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Ormiston Arnold “Ken” Boyea, an iconic businessman and former Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was laid to rest on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, following an official funeral.

Boyea, who passed away peacefully at his Prospect home on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025, at the age of 87, was widely celebrated for his significant contributions to business, sports, and politics in the country. Born on December 5, 1937, in Byera Hill, Boyea was the son of St. Clair Boyea and Aletha Gonsalves.

The funeral proceedings began with a public viewing at the temporary Parliament building in Glen, where dignitaries and the public paid their respects. The service, held at the Cathedral of the Assumption, was preceded by tributes and a viewing session. Following the service, Boyea was interred at the Kingstown Cemetery. In his honor, flags across the nation were flown at half-staff.

A graduate of the St. Vincent Grammar School, Boyea pursued higher education in Mechanical Engineering in the United Kingdom, where he also honed his cricket skills. Upon returning home, he held several leadership positions, including Chief Engineer at the Commonwealth Development Corporation (now VINLEC) and Managing Director of the Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC). Under his stewardship, ECGC became one of the most successful businesses in the OECS.

In 1996, Boyea was named the first-ever Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, cementing his legacy as a visionary entrepreneur. He introduced Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) to St. Vincent, operated the renowned Aunt Jobe supermarket, and held a franchise for Radio Shack.

Boyea also represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines in cricket and was a national lawn tennis doubles champion. Despite a brief political career from 1998 to 2001 as an MP for Central Kingstown under the Unity Labour Party (ULP), Boyea’s most enduring legacy remains his entrepreneurial achievements and contributions to private sector development.

Throughout his life, Boyea was lauded for his visionary leadership, passion for quality, and dedication to his community. His passing marks the end of an era for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but his legacy will undoubtedly endure in the annals of the nation’s history.