Barbados’ second Prime Minister John Michael Geoffrey Manningham “Tom” Adams died yesterday. He was 53.
His sudden and untimely death, reportedly of a heart attack, occurred around 2:15 p.m. at his Ilaro Court official residence shortly before he was scheduled to attend a Cabinet meeting.
Mr. Adams was apparently sorting and viewing his extensive stamp collection in his study when he collapsed.
He was found sprawled on the floor, wearing a short pants, by his wife Genevieve when she returned to the residence shortly after 2 p.m. from a visit to Bridgetown.
Mr. Adams was still alive and two medical practitioners, cardiologist, Dr Trevor Hassell and acting Governor General Sir Arnott Cato were summoned.
Attempts Futile
However, on arrival, all attempts to save Mr. Adams’ life proved futile and he succumbed, to the shock and consternation of those present and later the Government, party, people of Barbados and the Caribbean.
The late Prime Minister, as a rule, did not go to his Government Headquarters, Bay Street, offices on Mondays and kept in touch instead with his secretary by telephone. Yesterday morning, he reportedly dictated letters and gave instructions in this accustomed manner.
He was also seen driving out during the early hours and there was no reason for anyone to suspect the grim reaper was lurking so closely behind him.
According to reports, he had a full weekend of activities and reached home around 4 a.m. yesterday after a night out with close friends.
Assembled Cabinet colleagues, awaiting his arrival, were informed of the tragedy just before 2:30 p.m. through a call from Mrs. Adams to her husband’s deputy, Mr. Bernard St. John.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Mr. St. John was sworn in as Barbados’ third Prime Minister by Sir Arnott at Government House.
Mr. Adams will be buried at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Saturday evening with funeral arrangements being handled by Parkinson and Gill, the same establishment which was responsible for his father, the late Sir Grantley, in 1971.
The body was taken from Ilaro Court around 9:45 p.m. and will be prepared today for Saturday’s state funeral, after a week of national mourning.
No details for funeral
No word was available on the details of the funeral; but it is expected the body will lay in state in Parliament, as was Sir Grantley’s, or at the Cathedral.
The funeral directors are scheduled to meet with Dean Harold Crichlow at the Cathedral this morning to select a grave site. Sir Grantley was also interred there.
It was also confirmed last night that no autopsy will be performed on Mr. Adams’ body, contrary to earlier reports to that effect.
By-Election
Mr. Adams represented the constituency of St. Thomas and a by-election will be called within 90 days of whenever the Governor General notifies the Speaker of the House of Assembly that there is a vacancy and the House takes a decision. This is not likely to be done for several days to come.
The death is not expected to upset the leadership structure of the party and Mr. St. John, now leader of Government, is to be confirmed as political leader to take the Barbados Labour Party into the general elections, constitutionally due in 1986.
Mr. Adams and his wife were parents of two sons, Douglas and Rawdon.
Both his mother, Lady Grace and wife were last night in shock and unable to comment on the death.