Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has paid tribute to his close friend and trusted confidant, Evaristus Jn Marie, whose recent passing has left what Pierre described as a difficult void in both his personal and professional life.
Reflecting on their relationship, Pierre said Jn Marie was far more than an adviser or colleague. He was someone the Prime Minister trusted to provide candid counsel, challenge his thinking and share ideas.
“Evaristus was my friend, my friend first, my confidant, my advisor, somebody I bounce ideas with, one of my biggest critics, surprising,” Pierre said.
For the Prime Minister, however, it was the mutual trust between the two men that distinguished their relationship.
“But the thing with Evaristus that is very difficult to find is trust. I trusted Evaristus and he trusted me,” Pierre said.
Pierre said Jn Marie’s commitment to Saint Lucia was unwavering, despite the personal attacks and criticism he faced in the public arena.
“Evaristus loved Saint Lucia,” the Prime Minister said. “And all the attacks on him which you must have seen in social media, all the innuendo, just because he loves Saint Lucia and he thought what the government was doing was right, so of course he was personally attacked.”
Pierre attributed those attacks to the political environment, saying, “That’s what happens in Saint Lucia by the opposition, I can say.”
Despite the criticism, Pierre said Jn Marie remained committed to his work and to the country he loved.
“He was chairman of the Bank of Saint Lucia,” Pierre said, pointing to what he described as a strong record during Jn Marie’s tenure.
“During his tenure, the Bank of Saint Lucia made its highest profits. The records will tell you that,” he said. “Ever since he was chairman, the bank had its highest level of profitability, and it’s become the largest financial institution in the OECS.”
Pierre also highlighted Jn Marie’s contribution to the National Insurance Corporation, particularly in relation to pensioners and participation in the national insurance system.
“During his tenure at the NIC, pensioners, the minimum pension was increased to $500,” Pierre said. “During his tenure at the NIC, more people began paying NIC ever in the history of Saint Lucia.”
He said the governance of the institutions under Jn Marie’s leadership was among the strongest the country had seen.
“So the governance of these institutions were at one of the highest levels when Evaristus was chairman,” Pierre said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that replacing someone with whom he had developed such a close relationship would be extremely difficult.
“I’ll miss him, but the reality is his soul will have to rest in peace,” Pierre said. “I’m sure that Evaristus is going to be very difficult for me to replace.”
Pierre also reflected on Jn Marie’s final period of illness, saying that despite his circumstances, he remained hopeful about returning to Saint Lucia and continuing his work.
“I spoke to him on the 24th of July as the last time and we had a conversation for about 28 minutes,” Pierre said. “The 24th of July is the last time I spoke to him, and he was full of hope.”
According to Pierre, Jn Marie was looking forward to returning to Saint Lucia to continue work on a social housing initiative intended to assist low-income families.
“He was thinking about coming back to Saint Lucia because Evaristus was working on a housing, on the social housing project, which he had, which he wanted to deliver social housing to the people of Saint Lucia because we have a housing crisis in Saint Lucia,” Pierre said.
“He was working on a social housing project with me, but God knows best,” he added.
In remembering his friend, Pierre focused not only on Jn Marie’s professional achievements, but also on his character.
“Evaristus was a good soul, a very good soul, a very good soul,” he said.
Pierre said Jn Marie had lived with hope throughout his illness, believing that he would overcome the challenges he faced.
“Because the only good thing in death is that the suffering has ended, but Evaristus lived all the time in hope,” Pierre said.
For the Prime Minister, the loss is therefore both personal and public. Jn Marie leaves behind a record of service in key national institutions, unfinished plans for social housing and, most significantly for Pierre, the absence of a trusted friend whose counsel he valued.
“I trusted Evaristus,” Pierre reiterated. “And that’s what’s difficult to get in my position.”