The Caribbean is mourning the passing of distinguished jurist Sir Lisle Austin Ward, QC.
On Monday morning, Sir Lisle, 85, former Chief Justice of Bermuda, passed away at his home at Springvale, St Andrew, Barbados. His wife Francisca Lady Ward was with him.
Born on November 14, 1935, he attended Harrison College and Middle Temple in London. In 1969, he migrated to Bermuda to pursue his legal career which included private practice, Registrar of the Supreme Court, Solicitor General, Puisne Judge, Justice of Appeal and Chief Justice from 1993 to 2004.
In 1983, Sir Austin entered the roll of Queen’s Counsel and in 2009, was conferred the rank of Knight Bachelor. On occasion, he acted as Deputy Governor and Attorney General of Bermuda.
He also chaired the three-man Commission of Inquiry comprising Sir Elliott Belgrave and retired Anglican priest Canon Andrew Hatch into the 2005 Glendairy Prisons Fire.
The son of Sir Erskine Ward, the former Speaker of the West Indies Federal Parliament, and Rosa Bowen, he was preceded in death by his late brothers Professor Eugene Ward and Dr Tony Ward and late sister Earla Grannum. He is mourned by his wife, daughters Rosa and Désirée, grandchildren, Kyle and Kristen, and wider relatives and friends.
Expressions of condolence were conveyed by relatives, friends and colleagues in Barbados including Sir Philip Greaves, Sir Henry Forde, Sir David Simmons and Sir Elliott Mottley. (PR)
