By Hon. E.P. Chet Greene
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Tears are a language that God understands. It is a language without grammar, without accent, without pretense. It is the purest dialect of the human soul, spoken in every culture, over the centuries and in every moment of profound loss. So if, in these next few minutes, my eyelids and tear glands conspire against me and betray my composure and should you feel the urge to laugh at me, I will not fault you but rather I will forgive your language skills.
In the interest of time and with all the weight that these words are intended to carry, allow me to extend, on behalf of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and membership of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of our fallen Comrade, Stanley Warner. From the National Parks Authority, where Stanley gave twelve years of dedicated service as a Board Member, I bring heartfelt sympathies. From the ABLP St. Paul’s Branch, his political home, his second family, we celebrate Uncle Abby. From the wider community of St. Paul, which has lost a faithful son, we stand together in love and prayers with his family.
To his mother Perene, who was the center of his world, his loving wife Petronella, to his siblings and offsprings and to his extended family and close friends; we see your pain, we share your tears and we surround you with our love, our prayers and a solemn promise that Stanley will never be forgotten. The ABLP has lost a warrior. The National Parks Authority has lost a dedicated policy maker.
Stanley and I shared many things in common. We came from the same village, swam in the village ponds and Maul Bay. We walked the same dusty roads as boys and sat in the same classrooms where our dreams first took root. We raided every village farm for mangoes, cane, coconuts and any fruit in season. We shared a burning love for sports, whether on the field or in spirited adversarial conversation. We shared an unshakeable commitment to politics and I could go on and on but above all, we shared a devotion to service, service to our people, to our community and to our country. Some may not know but Stanley played basketball and football for Liberta, coached and refereed basketball at community, national and regional levels.
It was in politics however and in our shared commitment to this community of St. Paul, that we spent the majority of our time together. His chairmanship of the party branch mirrors my election as candidate in 2009 elections. From that moment forward, we were joined at the hip in purpose and in labor. Under his leadership as Branch Chairman, we navigated three successful general elections; 2014, 2018 and 2023. My team and I credit him with our fourth electoral victory which took place a mere five days after his passing. Five days. That is how close he was to tasting the full joy of the victory he helped to fashion.
Stanley was the glue that held our branch together. He was mature far beyond his age; a young man with an old soul and a wise mind. His counsel served me well in every season: in times of triumph, in moments of doubt, in the heat of campaigns and even in moments of quiet reflection. He was my go-to person whenever problems arose. I could call him at any hour and he would answer. Never with panic but with clarity. He was a man for all seasons.
When Stanley chaired our branch meetings, he was in complete command of the agenda, the conduct, and the tone of every discussion. He commanded respect without demanding it. At every Party meeting, he listened attentively, absorbed every detail, and offered an analysis as sharp as any strategist I have ever known.
Yet if you met Stanley at a fete, a lime, or a branch gathering, you saw another side of him. The Party animal emerged with ease. His infectious laugh filled every room, his smile eased every tension, and his wit, dances, gestures, and remarks became stories we would recount long after the event had ended. His presence was a gift.
We spent countless hours together throughout the year, in sunshine and rain, by day and by night. Alongside Comrade Conliffe Phillip, we travelled every corner of the St. Paul’s constituency, knocking on doors, listening to concerns, solving problems, and building trust one conversation at a time. Stanley was dependable, trustworthy, and meticulous. No document was left unchecked, no promise left unfulfilled, and no person left unheard. Truthfully, he opened doors when I could not.
I already miss his phone calls. I miss his WhatsApp messages, the check-ins, the reminders, the encouragement, and even the gentle scolding whenever I failed to do things his way. Together with Conliffe, Stanley became the rhythm of my political life.
Stanley loved his mother with a devotion that was truly sacred. No matter how important the occasion, if it conflicted with his self-appointed duty to care for her, everything else waited. Whether it was bringing her food, buying her favourite Kentucky and Coke, or simply spending time with her, he treated that responsibility not as an obligation but as an act of love. Through that example, he taught us all about honour, duty, and what truly matters at the end of the day.
As I sat down to write this tribute, memories came flooding back. I thought about our Carnival Breakfast Fete, Labour Day marches, our Fort James set-up, Saturday afternoon community visits, election campaigns across all seventeen constituencies, community outreach programmes, our children’s summer camps, and those difficult moments when we stood beside grieving families. Stanley was present for every one of them. He showed up. He led from the front.
Since his passing, my Branch and I have reflected deeply on how best to honour his memory and preserve his legacy. After careful discussion and with the full support of his family, we have committed to providing monthly assistance to his mother. It is not a replacement for her son—nothing ever could be—but it is our promise that she will not have to walk this road alone. It is also a reflection of the renewed commitment to strengthening family and community support within St. Paul’s.
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party mourns the loss of one of its finest organisers, strategists, and standard bearers. Stanley was far more than a Branch Chairman; he was a pillar of our Party’s soul. His dedication, integrity, and tireless energy will be remembered, studied, and celebrated for generations.
To his beloved family, I once again extend my deepest condolences, enduring love, and heartfelt prayers. Our community grieves the loss of a treasured son. Our Party bids farewell to a trusted warrior. Our nation has lost a citizen who served without reservation.
Today, however, is not only a day of grief. It is also a celebration of Stanley’s life, his laughter, his leadership, and his extraordinary contribution to our community and our country. Stanley Warner lived with purpose. He served faithfully. He loved deeply.
As we celebrate his life, I close with the words Stanley himself would have wanted us to remember—with that unmistakable smile, joyful spirit, and triumphant declaration he shared after every challenge, every victory, and every moment of togetherness:
“Oh what a joy.”
Rest well, my brother. Rest well, dear Comrade. Until we meet again.
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