PJ Patterson’s tribute to the late Sir Alister McIntyre

The entire Caribbean has lost an intellectual giant whose monumental contribution to the integration movement will forever endure in our collective memory.

Sir Alister McIntyre devoted his entire life in service to the region. He was an outstanding CARICOM Secretary General as we moved from a Free Trade Association into the Caribbean Community. His mastery of the complex technical issues pertaining to trade, finance, and the development agenda provided the backbone for the ACP throughout the Lome negotiations.

As Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD, Sir Alister helped to fashion the economic agenda for the developing world by imaginative schemes such as the Common Fund.

Every government in the region benefited from his economic expertise. We in Jamaica, will remember at this time, that Hon Alister McIntyre was awarded the Order of Merit for the distinguished work he did with the late Mayer Matalon and Pat Rousseau, during the negotiations with the Bauxite Companies.

The University of the West Indies will remain forever in his debt because of the leadership he provided to vastly expand the scope and increased access to tertiary education in this new era of technology.

I feel a very special sense of loss at the sudden departure of a highly revered colleague whose astute advice and generous support were always available within a close and lasting friendship.

My heartfelt condolences to Lady McIntyre, his children and all members of the bereaved family.