reflection of his tenure, Thomas, who was a goalkeeper for St. Vincent and the Grenadines back in the 1960s, said: “One of the things I really enjoyed was when the Caribbean Consult Corps got together for monthly meetings where we shared experience. It felt as part of a larger regional collection, and it made me feel that one day we can all function as one community”.

Thomas explained that the multifaceted nature of the job makes it very interesting and self rewarding.

“To be able to morph into different area and different personalities, without losing touch with the common man, having dialogue with Governors, Mayors, Consul Majors, movers and shakers, you are exposed to the whole political spectrum on an official level…it’s a wonderful experience for a little boy from Sion Hill,” Thomas reflected.

For Thomas, who after the departure of Consul General Cosmos Cozier at the end of November 2009, was in charge of the Office as Acting Consul General until January 31, 2011, when Selmon Walters took up the Consul General position.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves for giving me that special opportunity. I want to wish the PM and the government well as I pass the baton to my successor. I wish it could have lasted forever, but all good things must come to an end,” Thomas said.

As he leaves the consulate, Thomas hopes to take up another field now that he has the time. He wants to write a book, an autobiography.

Many know Thomas as “Scorcher”, and he still plans to scorch up the stage, as he will still pen and perform calypsoes.

However, he’s unsure if he will record any new music as he thinks his kind of songs are not well received by the younger generation, only the more mature persons.

“I will sing what the people know and want,” said Thomas, who captured the All Stars crown in 1986, under his usual sobriquet, Scorcher.

“Also, presently the art form doesn’t sustain itself, and my type of music is not given the attention by the buying public,” he added.

Thomas, who migrated to the USA in 1969, has served in the US Army and is a Vietnam veteran. He also had an 11-year stint as a Postal Clerk.

Prior to migrating, Thomas was a teacher at Richmond Hill and Kingstown Preparatory Schools, a Custom Officer and a Magistrate’s Clerk.(RT)