(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is with deep sadness that the CARICOM Secretariat learnt of the passing of George John, Caribbean journalist extraordinaire.
On reflecting on the life of George John, the Secretariat sees one dedicated to his profession; to his region, to teaching, and most importantly to his family. The devotion to his profession is evident from the more than six decades that he spent pursuing his vocation throughout the region. George John gained due recognition when he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the West Indies in 2002.
His staunch advocacy of Caribbean Integration saw him working in many of our Caribbean Community Member States from as early as the 1960s and until his death. His advocacy and encouragement of regionalism was a key element in what he imparted to his students formally at the Caribbean Institute of Mass Communication, as it was known in his time, and informally to the young journalists at the radio and television stations and newspapers with which he was affiliated throughout his career. He was really a pioneer in the area of the free movement of journalists – a category now granted virtual priority status in this regard by the CARICOM Single Market agreement.
I had the pleasure of knowing George John and admired his professionalism. As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, I express sincere condolences on behalf of the Community, the staff of the CARICOM Secretariat and my own behalf, to Jean his wife, his children and grandchildren. May they be consoled in the knowledge that George led a full life during which he helped “somebody as he passed along”, and more.
