The Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service mourns the loss of former Establishment Secretary Mr. Alpheus Gardiner who sadly passed away on Thursday October 14, 2021.
Mr. Gardiner, a career public servant who dedicated over 40 years of service to the public service and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, joined the public service in 1971 as a Teacher at the Bottle Creek Primary School.
In 1977 he was promoted to the post of Principal of the Bottle Creek Primary School and in 1979 was appointed to the post of Primary School Advisor (Education Officer); a post he held for 3 years before being promoted to the post of Director of Sports in 1982.
In 1992 Mr. Gardiner was promoted to the post of Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health and Social Security; a post he held for 3 years before being assigned to the Ministry of Police and Prisons in 1995; Works and Utilities in 1997; Health and Social Services in 1999; Communication, Tourism, Transport, Immigration, Labour and Civil Aviation in 2001 and Development, Investment and Tourism in the Office of the Chief Minister in 2003.
In 2005 Mr. Gardiner rose to one of the highest ranks in the Turks and Caicos Islands Civil Service when he was appointed to the post of Establishment Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary which held the responsibility for the overall oversight and management of the public service of the Turks and Caicos Islands; a post he held for 2 years before his retirement in 2007.
In-spite of officially retiring from the civil service in 2007, Mr. Gardiner continued to serve the public service and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in various capacities since his retirement, having served as a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and Presiding Justice on the island of North Caicos as well as a former member of: the North Caicos District Administration Board; the Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance; Education Advisory and Tourist Board and the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service Commission, an appointment he recently held until August 2021.
Mr. Gardiner made invaluable contributions during his life to Education, Health, Sports, Tourism and the entire Public Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
He served as a mentor and inspiration to many persons in these islands; helping to create opportunities for employment and to pave the way for persons like myself to hold the positions that we hold today.
In September 2019 he was honored at a special Civil Service Awards Banquet for his outstanding long service and invaluable contributions to the public service of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are grateful to Mr. Gardiner for his service, his hard work, dedication and commitment to these islands.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Mrs. Clara Gardiner, daughters Tissume Williams, Dominique Gardiner and extended family on his passing and pray that his soul will rest in eternal peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time!
Her Excellency Anya Williams
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service of the Turks and Caicos Islands
