ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Cabinet at its weekly session on Tuesday 22nd November decided that former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Sir James Alphaeus Emanuel “Bags” Thomas, KCN, CMG would be accorded an Official Funeral.

Sir James “Bags” Thomas passed away on November 21 after a short period of illness.

Cabinet expressed its sympathy to the family of Sir James Thomas and noted his sterling service in the public sector and diplomatic field in Antigua and Barbuda. Cabinet also acknowledged his contributions as High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom during which he forged major relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United Kingdom and other European nations.

“Sir James Thomas’ service to Antigua and Barbuda for over twenty years serving in the capacities of High Commissioner to the UK, and Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, UNESCO and CARICOM, contributed significantly to the development of bilateral relations with those countries. He was a consummate professional and distinguished son of Antigua and Barbuda,” noted Prime Minister Spencer, who personally expressed the condolences of his government to Lady Ena Thomas, wife of Sir. James Thomas.

Sir James Thomas who hails from the village of Greenbay was also a former educator, served as the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and the Association of Caribbean States and served for many years as an Executive Member of the Moravian Church. Sir James Thomas also served as Secretary to the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Committee from 1978 to 1980, Chairman of the Industrial Development Board for two years and was also a Director of the Antigua Commercial Bank.

Cabinet has appointed Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Gender Affairs, Dr. the Hon. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro as Chair of the Official Funeral Planning Committee. The Committee, along with Lady Ena Thomas, will hold its first meeting on Friday 25th November.