Word has reached this media house that former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Earl Sydney Morris, who once represented the people of Constituency Number Seven, which later became Number Eight, in the National Assembly, died early Wednesday morning, after a period of illness.
Morris, who was born on 25th November, 1934, was elected to parliament as a candidate for the People’s Action Movement, (PAM), during the February, 18th, 1980 General Elections, defeating Mr. Clarence Fitzroy Bryant of the Labour Party. Amongst those districts represented by Morris were Cayon, St. Peters, Conaree, Keys.
He served in parliament until July 3, 1995, after being defeated by Mr. Cedric Liburd of Labour.
During his tenure as a Minister of Government, Morris held various ministerial portfolios, including Education, Health, Community Affairs, Communications, Works, and Public Utilities.
He reached the pinnacle of his political career on 1st April, 1992, when he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the Dr. Kennedy Simmonds Administration, following the dismissal from Cabinet of Michael Powell, who had occupied the Deputy PM/Premier position, since PAM was first elected to office in a coalition Government in 1980.
Morris is said to have summarized his political service as a positive and meaningful experience, “I enjoyed my sojourn in active politics and know that I have made a positive contribution. I remember fondly my contributions in the negotiations for the funding for the reconstruction of the JNF General Hospital, the Dr. Kennedy Simmonds Highway, Port Zante Development and the first phase of the Eastern By-Pass Road (now Kim Collins Highway).
“The construction of 2 and 3 bedroom homes for low and middle income workers was a major accomplishment that has made me proud to serve my nation and its people,” Morris is known to have said while reflecting on his years in office.
During the past year, Mr. Morris’ health is said to have worsened, with him having to be hospitalized and eventually placed in a specialized facility, known as the Grange Nursing Home & Health Care Facility, located in Ottley’s, in the northern part of the island.
He was born in Upper Cayon, St. Mary’s Parish, St. Kitts-Nevis to Ms. Gwendolyn Euphemia Charles and Mr. Ira Shefton Morris, both from Cayon.