Bertrand Beresford Osborne, OBE, OD
Former Chief Minister of Montserrat
Bertrand Beresford Osborne, OBE was a politician and former Chief Minister from Montserrat.
Early life and education
Bertrand Beresford Osborne was born in 1935.
Career
Osborne served as the territory's Chief Minister from 13 November 1996 to 22 August 1997. His coalition government comprised the Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR), the National Progressive Party (NPP) and an independent. He was a member of the Montserrat Legislative Council for 14 years.
He resigned from his post amid demonstrations over his dealings with the British government in the wake of the island nation being ravaged by a volcano eruption.
Outside of politics, Osborne was instrumental in the setting up of the Credit Union, and was one of the earliest Presidents of the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce. As Director of M.S. Osborne Ltd., he was considerd a model corporate citizen.
He previously served as Montserrat’s Director of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Authority ECCA for many years before assuming the office of Chief Minister.
Honours and awards
In 2001, Osborne was awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for long and distinguished service in the Montserrat Legislative Council; and a recognition for a lifetime of service to the Montserrat community.
In 2014, Osborne was the recipient of the Order of Distinction (OD) in the inaugural National Honours and Awards cermony in Montserrat.
Personal life
Osborne was married to wife Listra and was the father of four sons - Derrick, Nigel, Alan, and Ian.
Death
Osborne died at his residence on 4 September 2018. He was 83. He was accorded an official funeral service by the Government of Montserrat on Saturday, 15 September 2018 at the Montserrat Cultural Centre. A Mass of Thanksgiving was also be held at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Look Out followed by interment at the St. James Anglican Church.
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