Randolph Russell to get state funeral

The State Funeral for former Parliamentarian and Minister of Government Randolph “Bertie” Russell takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22 at 2 p.m. at the St George’s Cathedral Kingstown.

The body will lie in Parliament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The procession will then leave {{more}}the House of Assembly at 1 p.m. for the church, where the service will commence at 2 p.m. The interment will be at the churchyard.

As a mark of respect for the passing of the late Parliamentarian, all flags on Government buildings are being flown at half mast until October 22.

Russell died on October 10 in Barbados, at the age of 86 years.

He was the elected Member of Parliament for the East Kingstown constituency from 1972 to 1984 and Minister of Health and Community Development from 1974 to 1981. He also held the portfolios of Housing, Local Government, Water and Cooperatives during his tenure.

From 1964, up to the time of his death, he was the chair and managing director of the West India Development Company Ltd, which operated the Russell’s Cinema at Stoney Ground for over 40 years, manufactured ice cream for over 30 years and bottled Cocoa Cola, Fanta and SBC for over 21 years

He was also chair and managing director of first St Vincent Bank (formerly St Vincent Agricultural Credit and Loan Bank Ltd) from 1966 to the time of his death.

This outstanding son of the Vincentian soil was also a hotelier, having purchased, renovated and reopened the Tropic Breeze Hotel and established the Wallilabou Resort Ltd, where the popular movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” was filmed.

At the time of his death, he was also chair of Sentry Insurance Co Ltd.

He is survived by his wife Gwendoline “June” Russell, three sons – Stephen, Dale and Kirk and several grandchildren.