Saint Lucia is mourning the loss of one of its most influential business and public figures, Everistus Jn Marie, who died today at the age of 67 following a prolonged illness.
A pioneering entrepreneur and Managing Director of Jn Marie & Sons Gas Station, Jn Marie built one of the island’s longest-standing petroleum businesses while earning widespread respect for his integrity, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to national development.
His influence extended far beyond the private sector. As President of the Saint Lucia Petroleum Dealers Association, he championed the interests of petroleum retailers and played a key role in shaping discussions within the energy industry.
Jn Marie also left an enduring mark on public service. He served as an Independent Senator before becoming Deputy President of the Senate, where he brought decades of business experience to debates on issues affecting the country’s future.
Over the years, he chaired several of Saint Lucia’s most important institutions, including the Bank of Saint Lucia, the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and the National Insurance Property Development and Management Company (NIPRO), helping to strengthen their governance and strategic direction. Regionally, he also served as a Commissioner of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
Widely regarded as a calm, principled and respected leader, Jn Marie helped shape Saint Lucia’s financial and commercial landscape while mentoring generations of business professionals. His passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the country.
Among the first was Speaker of the House of Assembly Claudius Francis, who described Jn Marie as far more than a distinguished public servant. He said Jn Marie was “more than a cousin twice over, more than a schoolmate at St. Mary’s College, more than a lifelong friend,” remembering him as a trusted confidant, advisor and unwavering source of strength. “Evriste Jn Marie’s life was one of rare breadth and depth, woven into both the intimate fabric of family and the wider tapestry of national service,” Francis said.
He praised Jn Marie’s selfless leadership, saying he led national institutions with wisdom and integrity, placing service above personal recognition. “What made him remarkable was the seamlessness with which he bridged the personal and the public. He could sit with you in quiet conversation, offering advice born of experience and affection, and then step into the national arena, where his voice carried the weight of reason and responsibility,” Francis added.
Calling him a servant-leader whose legacy will endure for generations, Francis concluded: “Farewell, my family and friend. Rest in peace.”
