Long-serving senior civil servant James Ryan has died, the government has announced.
Flags on government buildings were ordered to be flown at half-mast on 20 May after James Ryan, who served as chief secretary – a role now known as deputy governor – from 1994 until retirement in 2004, died on 19 May.
Ryan was 81.
Governor Jane Owen said, “The Cayman Islands has lost a dedicated public servant. Mr. James Ryan gave nearly four decades of his life in service to these islands and his contribution leaves a legacy that will endure for generations.
“On behalf of the people of the Cayman Islands, I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.”
Ryan, born in Cayman Brac, spent almost 40 years in the civil service and was deputy chief secretary from 1992 until he took over the top job in the civil service two years later.
Ryan was responsible for overseeing “significant transformation” of the civil service and was appointed to the Council for the Order of the Cayman Islands and continued to serve in a variety of roles after he retired.
Premier André Ebanks said, “Mr. Ryan’s passing is a heartfelt loss not only for the civil service, but for the Cayman Islands as a whole.
“He was a distinguished son of Cayman Brac who rose to the highest levels of public service and, in doing so, showed what dedication, integrity and commitment to these islands truly looks like.
“On behalf of the Government, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and to the community of Cayman Brac.”
Acting Deputy Governor Eric Bush said Ryan had been “a cornerstone” of the civil service at a pivotal time in Cayman’s history and expressed his condolences to his family.
Bush added, “He led by example, he served with integrity, and he left the public service stronger than he found it.”
Funeral details have still to be announced and the government said flags would again fly at half-mast on the day of the service.
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