Grenada will begin three days of mourning from Tuesday as a mark of respect to Sir Paul Scoon who died at his home in St Paul’s on 2 September, and will be buried Thursday 19 September at the Dougaldston Cemetery in Gouyave.
Elizabeth Greenidge, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is spearheading the ad hoc committee established to organise and coordinate the Ceremonial State Funeral and Service said that the days of mourning will see all state buildings flying flags at half mast.
“The days of mourning will start on Tuesday and will end on Thursday the day of his funeral. During the period flags at all state buildings will be flown at half mast,” Greenidge said.
Sir Paul Scoon who is from parish of St John, retired as Governor General in 1992 after serving for 14 years as the Head of State. The 78 year old was the brother of Ausbert Scoon and Norma Scoon, and brother-in-Law of three. He was also the stepfather of Terrence McNeilly, Yvonne McNeilly-Arceo, and David McNeilly.
His death announcement said that he was the uncle of 16 including: Dillion Mendes, James Welsh, Michael Church Sr., Andre Church and Joy Church, Grand Uncle of 25, Father-in-law of: 6; His Caretaker, Anastasia Cato. Other relatives and friends include Sgt. Peter Modeste, the Scoon families of Grenada, Trinidad, the USA and the UK, the Church and Cadore families, Sir Carlyle and Lady Glean and family, the Thomas and Roden families of Gouyave, Bishop Sydney Charles, residents of the communities of St. John, Beaulieu and surrounding areas.
Sir Paul was a member of the Forrester’s Court, St. John’s Pride, and all Foresters will assemble at the Garden of Remembrance Funeral Chapel at 4:00 pm on Tuesday 17 September, 2013, to perform the last rites.
On Wednesday 18 September, Sir Paul Scoon’s body will lie in state at the Grenada Trade Centre (the temporary home of Parliament) from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Greenidge said that dignitaries, Government Officials and visiting officials will view the body from 8:00 am to 9:00 am while the public will be allowed from 9:30am until 6:00pm.
“The viewing at St. Peter’s R C Church, Gouyave, St. John on Thursday, will be from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, with the Funeral Service commencing immediately. The first part will be dedicated to tributes and then the service will begin at 1:00 pm,” she said.
Following the funeral, the the band of the Royal Grenada Police Force, accompanied by the various section of the Police Force including the Special Services Unit, the Coast Guard and the Fire Service, as well as the St John’s Ambulance, will lead the process to the burial ground.
The Royal Grenada Police Forcees wish to advise the general public that due to the funeral of retired Governor–General, Sir Paul Scoon on Thursday 19 September 2013, there will be disruption in the normal flow of traffic, in and about the town of Gouyave, and the Dougaldston Cemetary, between the hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
by Linda Straker
