Nigel Greaves to be buried Tuesday, July 26, at St George’s Cathedral

Many Vincentians and members of the business community were saddened and in a state of shock this week upon hearing of the sudden death of prominent businessman, Nigel Greaves.

The funeral service for the director of CK Greaves Group of Companies, who died at his Indian Bay home last Sunday, will take place at the St George’s Cathedral on Tuesday, July 26 beginning at 10 am.

Viewing of the body will begin at 9 am.

“…It’s just terrible. Terrible, terrible. I feel it deeply,” Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said of the 63-year-old’s passing.

Gonsalves said “Nigel has been a tower of strength in his family, particularly after his father’s death, CK Greaves, who founded this amazing company and he and his family, including his mom, they have transformed the business and enlarged it”.

He also noted that though the brand is synonymous with supermarkets in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the family is also involved in a number of other businesses including those involving rum distillation and agriculture.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) also issued a release this week, expressing “profound sadness, the death of businessman and friend,Mr Nigel Greaves”.

“He was a leading businessman, who knew the importance of investing in our country and creating opportunities for our people. He was also a very generous person who helped many without seeking praise or recognition for it. Others spoke of it, not Nigel, because he only wanted to help,” the release said.

The political party merits the businessman for being one who dedicated himself to “building bridges to a better future and touched the lives of so many Vincentians” and the release noted that he will be “truly missed”.  

The Rotary Club of St Vincent also extended its condolences to the Greaves family, as well as staff of the CK Greaves Group of Companies.

The service group also remembers Greaves as a community-spirited man and a friend of the Rotary.

The Rotary describes his death as a “tremendous loss to our country”.

“We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him in the execution of some of our annual charitable service projects – in particular, the annual Rotary Christmas Barbecue,” a release said. “Nigel was always ready and willing to serve, often going beyond the call of duty to ensure our projects were a success, especially during Rotary’s response to the recent La Soufriere eruptions and our efforts to assist those who were most in need.”

The CK Greaves Group of Companies includes CK Greaves & Co. Ltd, St Vincent Distillers Ltd and Sunrise Bakery Ltd.

The 63-year-old is reported to have dedicated just over four decades to the family businesses, and took over the reins of the companies, along with his mother Leila, and siblings Ken, Debra, Valerie and Neville after the death of his father, Cecil Kenrick Greaves in 1996.