Family members, friends, MPs, government officials and members of the public will be able to pay their respects to former chief secretary James Ryan at a lying-in-state ceremony to be held in the House of Parliament on Thursday, 18 June.
The ceremony will commence at 9:30am, with the official public viewing taking place from 10am to 12:30pm.
The lying-in-state will provide an opportunity for those who know him to reflect on the life and legacy of a man who, said officials, devoted much of his career to serving the people of the Cayman Islands.
Ryan passed away at the age of 81 on 19 May. He served as chief secretary – a role now known as deputy governor – from 1994 until his retirement in 2004.
Civil service career
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.
He 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.
A statement from the House of Parliament spoke of Ryan’s “legacy of dedication to public service and commitment to the Cayman Islands that left an enduring mark on the Cayman Islands”.
It said he had served with integrity and dedication throughout his distinguished career, playing a pivotal role in the development of the Cayman Islands’ public administration and governance.
It added, “His leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues, elected representatives, and the wider community.”
Dedication
Speaker of the Parliament Ezzard Miller said, “Mr. Ryan dedicated his life to public service and to the advancement of the Cayman Islands. His leadership, wisdom, and steadfast commitment to the people of these Islands helped shape the public service and institutions that continue to serve our country today.”
He added, “His contributions will not be forgotten, and his legacy will endure for generations to come.”
Members of the public can watch the live broadcast via the Cayman Islands Government YouTube channel, Logic (Channel 23), C3 (Channel 3), and FLOW (Channel 106).
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