Former Nevis Premier Vance Amory succumbs to cancer

Vance Winkworth Amory, the former premier of Nevis and erstwhile opening batsman for the Combined Islands (Windward and Leeward Islands) cricket team in the regional tournament, died on April 2. He was 72.

According to the Associates Times, Amory, also a former Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis, was admitted to a hospital in London, United Kingdom, “where he took his last breath battling cancer.”

Amory served Nevis as premier for two terms – between 1992 and 2006 and between 2013 and 2017, the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) said.

The Barbados-based regional news agency said Amory also served as Minister of Sports in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA).

“The brainchild of Vance Amory was the Concerned Citizens Movement, which he founded in 1987,” CMC said.

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris, said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of Ambassador Vance Amory, my reliable friend, mentor and advisor, illustrious founding member of #TeamUnity.”

Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Shawn K Richards, said: “It was much devastating that I learned earlier today of the sudden passing of former Premier of Nevis, Ambassador Vance Amory.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, childre and extended family,” he said. “I will remember him for the role he played, along with myself as Leader of the People’s Action Movement, PAM, and he as Leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement, CCM, has worked tirelessly with the Leader of the PLP, Dr Timothy Harris, to help fashion a government of national unity.”

Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, said: “Vance Winkworth Amory was an extraordinary man who always worked for the upliftment of Nevis as a sportsman, a politician, an educator and a banker.”

Other regional leaders also paid tribute to Amory.

Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell, said he was “deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of Ambassador Vance Amory, former premier of Nevis.”

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne said that although “the relationships between the two countries always remained close, Premier Vance Amory and I shared a great warm.

“As a matter of fact, I always recognized him as the embodiment of the best of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” he said. “Amory was a resounding cricketer who played for his country and for the Leeward Islands Team.

“He was a politician and statesman who worked for the upliftment of the country and the common good with his well-honed intellect,” Browne added. “As a leader and Government Minister, he always excelled at the portfolios assigned to him.

“Ambassador Vance Amory made substantial contributions to the growth and development of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” he continued.

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley noted the work she had done with Amory, stating that, just one month ago, she had “the honor of meeting with Mr. Amory at the 33rd Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Belize, where he worked and spoke about his interest in advancing the common interest of residents and people of Nevis within the context of a stronger regional family.”

CMC said that Amory started his political career in 1983, when he applied for and successfully secured a position in the Finance Department of the NIA.

He was later promoted to Permanent Secretary in Finance under the premiership of Dr. Simeon Daniel, CMC said.

In September 1986, it said Amory furthered his studies at the University of the Virgin Islands, St Croix campus, and later dedicated his life to the betterment of Nevis.

He resumed his political career in 1987 and formed the Concerned Citizens’ Movement, CMC said, adding that, throughout his time in the political arena, “Amory transformed the face of Nevis.”

CMC said Amory’s accomplishments were many, including that of securing the funds for the construction of the airport – the Vance W. Amory International Airport.

In 2017, CMC said Amory was succeeded by Mark Brantley, who was one of his political partners.

“The former premier showed his trust in Brantley and appointed him as premier of the Nevis Island Administration,” CMC said.