The late Neilon Franklyn, who served as a Senator in the Upper House of Parliament, will always be remembered as a “model” citizen and one of Grenada’s “brightest young sons,” said MP Peter David, leader of the opposition D Movement.
“What struck me most about Neilon was his spirit: positive, ambitious and full of vision. He reached across divides and built real friendships, natural connections — the kind based on respect and understanding,” David said in a videotape message expressing condolences on Franklyn’s passing.
Franklyn, a customs officer and 2025 St George’s University (SGU) graduate, died last Sunday at the General Hospital. He was 28.
In 2022, Franklyn was appointed to the Senate by the opposition New National Party (NNP). He resigned from the Senate and as a NNP member last year.
David, joining the list of people from politics and other walks of life that have expressed sorrow and shock at Franklyn’s death, said he was more than just a political colleague.
“The news of Neilon’s passing has left me shaken to the core. Neilon was not just a colleague or a bright, young politician; he was a friend, a little brother,” said David, an attorney and MP for the Town of St George.
“In the few short years that I got to know him and, much more so, in the last year-and-a-half, we spent so many hours reasoning together, sharing ideas about the future of our country. He was young in age and wise beyond his years.”
Although he had experienced many life challenges, personally and professionally, Franklyn never gave up, said David. “He always pressed on; always hopeful, always learning, always dreaming,” he added. “Grenada has lost one of its brightest young sons. It is difficult to accept because we all knew Neilon was destined for great things. He had already made his mark, and we believed the best was yet to come.”
Franklyn’s death, according to MP David, passes human understanding.
“We may not understand why this happened, but we do know that his light will continue to inspire us,” said David. “To his family, his friends and to every young person who looked up to him, may we carry forward the hope and the promise that Neilon embodied. Rest well, my brother; you will never be forgotten!”
D Movement
