Dominica will honor former Government Minister Ian Pinard with an official funeral on May 8, 2026, following his sudden death on April 17.
Dominica: The Government of Dominica has announced that it will have an official funeral service at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Point Mitchel for former Government Minister Ian Pinard. The service will take place on Friday, May 8, 2026, with the Government declaring it as a Day of National Mourning and lowering all flags to half-mast in tribute.
According to the press release, public viewing will commence from 2 p.m. and the funeral service will begin one hour later at 3 p.m. The viewing and funeral service will then be followed by a burial service at the Point Mitchel Catholic Cemetery where they will put the deceased to rest.
The Government has acknowledged Ian Pinard’s contribution to public service and national development. In the press release, the Government of Dominica wrote of the deceased’s legacy, mentioning his position as the Parliamentary Representative for the Soufriere Constituency in 2005 and again later in 2014 and as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
Pinard also served as the Minister for Public Works and Ports and held other executive roles at Petro Caribe Dominica and at the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA), where he was the Chief Executive Officer.
His sudden death on April 17, 2026, has taken a toll on the whole country and Dominica is still mourning his loss. At the end of last month, April 30, 2026, his family and friends organised a memorial to honour his life and legacy.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, had attended this memorial service to pay his respects where he shared a few words about former CEO Ian Pinard describing him and his work ethic as passionate, dedicated, committed and an overall “man of action.”
The Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority had also celebrated the life of their CEO on April 25, 2026, wearing red as a symbol of remembrance.
“Though he is no longer with us physically, his presence continues to guide and inspire us every single day. His leadership, kindness, and unwavering dedication have left a lasting mark on all of us,” shared DASPA.