Garth Saunders to be buried May 23

Garth E. M. Saunders, immediate past chief executive officer of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) will be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 23.

Saunders 63, died on May 14, just six months after he retired from the CWSA, where he had served for 18 years as chief executive officer.

A civil engineer by training, Saunders had also worked at the Ministry of Works, the St Vincent Electricity Services Ltd (VINLEC) and at Coreas Hazells Limited early in his career.

He played key roles in the conceptualization, construction and early operation of the Argyle International Airport (AIA). He served as the first Chairman of the board of directors of the AIA and remained in that capacity for six years. Prior to that appointment, Saunders sat on Cabinet’s Airport Development Advisory Committee for three years, followed by 10 years as a director/civil engineering advisor to the International Airport Development Company (IADC) board of directors during the construction of the airport.

Since his passing, tributes have poured in for the outstanding and dedicated son of the soil who worked for 39 years in the pubic service. Among those paying tribute were the AIA, the CWSA and the SVG Broadcasting Corporation, of which he was a director.

Saunders served as a member of the National Sports Council between 1993 and 2002, becoming Chairman of the Board in 2001 and also as Chairman of the Board of the National Stadium Project for five years, overseeing the site development and final design of what is today the Diamond Athletics Track.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, the CWSA said: “… Mr. Saunders has left behind the legacy of one who was committed to public service and a high standard of performance excellence. We will seek to carry on this legacy at the CWSA as we work diligently every day to continue to provide high-quality water, sewerage, and solid waste services to the people of SVG in an efficient and affordable manner. May he find peace in the place of eternal rest.”

Saunders is survived by his widow Simone (nee Durrant), sons Aaron and Shaun, brother Wendell and sister Michele (Claverly).

His funeral service will take place on Tuesday, May 23 at the Kingstown Methodist Church.

SEARCHLIGHT will publish a special feature in honour of Garth E. M. Saunders in our edition of Friday, May 26. Short tributes for inclusion in the feature are welcomed from members of the public. They may be emailed to editor@searchlight.vc