The St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) paid homage to the “resilience, strength, and determination” of former Governor-General Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton who died on Thursday, June 29.
The 73-year-old was the fourth Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis, and demitted office in January after serving in the position since 2015.
In a statement, SKNYPA expressed condolences to his family and friends of Sir Tapley.
“The St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of our former Governor-General. We pray that during this difficult time, strength from our Almighty Father may comfort you as you cherish the legacy of an astute, powerful yet inspiring individual,” it said.
SKNYPA also recognized Tapley, who for several decades “served his country valiantly, embodied key principles including respect, fairness and a love for law and justice which served as an inspiration for all.”
“These were principles that he sought always to impart to us as SKNYPArians as well as the wider community. Like many before him, he was an avid supporter of young people finding every opportunity to inspire and advance the development of our nation’s youth, particularly during his tenure in our country’s highest office,” the statement read.
Before becoming Governor-General, Sir Tapley contributed diligently to the growth of SKNYPA, providing support through the provision of legal advice, assistance with legislative drafting, and assessing items proposed for debate at Sittings of the Youth Parliament.
“During discussions and courtesy calls, he vividly recounted his early support to the Association as well as his commendation for the continuous work of SKNYPA. In the early 2000s, Sir Tapley was named an Honorary Member of the SKNYPA, thereafter contributing time and time again to our collective advancement,” the Association said.
Tapley’s dedication as a young Attorney drew him to serve as the country’s first and youngest Attorney General from 1980 to 1995.
“Sir Tapley’s love for youth development could perhaps be said to be rivaled only by his abiding commitment to preserve the historical gems of our islands. His support then for groups like the St. Christopher National Trust in addition to his service on several National Committees, Boards, and companies comes as no surprise given his tenacity for embracing the stories that have shaped our land.”
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