Dominica is mourning the loss of one of its most seasoned political figures, Julius Timothy, who passed away on Sunday after battling heart disease for several years.

Timothy, a respected businessman and public servant, was Dominica’s former Minister of Health and most recently served as the country’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Mexico. He had suffered a stroke back in May 2013 and was airlifted to Martinique for treatment.

Armed with an MBA from the University of the West Indies, Timothy first made his mark in the private sector as president of the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce before stepping into politics.

He was one of the founding members of the United Workers’ Party (UWP), serving as Deputy Leader from its inception.

During the UWP administration from 1995 to 2000, Timothy held the powerful portfolio of Minister of Finance, Industry, and Planning and also served as Deputy Prime Minister.

In 2005, following a leadership rift within the UWP, Timothy crossed the floor to the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), where he continued his public service and was later appointed Minister of Health.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across the island’s political and business communities, remembering Timothy as a principled leader, a bridge-builder, and a man who devoted his life to national development.