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Archive -Obituaries

The last farewell of Ogilvy Berlouis |13 April 2018

A large crowd of mourners including President Danny Faure, family and friends paid their last respects to former minister Ogilvy Berlouis during a funeral service held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception yesterday.

Mr Berlouis, who was the fifth child in a family of eight, passed away on April 3, 2018 at the age of 67 after a long battle against cancer.

He served as the Minister of State for Internal Affairs in 1977, after the 5th June coup, at the young age of 26. His job title was altered to Minister of Defence in 1979 and later to Minister of Youth and Defence in 1982.

Also present were former President James Michel, Vice-President Vincent Meriton, ministers, key officers from government and the military and former work colleagues of Mr Berlouis.

In his testimony, Dr Patrick Herminie said that the late Mr Berlouis had learned the hardship of arduous work in a community fraught with squalor, inequality and diseases but despite circumstances he emerged as a young man of steadiness and calm.

“He flirted with the idea of priesthood but preferred to venture into politics to work at putting an end to the inequalities he saw surrounding him,” he said.

He was described as a man of principle with a large-hearted magnanimity, courageous and fearless.

“A teacher, a mentor, an astute pundit with the extraordinary ability to foresee the unfolding course of events, this great attribute of his is probably the catalyst of our friendship,” he said.

Mr Berlouis’ wife, Marise, described him as a very simple, humble, discreet and calm person. Ironically, despite his previous job, he hated fights, conflicts, confrontations and especially drama around him.

“He was a man who laid a lot of importance on discipline, responsibility and hard work. He always said that he had worked hard from a very young age to earn his living and help his mother and family,” Mrs Berlouis said.

She said that although Mr Berlouis has passed away at the young age of 67, he has probably lived and done things which many of us will never get the chance to do.

“Ogilvy has travelled the whole of Africa and most countries of the world. He had so many stories to tell about his travels and encounters and near death misses in war torn countries and old aeroplanes,” she said.

The service, led by Father David Alcindor, also featured artists such as Jean-Marc Volcy, Raymond Clarisse and Antoinette Dodin.

Mr Berlouis’ body was cremated at the Surya memorial hall in a private family ceremony.

 

 

 

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