Cayman’s first deputy governor, Donovan Ebanks, died on Sunday morning at the age of 71.
Government officials confirmed Ebanks’ death with a statement of condolences on Sunday afternoon.
Once Cayman’s most senior civil servant, Ebanks retired as deputy governor in 2012.
His public service career spanned several decades, and was recognised in 1994 when the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded him an MBE during her visit to the Cayman Islands.
He joined the Public Works Department in 1975.
“Demonstrating exceptional capability early on, he was promoted to Chief Engineer at the young age of 30. His upward trajectory continued with his subsequent promotions to Deputy Chief Secretary in 1994 and Chief Secretary in 2009,” the government statement noted.
In 2009, following the enactment of the new Constitution which renamed the chief secretary position to deputy governor, Ebanks became the first person to hold that role.
“Throughout his tenure, he spearheaded important initiatives including civil service reform and the establishment of The Commissions Secretariat and the Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) Department.
“His career has been marked by dedicated public service and significant contributions to the governance and development of the Cayman Islands,” the statement continued.
Flags at all government buildings were flown at half-mast on Monday in memory of the former deputy governor.
No date for an official funeral service has yet been announced.
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