The family of Sir Emile Rudolph Gumbs KB sadly announce his passing at the age of 90, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in The Valley, Anguilla on May 10th, 2018
Emile was born in Basseterre, St. Kitts on March 18th, 1928 to Anguillian parents, Johnson Emile and Inez Beatrice (nee Carty) Gumbs. His parents moved back to Anguilla when Emile was a toddler, and he grew up under the caring watch of the extended household and community of North Hill and also Sandy Ground. With this large family circle of support, Emile developed the ability to relate to everyone, a talent he was to develop and put to good use later in his political life. As a child, he attended Sister Vera’s school in North Hill and then the Grammar Primary School in St. Kitts returning to Anguilla upon his graduation with honours.
As a young man, Emile, like many of his fellow Anguillians, sought work overseas and worked in the oil refinery in Lago Oil, Aruba before signing on to sail on tankers which took him as far south as Lake Maracaibo and north to Jacksonville, Florida. It was onboard the tanker in 1948 where he won his first election, as crew representative.
He eventually returned to Anguilla, and in 1955 began sailing his own trading sloop, the Venus. As Captain of the Venus, he traded between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, St. Kitt’s and his home, Anguilla.
When his grandfather, Captain Arthur Romney Carty’s famous schooner, the Warspite was damaged and sank during Hurricane Donna in 1960, Emile’s determination to save and relaunch her, earned him the command of the beloved Anguilla vessel. As Captain of the Warspite, Emile traded as far afield as Trinidad & the Dominican Republic. The Warspite also carried supplies and men to the lighthouse at Sombrero.
This adventuresome lifestyle unquestionably set the stage for the many stories he entertained us all with over the course of his life.
While stopping in St. Kitts in 1962, Emile met his first wife Janice (nee Bradley). After their marriage in Canada, Emile & Janice moved into the White House in Sandy Ground, Anguilla. Their son, Lawrence was born on May 3, 1965.
Upon the death of his mentor and uncle Elliot Carty, who had been managing the Anguilla Road Salt Company, Emile took over the management of the Salt Company.
In 1967, life got even busier for Emile. Actively involved in Anguilla’s bid for separation from St. Kitts, Emile became fully embroiled in the struggle. He was actively engaged in this Revolutionary Period, and a member of the Peacekeeping Committee, which managed the island’s affairs until elections could be held. He subsequently was very involved in crafting the new relationship between Britain and Anguilla. On August Monday Emile flew to Antigua spending hours representing Anguilla’s case for separation from St. Kitts until it was agreed on no armed forces from the West Indies (Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana, and Jamaica) would take any action against Anguilla.
In the midst of the beginnings of a new Anguilla, he and Janice also celebrated the birth of their daughter, Catherine, on July 22, 1968.
Days later, on July 30th, Anguilla’s held its first general election after breaking away from St. Kitts the year before. Emile won his seat of Road North, for membership of the Anguilla Council, in which he served as Secretary.
In subsequent elections, both during the time of the Anguilla Council and later, after the creation of the Anguilla (Constitution) Order 1976 by her Majesty the Queen, which provided for a Ministerial System of Government, Emile continued to be elected into office.
In the first General Election in 1976, under the new Anguilla Constitution, Emile was one of the first members of the Legislature to be appointed a Minister, with Ronald Webster as Chief Minister. He was assigned the job of Minister of Works, Communications and Tourism.
In February 1977, following a vote of no confidence in the government at that time, Emile was appointed as Anguilla’s second Chief Minister, in which he served until the next election in 1980. In the following election in 1984, he returned to his role as Chief Minister, was re-elected in 1989 and continued to serve in this capacity until his retirement in 1994. Emile has the honour of being Anguilla’s longest running Chief Minister, serving a total of 13 years in this capacity.
Emile was a member of the Legislature for 22 years and was never defeated at the polls. Throughout his career in politics, and especially during his time as Chief Minister, Emile had an unblemished reputation for his honesty and compassion. His ability to discuss the issues with everyone, and anyone, with diplomacy, empathy and his legendary keen wit, were key factors in his success. He was also known for his innate ability in keeping a steady hand on the tiller as he guided Anguilla into her new economic success as a low-key upmarket tourism destination.
Emile was the only person from Anguilla to have been knighted. He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1994 New Years Honours by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
When informed of this upcoming honour of being appointed a Knight Bachelor, Emile made a very special request to the Queen. He asked that she perform the ceremony in Anguilla rather than the standard protocol of England. As he said in his request, “This honor is not really for me, but it’s for all the people of Anguilla.” The Queen kindly granted his request, and accompanied by Prince Philip, visited Anguilla and performed the ceremony here. Sir Emile Gumbs was knighted at the Governor’s Office in March 1994.
As a young man, Emile was noted for his ability in sports. He excelled in running, swimming, cricket, and football. He was also an avid fisherman, sailor. His knowledge of birds was also legendary. His involvement in the support of Anguilla boat racing, and of course, his participation with his own highly competitive boat, Sagaboy, has earned him a place of distinction in Anguilla’s sailing history.
After his retirement from office in 1994, Sir Emile kept himself busy. He continued to provide advice and support in the political arena. He also worked at maintaining his beautiful home in Sandy Ground, which was built by his Grandfather in 1902. Moreover, he remained in active service to his community at large. Sir Emile was an active member of the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society and the Anguilla National Trust. He is fondly remembered by many Anguilla visitors for his guided historical and nature walking tours around the Road Bay Salt Pond, one of his favorite activities after retirement.
Sir Emile will always be remembered for his deep commitment and love of Anguilla and her citizens, his legendary storytelling ability, his famed sense of humor, and his quiet and humble grace. He will be deeply missed.
Sir Emile is survived by his wife Josephine Gumbs (nee DeRoche), son Lawrence Gumbs (Deborah Vos), daughter Catherine (Gareth) Orchard, and step daughter, Maria Smith. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren; Alexander, Christopher, Noah, and Elizabeth. He will also be forever remembered by his numerous cousins, extended family and dear friends.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire care team at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. The professional, compassionate, and wonderful care provided to Sir Emile during his sudden illness was superlative, and the incredible care provided by all the hospital team during this difficult time was deeply appreciated. Special mention also to Hughes Medical Centre and the South Hill Clinic.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club under the auspices of the Anguilla Sailing Association c/o P.O. Box 70, The Valley, Anguilla.
Arrangements are as follows:
Friday May 25th, 2018 has been declared a Public Holiday to allow ALL Anguillians and others the necessary time to attend the funeral service.
Flags will fly at Half Mast from Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 until sundown on the day of the funeral.
An Official Period of Mourning has been declared from Tuesday May 22nd, 2018 to Friday May 25th, 2018.
The body of the late Sir Emile Gumbs will Lie in State at the Court House Building from Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 to Friday May 25th, 2018. (The House of Assembly Chambers was extensively damaged during Hurricane Irma).
A Special Sitting of the House will be convened on Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 at the Court House beginning at 10:30am to provide for the Hon. Members of the House as well as former legislators to view and make tributes.
Viewing of the body by the general public will take place from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 and from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm on Thursday May 24th, 2018.
On Friday, May 25th, 2018, the body of the late Sir Emile Gumbs will leave the Courthouse at 10:30 am enroute to St. Mary’s Anglican Church where the funeral service will take place at 12 Noon. Procession to include Past and Present Legislators, Foreign Dignitaries, Uniformed bodies, family, Members of the public. The procession will be led by the RAPF and Police Band. Casket to be conveyed on a gun carriage.
A Police Guard of Honour will be drawn up at the Church and a contingent of uniformed officers will bear the body in and out of the church and at the graveside. The casket will be draped with the National Flag.
Following the service, the body will be interred at the Bethel Church Methodist cemetery at South Hill.
