On behalf of the members of the Commission for Standards in Public Life, the Human Rights Commission, the Constitutional Commission, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Commissions Secretariat, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the late Pastor Al Ebanks.

The very sad tidings that our beloved Pastor Al had passed on to his eternal reward last Friday evening  brought with it a huge sense of loss and sorrow, a sorrow that is deep and personal to the members of each of our Commissions and the Secretariat.

Pastor Al was the first Chairman of the Cayman Islands Constitutional Commission created by the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009.  He was passionate about educating the Caymanian people about constitutional development and self-determination; he was passionate about creating an atmosphere of good governance; he was passionate about life.

Pastor Al made significant contributions over many years to what became the 2009 Constitution and in particular to the Bill of Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities. Each Commission has been shaped by Pastor Al’s hard work and dedication;each Commission has their own individual sense of gratitude for those contributions.

Chairman of the Commission for Standards in Public Life, Mrs. Karin Thompson describes Pastor Al as “a man of superlatively high standards, complete integrity and boundless enthusiasm for whatever task he took in hand.  No one, whose privilege it was to know him, is likely to forget the candor of his speech, the courage of his faith, the warm and glowing brightness of his friendship.  What he preached, he practiced.  What he believed, he believed with his heart and soul.”

Former Analyst Jason Webster said “It truly was an honour and a privilege to work with such a dedicated and giving man, even as he battled his illness.  I lost a mentor and a role model last week and the Cayman Islands lost one of its greatest community leaders.”

“Pastor Al fought hard for every cause in which he enlisted, and the causes for which he fought were good and right.  He was a splendid man of great intellect and big heart.  The untimely passing of this much loved and loving friend, husband, father, brother and colleague will leave a great void in our lives and his memory will remain in our hearts forever” said Mrs. Thompson.

Pastor Al believed in many things but most of all he believed in the essence and unique qualities of the Caymanian people. He never stopped fighting for our country, for our people; he never stopped believing.

His memory will live on in each of us and in his honour we will continue the work he began long ago.

Deborah Bodden

Manager, Commissions Secretariat