Cayman’s ‘Ivan’ governor dies aged 75

| 01/04/2021 | 19 Comments
Cayman News Service
Bruce Dinwiddy

(CNS): Bruce Dinwiddy (1946-2021), who served as the Cayman Islands Governor from May 2002 until October 2005, has died in the UK. Dinwiddy was in office when the islands were struck by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and was instrumental in leading the recovery. He had been appointed to serve in these islands after almost three decades with the Foreign Office. No information has been shared by his family or other sources about the former governor’s cause of death.

In a statement about his passing Thursday, Alden Mclaughlin, the outgoing premier who was an opposition MLA when Dinwiddy was first appointed, said “his compassion, humility and commitment to serving the Cayman Islands will never be forgotten”.

After he left the jurisdiction and retired from the foreign service, Dinwiddy continued to be a friend of the Cayman Islands, making several return trips. He was a staunch advocate for the environment and played a key role in the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum.

“He also worked to support the Cayman Islands Government Office in London as an active member of the Friends of the Cayman Islands,” McLaughlin said. “On behalf of the government and people of the Cayman Islands, I offer deepest condolences to his wife Emma and extended family. To mark his passing the Cayman Islands flag will fly at half mast alongside the Union Jack on all government buildings from the remainder of today and all day on Tuesday, 6 April.”

Meanwhile, the current governor, Martyn Roper, said he was saddened to hear about Dinwiddy’s passing. In addition to his work in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, he also did much to develop the UK/Cayman partnership, particularly on preparation for future natural disasters, Roper said.

“I know from discussions with many people across our Islands that he is fondly remembered for his kindness and affection for these Islands,” the governor said. “He will be greatly missed. I am sure I speak for everyone on our Islands in expressing deepest condolences to Governor Dinwiddy’s wife Emma, his family and friends at this sad time.”

André Ebanks, the former representative for Cayman in London and now political candidate, posted on social media about the governor’s passing, saying he was sad to hear the news.

“I have always greatly admired him, both as governor following Hurricane Ivan and as I came know him personally where we developed a fondness for each other during my time as the Cayman Islands Representative to the UK,” he said. “On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to former Governor Dinwiddy’s family and loved ones.”


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Comments (19)

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  1. MR says:

    RIP Governor Dinwiddy

  2. Hurricane Ivan survivor says:

    Oh how our memory fails us 9th of September 2004 Hurricane winds 150 mph gust 220 mph HMS Richmond too exhausted after Grenada a couple tarps salt tablets Helicopter picks up occupants of the Westin Resort flies overhead to offshore. looters onshore having their way place descends into mayhem and chaos A check is made on all white EU citizens passport holders ! yes Alden and Andre we remember. Rest In Peace Governor Dinwiddy and my condolences to your wife Emma and family we know it was not you who failed us Sir you did your very best under the circumstances! You at least understood that preservation of our environment mitigated a lot of further damage to this island unlike some who have come after you! Who just don’t get it !

    • Anonymous says:

      A rather unpleasant post, 8:12am, but also somewhat inaccurate in its efforts to hit at Alden. Mckeeva was the man in charge at the time, not Alden.

      • Anonymous says:

        9:53 am, Alden was in charge from september when the hurricane hit until may the next year, get your facts, ok

        • Anonymous says:

          Sorry, bobo @9:53, but I got my facts. I think if you check the records you will find that Mac’s government was in power until May 2005 when the PPM with Kurt as leader took over. Check McKeeva’s entry in Wikipedia if you still can’t remember back to those dark days.

        • Anonymous says:

          Um….No

        • Anonymous says:

          I think you have lost your mind. You are so blinded by your hate and your political bias that you cannot be bothered anymore to accept that you are wrong. You’ve now moved on to just continue lying through your teeth! Honestly hope that you and the likes of you dont get anywhere near power if this is how you behave!

      • Anonymous says:

        U must be a foruiner! Get it? lol! But thats u…

    • Anonymous says:

      “Looters onshore/ mayhem/chaos”. You forgot to mention that the recently appointed first Caymanian Chief of Police was nowhere to be found after Ivan and in fact had to be retired eventually on massively inflated financial terms rather than be disciplined for dereliction of duty. That’s how we do it here. What pissed me off as a Caymanian was that his uselessness allowed an Englishman, now working for Dart, to step in and take control, thus “proving” we can’t handle our own affairs.

      • Fact Checker says:

        Derek Haines no longer works for Dart and runs his own company here in the Cayman Islands – Haines Disaster Consultancy.

    • Anonymous says:

      A very classy comment by any measure…go get some fresh air.

  3. Anonymous says:

    He served us well and was a gentle man. May his family take comfort in that he is now at rest.

  4. Richard Wadd says:

    We tend to forget that no matter one’s status in life, we are all human. The true measure of a man is that he has strived to do right, Sadly, history is far kinder to tyrants than patriots.
    R.I.P.
    ps. CNS, 1946-2021 is 75 years.

    CNS: Thanks. A correction has been made.

  5. Anonymous says:

    May his soul rip

  6. Anonymous says:

    Good men are not always great
    And great men are not always good

    But i can say with honesty in my years of knowing him, he was both.

    I can only hope that in his passing he has received the peace he deserved.

  7. Anonymous says:

    He was a great man. A humble servant of the people with a wonderful sense of humour. May he rest in peace.

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