Chairman and Dean

As July 2024 draws to a close, sad news comes from home and abroad of the passing of two iconic figures of Saint Lucia: Dr Joseph Edsel Edmonds OBE, ODM, BSc, MSc, PhD and Mr David Samuels, SLMM. I knew them well and was motivated to write this article in their memory.

Dr. Edmonds

Dr. Edmonds was born in Barbados to St. Lucian parents. He received his secondary education at the historic St. Mary’s College, aptly described by Sir Calixte George in his magnum opus as “the Nobel Laureate School of the Caribbean.” It was there that his love for science, especially biology and zoology, emerged. He later attended the University of Puerto Rico, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy, and then Cornell University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Plant Pathology (1963) and a PhD in Nematology (1965).

It was at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in St Augustine that Dr Edmunds developed his reputation as a research scientist by exploring the pathology of various diseases suffered by citrus plants. His expertise in nematology has been widely used in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific. His contributions to agricultural science are so wide and deep that a previously unknown nematode was named “Longidorus edmundsi” in his honor.

We first met in the early 1980s when he was the Director of Research and Development at the Windward Island Banana Growers Association (WINBAN) Research Center in Roseau, St. Lucia. As the Compliance Officer for the National Provident Fund (NPF), I was at the center briefing management on the upcoming transition of the NPF to the NIS. Despite our age difference, Dr. Edmunds and I hit it off immediately. I admired his humility and enjoyed his infectious sense of humor.

Our next interaction took place nearly 15 years later, and the circumstances were very different. Dr. Edmonds had moved from scientist to diplomacy, becoming Saint Lucia’s Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), while I had joined the Ministry of Planning as Permanent Secretary. When we met again in Washington, D.C. in the winter of 1995, Dr. Edmonds had already established an unshakable reputation among his peers as a consummate and effective diplomat. His tenure coincided with a challenging period in global affairs, with fierce wars between Russia and Afghanistan and Iran and Iraq. Authoritarianism remained prevalent in some Latin American countries, and economic stagnation had severe social impacts throughout the region. The Caribbean was grappling with the impact and complications of the U.S. invasion of Grenada and Dole-Chiquita-USA’s attack on the EU’s Windward Islands banana market mechanism. As Saint Lucia and the Western Hemisphere sought diplomatic solutions to these crises, Dr. Edmonds asserted himself as the voice of reason and compromise. Drawing on his background as a scientist, he encouraged his colleagues to always look for the root causes of various challenges and offer practical solutions.

I witnessed Dr. Edmonds’s masterful diplomacy in resolving an incident involving me in the fall of 1995 when I attended the OAS meeting in Washington, D.C. The President of the Development Council asked me to lead a small working group consisting of myself and 3 other delegates from Central, South, and North America. The group was provided with a translator, a rapporteur, and a conference room to conduct its work. At the end of the discussion, I confidently shared the working group’s report at the next plenary meeting of the Council. However, I was shocked to learn that the other members of the working group objected to the draft report that they had already approved. I felt that I had no choice but to no longer attend the meeting, so I returned to the hotel. When I arrived at the hotel, Dr. Edmonds was waiting for me. He said that he had received several calls about the matter and made it clear to all that Saint Lucia would not be attending the meeting again unless the offending countries apologized, which they did. His unwavering support meant a lot to me. Although I believed that I had done the right thing, it was comforting to know that Dr. Edmonds felt aggrieved as I did and supported me.

Dr. Edmonds performed so effectively and impressively as an ambassador that he was embraced by his peers and appointed Chief of Mission for the Caribbean and Deputy Chief of Mission for the Global Diplomatic Corps.

Dr. Edmonds was always warm, humorous, and engaging in both his official and social interactions. He never refused to serve Saint Lucians visiting Washington, D.C. He often invited me to lunch or dinner, either at a restaurant in the city or at his home. Every visitor to his official residence (and later private residence) in Rockville, Maryland, would visit his modest art studio, which housed his eclectic collection of “self-made” artworks. He considered art to be “one of the few freedoms of man,” and further noted that “…in that freedom, human creativity transcends the realities of time, space, and place.” One of his paintings that stood out to me was his interpretation of Dante’s Inferno, which reflected his creative use of ice and acrylic. A collection of his work is on display in various private and public institutions around the world. Dr. Edmonds was also a prolific writer and poet. His impressive library includes two of his own works: “Many Horizons,” a collection of 99 poems; and “The Success Triangle,” which seeks to help young people in the Caribbean maximize their potential and achieve their dreams.

Dr. Edmonds was the first person to introduce me to Transcendental Meditation (TM), which he practices daily, which certainly explains his peaceful disposition and optimistic outlook on life. As a founding member of the Saint Lucia National Trust, he often shared with me articles and information on environmental and development issues. Long after he left his ambassadorial duties, he continued to share with me his compelling ideas on solutions to various new issues and challenges facing Saint Lucia, which I promptly conveyed to the relevant government departments. I believe this practice proves that Dr. Edmonds has much more to offer Saint Lucia and the Caribbean, and I am still saddened by the fact that his services have not been responded to on many occasions.

I was honored to be present for the inauguration of Dr. Edmonds’ son, Anton, as Saint Lucia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States in 2016. This was a historic moment in Saint Lucia’s diplomatic history as it was the first time that both father and son served as Ambassadors to the United States.

Dr. Edmonds is survived by his wife, Lucy, and sons, Anton and Sebastian, to whom I extend my deepest condolences.

David Samuels

I had heard of Dave long before I met him. I knew he was the grandson of J. P Martial, who was married to my Aunt Muriel. Despite this relationship, I do not recall interacting with him at the Martial residence. I knew he was the promoter and MC of the popular St. Lucia Talent Parade (STOP). These shows, usually held at schools in the Castries Basin, provided valuable exposure for talented singers such as Johnny Romiel, TG Fury and Cave Compton, as well as groups such as “The Beatniks” and bands such as the N’Dees. I also knew he was the co-host of the Saturday night radio show “DJ Date” with the sadly deceased Jeff Fedée. This show was highly anticipated in homes across the island as it brought great joy to many St. Lucians, especially my sisters Jean and Veronica. On Saturday nights, the furniture would be removed from our living room so that people could dance to their heart’s content.

Dave and I first met in 1983, at the start of my career as a sports journalist. I had just been elected Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the National Football Union (NFU), in which role I regularly covered NFU events on local radio and wrote a football column in the St. Lucia Voice newspaper. At the time, Dave ran a PR firm whose clients included Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited (WINLEBREW), a major sponsor of a number of NFU competitions. Dave contracted me to produce and present a 15-minute sports magazine show on Radio Saint Lucia called “The Sporting Stag” in association with Stag Beer, produced by WINLEBREW. Inspired by the success of this show, he asked me to produce a longer show called “Mackeson Sports”. In 1985, when I left St. Lucia to study Mass Communications at the University of the West Indies, I suggested that the show be given to Ryan O’Brien. The real-world experience I gained from producing the show has been a huge benefit to my studies, and I am deeply grateful to Dave for that.

Dave was a pioneer in the media industry. His company, Dave Samuels Production (DSP), was the first of its kind to offer a full suite of marketing and promotional services utilizing multimedia platforms. The technical quality of DSP’s products consistently outperformed other companies, largely because Dave worked tirelessly to create and maintain a culture of perfection at DSP. His pursuit of perfection was also reflected in his shows: Coffee with David Samuels and later, The Chairman, both of which featured illuminating and entertaining interviews with notable national figures. His interview with the Honorary Governor General, Ms. Pearlette Louisy, will be fondly remembered not only for its insightful content, but also because it ended with a beautiful dance between host and guest.

The last time I saw Dave was on June 29, 2023, at the inauguration ceremony of the Media Honor Society (MHS) in Saint Lucia. At this event, which commemorated 70 years of broadcasting in Saint Lucia, Dave was one of several pioneers, trailblazers and marathon runners who were honored for their long service, excellence and innovation in the media field. About a decade ago, he was awarded the Saint Lucia Order of Merit (Gold Medal) for his contributions to the media. Nonetheless, he considered the recognition from his peers at the MHS event to be equally significant. Dave looked to be in good health at that event, so I was surprised to learn from his uncle and my cousin Darnell Martial that his health had deteriorated to the point where he had to be hospitalized.

St. Lucia has lost two irreplaceable icons, Dr. Edsel Edmonds and David Samuels. I pray that their souls, and the souls of all the deceased children of St. Lucia, rest in peace in the apparition.