Former parliamentarian Randolph Russell dies

Former parliamentarian and minister of government Randolph Bertie Russell is dead at the age of 86 years.

The prominent Vincentian died on October 10, in Barbados, where he had gone to seek medical attention, after suffering a stroke at his home at Queen’s Drive.{{more}}

Russell was the elected Member of Parliament for the East Kingstown constituency from 1972 to 1984 and Minister of Health and Community Development from 1974 to 1981. He also held the portfolios of Housing, Local Government, Water and Cooperatives during his tenure.

As Minister of Health, Russell was responsible for the establishment of the Kingstown Medical College, the School of Nursing and Allied Health Services and the Regional Nurse Practitioner Programme.

From 1964, up to the time of his death, he was the chair and managing director of the West India Development Company Ltd, which operated the Russell’s Cinema at Stoney Ground for over 40 years, manufactured ice cream for over 30 years and bottled Cocoa Cola, Fanta and SBC for over 21 years.

He was also chair and managing director of first St Vincent Bank (formerly St Vincent Agricultural Credit and Loan Bank Ltd) from 1966 to the time of his death.

This outstanding son of the Vincentian soil was also a hotelier, having purchased, renovated and reopened the Tropic Breeze Hotel and established the Wallilabou Resort Ltd, where the popular movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” was filmed.

At the time of his death, he was also chair of Sentry Insurance Co Ltd.

He is survived by his wife Gwendoline “June” Russell, three sons – Stephen, Dale and Kirk and several grandchildren.