Attorney General Charles Ramson yesterday expressed profound sadness at the news of his passing, while describing him as “undoubtedly one of Guyana’s most distinguished sons.” He also noted the great service he had given to the judiciary both at home and in Bahamas.
Sir Gonsalves-Sabola, also a retired Chief Justice, had been hospitalised for a brief period before he died.
In a statement yesterday, Ramson said that Sir Joaquim was a jurist of the greatest eminence and served in Guyana with distinction as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), High Court Judge, Solicitor-General, and Justice of Appeal. “This great jurist brought to bear dignity and refinement in his approach to the law; he was of a quiet disposition, always ready to extend a helpful word whether on or off the Bench-a humanist, if ever there was one-and, by dint of his erudition, attained the highest judicial office the Caribbean can offer,” the statement said. His urbanity was described as matchless and worthy of emulation by all persons who aspire to judicial office and other public positions.
Ramson noted that Sir Joaquim left Guyana in 1984 to take up a judicial appointment in the Bahamas but, “as was expected,” he went on to become a Justice of Appeal, Chief Justice and received a knighthood prior to becoming President of the Court of Appeal of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. “Guyana’s loss was the Bahamas’ gain,” the statement said.
When the legal annals are recorded, he will rank with the best of his predecessors and peers as will be manifest from his pursuit and development of a Caribbean jurisprudence. Indeed, his Judgments were not only illuminating but could be read and appreciated by most in view of their lucidity, simplicity and cogency, the statement also said.
Ramson, on behalf of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Law Officers and himself, expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family, especially Lady Gonsalves-Sabola and daughters, Suzanne, Camille and Margaret.
