Roseau, Dominica: Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, announced that the government has decided to accord the late Irving Shillingford an official funeral. Irving Shillingford will be laid to rest on February 10, 2023.
During his press conference on Monday, PM Roosevelt Skerrit stated that the government will accord the late Irving Shillingford an official funeral as a mark of honour and respect. Shillingford died on Thursday, January 26. He was 78.
“This morning, I spoke with his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Shillingford, and informed her of a decision by the Government of Dominica to accord the late Irving Shillingford an official funeral,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told a press conference.
“The Government and people of Dominica recognize his exceptional contribution to the development of cricket in Dominica; his many years spent promoting the sport through his involvement in, and leadership of the Cavaliers Cricket Club; and his years of service as a national selector.
“The official funeral is an expression of the high honour and esteem with which the late Irving Shillingford is held by the Government and people of Dominica,” he stated.
Shillingford made his Test debut at age 32 against Pakistan in March 1977, scoring 120 in his second match at Bourda, Guyana. He played four Tests and two ODIs for the West Indies and scored 5,449 runs in 92 first-class matches. He holds the distinction as the only Dominican cricketer to have scored a test century.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described Shillingford as a Dominican hero and pioneer who excelled in the sport and represented the aspirations of many Dominican cricketers, who hoped to make the West Indies Cricket team.
“Many of us still remember the joy he brought to the Dominican people through his accomplishments in the sport and his prowess on the field,” he said.
