Former Governor Charles W. Turnbull. By. GOV'T HOUSE
The body of former USVI Governor Charles W. Turnbull will arrive in the territory on Wednesday, Gov't House has made known.
Mr. Turnbull, who died on Sunday, July 3 while on the U.S. mainland at the age of 87, will return to the territory at the Cyril E. King Airport Wednesday afternoon.
The former governor will receive a state funeral along with accompanying events before and after his burial.
Mr. Turnbull, who was elected governor in 1998 as a Democrat, went on to serve two, four-year terms, beginning his tenure in Jan. 1999.
Prior to holding the top office in the territory, he was a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, commissioner and assistant commissioner V.I. Department of Education, principal and assistant principal of Charlotte Amalie High School, and a teacher in elementary and secondary schools, according to information provided by the National Association of Governors.
Virgin Islands leaders past and present shared condolences upon learning of the former governor's death. Sitting Governor Albert Bryan described Mr. Turnbull as "a true pillar in our community," and said that "no words can overstate the significance of his contributions to our territory."
Former Governor John P. de Jongh, who served for eight years, said, "What I most admired in Governor Turnbull was his embrace and appreciation of history. As the sixth elected Governor of our Territory, he understood and appreciated his role, and he accepted those responsibilities in a respectful manner."
