Playwright Godfrey Bobby Fraser dies at 70

Godfrey Bobby Fraser, widely acclaimed Vincentian playwright, whose radio serials were popular throughout the Eastern Caribbean in the 80s and 90s, has died.{{more}}

Fraser, 70, died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Sunday morning, after having been admitted the day before.

Fraser is well known for his plays “Leroy”, “Life with Mabel” and “The Courting of Beatrice”, which he co-wrote with the late Chester Rogers.

A veteran media professional, Fraser spent most of his days employed in the public service, beginning his working life as a student teacher at the Richmond Hill Government School. After teaching at a few other schools, in the 1960s, Fraser found his niche in broadcasting, when he moved to WIBS, the Windward Islands Broadcasting Service, which later became Radio 705. He was News Editor at 705.

After almost 20 years at the radio station, Fraser was transferred to the Government Information Service (GIS) in 1986. Except for a short stint at Her Majesty’s Prisons, where he was posted as a Welfare Officer, Fraser remained at the GIS until his retirement in 1997.

A communicant in good standing at the St George’s Cathedral in Kingstown, Bishop of the Windward Islands C. Leopold Friday said in a release that Fraser’s “great devotion, forthrightness and commitment to serving God and the Church will be greatly missed.

“He gave yeoman service to the Church in this Archdeaconry and Diocese of the Windward Islands as a whole in the field of Journalism and Communication. He was one time PRO of the Diocese and at the time of this death he was editor of the Diocesan online Newsletter “Anglican Outreach”, the release said.

Fraser is survived by his wife Janice, children Nicole, Andrew and Antoinette, other relatives and friends.

His funeral service is expected to be held on Wednesday, July 25 at the St George’s Cathedral in Kingstown.