NASSAU, Bahamas -- Final goodbyes were said to the Late Sir Joaquim Claudino Gonsalves-Sabola who dedicated most of his life to the judicial system, during an official funeral service at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Friday, April 16.

He died on Easter Sunday, April 4 after a long illness.

During the sombre ceremony, the life of the retired Chief Justice and former President of the Court of Appeal was celebrated by family and friends, Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham and several Cabinet Ministers and members of the Judiciary.

Also in attendance was newly appointed Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes and Joan Lady Foulkes.

Delivering the homily was Monsignor Preston Moss who hailed Sir Joaquim as a man of ‘excellence’ with high standards.

Known for his love of the English language and as ‘a great writer of letters,’ Monsignor Moss also said Sir Joaquim was the consummate educator.

Among tributes posted in the booklet was one by Prime Minister Ingraham who said Sir Joaquim’s love and respect for the law played a significant role in early initiatives to modernize the laws and practice of law in the country. 

Sir Joaquim was an excellent communicator who influenced a number of reforms and improvements to conditions impacting the Judiciary Prime Minister Ingraham said.

Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett called Sir Joaquim a ‘jurist’ who was not afraid to push the envelope in support of justice.

He added that Sir Joaquim played an important role in the administration of the courts and was also instrumental in the preparation of the present Supreme Court Act and the enactment of the Judges Remunerations and Pensions Act and in particular the amendments made in 1995 which greatly improved the pension benefits of Judges and their spouses.

Leader of the Opposition the Rt Hon Perry G Christie said Sir Joaquim was a man of ‘courtly’ demeanour who was a gentleman of the ‘old school.’ He said Sir Joaquim was a judge whose rulings were always distinguished by scholarship, understanding and a ‘firm grasp’ of the centrality of justice.

Sir Joaquim was born on October 2, l929 in Berbice, British Guiana (Guyana) to the late Augustus George and Mary Isabelle Gonsalves-Sabola. He was the youngest of three siblings. He married the former Sheila Ifill on April 2, l956 and the couple had three daughters, Suzanne Marie Ducille, Kim Camille and Mary Margaret.

Sir Joaquim was called to the English Bar with the Degree of an Utter Barrister of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn in l958.

He returned to Guyana where he commenced private legal practice. During his career, he served in many capacities including Director of Public Prosecutions and Puisne Judge of the High Court in Guyana.

He later served as Chief Justice of The Bahamas between l989 and l995 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in l995. A year later, he commenced a consultancy with the law firm of McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes where he remained until the time of his passing.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters and a host of relatives and friends.