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First Prime Minister and the federation;s Only Living National Hero Dr Rt. Hon and Rt Excellent Sir Kennedy A Simmonds has issued a statement paying tribute to Businessman and Pioneer Hotelier Colin Pereira who passed away on August 22nd. Periera was a well known hotelier and businessman . In addition he was one of the founding members of the People’s Action Movement.

Below is a statement issued by Sir Simmonds in tribute to Pereira on his passing.

     

My wife Mary joins me in extending deepest sympathy to Lesley Pereira  and her entire family on the passing of Colin Pereira.   I was profoundly saddened by the news of his passing and deeply reflective on the major impact that Colin had on the history of St. Kitts and Nevis.

 

On 20^th December 1964, a massive demonstration was held in Basseterre against the Government’s proposed increase in electricity charges to the small consumer, resulting from the introduction of a new charge for floor space.   The increases had been approved by the Labour Government in Legislative Council on 20^th November 1964.   The four speakers at the rally which followed the demonstration  were Dr. William Herbert, Mr. Richard Caines, Mr. Michael Powell  and Mr. Colin Pereira.   This demonstration provided the impetus for the formation of the Peoples Action Movement.   Mr. Colin Pereira was elected as Assistant Secretary of the Steering Committee  elected to launch the Party and thus he became a founding member.   He served the Peoples Action Movement as Assistant Secretary and Secretary for many years.

 

Colin made a significant contribution to the establishment of the historic PAM/NRP coalition of 1980.   In the wee hours of 19^th February 1980 Colin Pereira took the PAM delegation across to Nevis in his boat the Barracuda through very rough waters, to negotiate the formation of the Coalition which changed the course of our history forever.

 

However it was as an entrepreneur and tourism developer that Colin made his greatest mark in this Country.   He was without doubt the Federation’s  most innovative and creative hotel and restaurant developer.   He converted the family home into the Ocean Terrace Inn, with its stunningly landscaped grounds, and managed it to earn a reputation for outstanding food and service.   He followed that by creating the Fisherman’s Wharf with its unique ambiance, and, as expected in a Colin Pereira creation, excellent food and service.

 

His creativity lives on in his sons who are now making their mark on our tourism development in Reggae Beach and Greg’s Safaris.   Colin has lived a life of service to the people of our Federation as an activist in social causes, an entrepreneur and innovator.  St. Kitts and Nevis owes him a great debt of gratitude.  

 

Colin was also a dear friend and I treasured that friendship.

 

I pray that Lesley , Greg, Gary , Ricky and their families will find comfort in knowing that Colin “fought the great fight” and now his soul is at rest in God’s eternal peace.