Antigua and Barbuda mourns the loss of Vincent “Tubby” Derrick

A patriotic and hardworking man. A father, brother, friend, leader and former chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP). Those were some of the words used by friends and family to describe the life that was Vincent “Tubby” Derrick.
He passed away suddenly at the Mount St. John Medical Center at 2:30 Monday morning.
Speaking to OBSERVER later that morning, Gillian Derrick, daughter of the late “Tubby” Derrick, said his passing came unexpectedly, albeit peacefully.
She said that her dad took ill last Thursday and she took him to the hospital where his condition worsened.
He was the brother of OBSERVER media founders Winston and Samuel “Fergie” Derrick. Vincent “Tubby” Derrick had a passion for volunteerism and political activism.
He was one of the founding members of the UPP, serving as its first and longest-serving chairperson, from 1993 until 2001.
On the OBSERVER Radio program Voice of the People broadcast yesterday, Dr. Baldwin Spencer, former political leader of the UPP and former Prime Minister, said Antigua and Barbuda has lost a patriotic son.
““Tubby” Derrick was one of those individuals who made significant contributions to Antigua and Barbuda, not only in the field of politics, but in business and in community development,” Spencer said.
Current political leader of the UPP, Harold Lovell, who served as vice-chairman during the chairmanship of “Tubby” Derrick, said the deceased was a patriot who believed in the future of Antigua and Barbuda
“His life was one that believed that we [as a people] can do better and ought to do better. He dedicated his life to making that change. He never had much flair and fanfare; a hard worker and a true patriot of Antigua and Barbuda,” Lovell said.
He was considered to be in good health by those close to him, who therefore regard his passing as untimely.
Vincent “Tubby” Derrick was 85.