BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — Prime Minister David Thompson of Barbados died Saturday following a struggle with pancreatic cancer, the government announced. He was 48.
Thompson, who became prime minister of the Caribbean nation of 270,000 people in January 2008, died before dawn at his private residence in St. Philip, according to a government statement.
Thompson had been ill since March and traveled to New York several times for treatment. He declined to discuss his condition until last month, when his doctor announced that Thompson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
In an address to the nation last month, Thompson said he was reshuffling his Cabinet to pass many of his responsibilities to other ministers. He said he chose to speak by radio instead of going on camera so islanders would focus on his message, not his appearance.
Thompson's deputy, Freundel Stuart, has been acting as prime minister.
Messages of condolence came from other leaders across the Caribbean.
"It is a loss to not only the people of Barbados, but also the people of the Caribbean," said Denzil Douglas, prime minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Thompson, who was trained as a lawyer, led his Democratic Labor Party to victory in 2008 elections, defeating an effort by the Barbados Labor Party to win a fourth consecutive term in government.
He is survived by his wife, Marie-Josephine Mara, and their three daughters.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
Our well loved Prime Minister is now at work around God's Throne. One week before his passing God showed me in a dream his mansion being prepared in the clouds. The most beautiful place ever seen words cannot explain.
Gloria Gloria
November 23, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tina Fenty
November 02, 2010 | Bridgetown
To the Thompson Family;
I wish to convay my deepest sympathy to you and all peoples of Barbados in the passing of the great Prime Minister of our country David Thompson.
Imogene McGeary-Thornhill
November 02, 2010 | Brooklyn, NY
May God fill the family of the late Hon. David Thompson with his love and peace in your time of grief.
Carol Toppin
November 02, 2010
May God comfort you in the time of sorrow.
Cecilia Hunte
November 01, 2010 | Bridgetown
It is with sorrow and deep regret that I learned of the passing of our beloved Prime Minister. May God comfort his family in this time of sorrow!
Geoffrey Lee, J.P., Ph. D
October 31, 2010 | Louisville, KY
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sharon AgardWilliams
October 30, 2010 | Toronto, ON
My condolences to the family of Prime Minister David Thompson.
Cecelia Rosedickinson
October 30, 2010 | Noblesville, IN
Remembered By
stephen knight
October 29, 2010 | Decatur, GA