Dr Denzil Douglas' Tribute on the retirement of Hon. Joseph W Parry

"Today I would like to wish my excellent friend and associate, the Hon. Joseph Walcott Parry, a blissful retirement. Joseph Parry is one of those unique characters you meet that you spontaneously become friends with. He is an honest and principled person. To be correct, neither time nor space would allow me to do justice to the service that he has made to the socio and economic growth of Nevis, its people, the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, and Caribbean as a whole. Whereas, I am clear in my brain that there is no-one, anyplace, more nationalistic and more dedicated to the development of this nation and its people than Joseph Walcott Parry.

Throughout his extraordinary life, Mr Parry’s aim has always been to assist and uplift people towards better life. He did all of this as a teacher, as a pathfinder in the banking sector in Nevis and as a sportsman extraordinaire. And he did it with passion and zeal, and he did it out of his lovelove for people and nation. It was his affection towards servant-leadership that brought him to the sphere of politics as this would concede him a more significant stage for service and advocacy, and he did ventures for the progression of our people at both the local and Federal stages.

I got to know the youthful Joseph Parry when he was a freshman in the upper forms of the grammar school when I began attending that very school in 1965. He was ideal for younger learners. He was intelligent and involved in sports. In many styles, he was what every lad in school those days aspired to be. In my view, his life got its true course – service to his people at the greatest level where he has been capable of appropriating his academic practice, his far-flung socialization, his people traits and his nationalism to move us all progressive and upward to a more robust dimension of growth and prosperity.

I had the good fortune of serving jointly with the Hon. Joseph Parry and discerning, up-close, the full array of his loyalty and love of people. While he was Premier, the local and Federal governments fancied a refreshingly open, frank and mutually-beneficial connection. I always felt happy joining him on serious matters of state, since he was very knowledgeable and concerned with enhancing the relationship between St Kitts and Nevis. I learnt and profited remarkably from his wisdom and keen insight.

Ours was a connection that was not solely based on politics, but on the opinion that we could achieve so much if we did it unitedly, for the interest of the people we collectively work. I developed relationships and friendships by my bond with him, and for these, I am greater off. I am a little wiser myself for begetting worked with Mr Parry.

After some thirty-two years of a distinguished and fulfilling political career, Mr Parry has given a lasting legacy on which coming generations of leadership within the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) can form. The NRP, therefore, has a solid foundation on which to launch its next generation of leaders and to recalibrate its policies to meet the emerging federal imperatives of their time, such that the people of Nevis and the Federation can be made to live out their true potential as citizens of the international community.

Mr Parry’s life’s performance and mission have elevated so many ordinary people out of the dirt and has helped to produce our people into an era of more significant material and social well-being. His unusual style of involving people and assisting our country has made him a living legend in the souls and minds of the people of Nevis and the Federation as a whole. That Joseph has presented yeoman service over so many years is proof to his unrelenting dedication to enhancing the well-being of people, and of his unceasing belief in what is achievable.

Those who have been privileged to meet the Honourable Joseph Parry and who have worked with him on his exceptional journey have all been guided by their encounters with him. There is one unique experience that reaches out in my mind that speaks extents about Joseph’s integrity, honesty and loyalty as an associate and friend. I recall the means leading up to the opening of the Federal Office on Nevis. I remember reviewing that project with the then Premier of Nevis and the Hon. Joseph Parry in the connection of enhancing the relationship and dialogue among the Federal government and the Nevis community. I progressed with these plans, having been ensured of that primary support. To my surprise, the inauguration of the Federal Office was adopted as a point to trigger Clause 113 of the Constitution of St. Christopher and Nevis. Whereas, notwithstanding the heated debate, the Hon. Joseph Parry persisted straight to his word. His word was his bond. This experience bonded the relationship of friendship among us that has thrived over the years.

The Hon. Joseph Parry has been a pillar of light and positivity on the socio-political scenery of St. Kitts and Nevis during his lifetime of duty. Today, he can say that he has run the race with pride, and he has completed the course with his honour, integrity and dignity still intact.

On behalf of the St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party and the Next-Gen SKN Team of Leaders, as well as on my behalf I want to thank the Honourable Joseph Parry for being the excellent Statesman and role model that he has been. I wish him and his family all God’s most abundant blessings as he positively takes on more comfortable pursuits. I know that Joseph, in real character, will never altogether remove himself from the duty to the right people of Nevis and the Federation as a whole. He will always be a guiding hand and kind voice of reason in the governance functions of St. Kitts and Nevis. I want him to understand that his insights and great perspective will always be honoured in a new NextGen SKN Labour Administration"