The funeral service for Rickey Singh, one of the Caribbean’s most esteemed and veteran journalists, will take place on Tuesday, July 16 at The People’s Cathedral in Barbados, his family announced on Monday. Singh will be laid to rest at the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens in Christ Church.
In a heartfelt statement, Singh’s family reflected on his life and legacy, noting: “In the end, Rickey Singh’s life was not only a testament to truth but also to unwavering love, faith, and service.”
Singh passed away in the early hours of July 5 after a prolonged illness, closing the final chapter of a career that spanned over six decades and earned him recognition across the Caribbean for his insightful political commentary and fearless journalism.
“Days and weeks before, he would sometimes say he was talking to his brother Richard or to George Lamming or Harold Hoyte – all who had passed on before. So, in some ways he was preparing everyone for his final story – his farewell story,” the family said.
Tributes have poured in from across the region, with leaders, diplomats, and media colleagues celebrating Singh’s immense contributions to Caribbean journalism.
Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, called Singh “a courageous journalist and a steadfast advocate for Caribbean integration,” noting that his incisive commentary “played a role as vital as that of the region’s political leaders in shaping the discourse on unity, justice, and governance.”
President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, described Singh as “one of the stalwarts of Caribbean journalism” and “a distinguished son of Guyana who was courageous in standing up for press freedom and democracy.” He added that Singh’s writing “enriched regional discourse on matters of importance to the Caribbean.”
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley praised Singh’s regional influence and journalistic integrity:
“Rickey Singh, like many of the media practitioners of his time, had his roots in one nation but his heart and spirit flowed throughout the region like the Caribbean Sea. Whether it was in his native Guyana, Trinidad, or Barbados, which he called home for more than four decades, Rickey’s was a household name.”
Former St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony added that Singh was “a giant of a man, in faith, in act and in belief.”
Born in Guyana, Singh became one of the region’s most respected voices in journalism, contributing to newspapers and media outlets across the Caribbean. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the West Indies (UWI) and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guyana government in 2023.
The Guyana Press Association also issued a statement extending condolences to Singh’s family, friends, and regional media colleagues, acknowledging the immense loss to the Caribbean media landscape.
