TRIBUTE TO BERTRAM E. COMMISSIONG QC (BERTOS) By Ruggles Ferguson
March 6, 2022
TRIBUTE TO BERTRAM E. COMMISSIONG QC (BERTOS) * - Ruggles Ferguson
Our dear colleague, BERTRAM E. COMMISSIONG QC passed away on Monday 8th March 2021, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the age of 90 after ailing for a few months.
Bert was still very much lively and up and about within the last year. He was a former Vice President of the OECS Bar Association with whom I enjoyed a close, personal and professional relationship.
He was consistent in OECS bar meetings, particularly between 1998, when I first met him and 2013. He was one of the elders, always ready to lend support and give guidance. He was able to relate comfortably with all age groups.
Apart from the SVG Bar, Bert was once an active member of both the Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago Bar Associations.
First admitted to practice in Guyana in 1967, he has spent well over 50 years in active practice. In 1993 he was elevated to Queen's Counsel. Before that, he had also lectured for several years at the Hugh Wooding Law School.
Bert was a big supporter of the the annual OECS Law Conference (formerly Law Fair), since it became a prominent and permanent agenda item in 2004.
Bert was passionate about the law, very engaging, and posessed a great sense of humor, with a hearty and infectious laugh.
He was a great storyteller who loved to relate many of his life experiences, especially when he worked in Guyana and represented some of the leading political figures there.
Bert was a sharp thinker who looked at matters with a critical eye. He was many times scathing in his criticisms. Sharp-tongued, he was never afraid to make his views known. He was both gracious and generous, though at times very stubborn and mischievous.
We shall miss you 'Bertos' (a name with which I had affectionately christened him)
Rest In Peace dear brother and colleague!
Ruggles Ferguson
Our dear colleague, BERTRAM E. COMMISSIONG QC passed away on Monday 8th March 2021, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the age of 90 after ailing for a few months.
Bert was still very much lively and up and about within the last year. He was a former Vice President of the OECS Bar Association with whom I enjoyed a close, personal and professional relationship.
He was consistent in OECS bar meetings, particularly between 1998, when I first met him and 2013. He was one of the elders, always ready to lend support and give guidance. He was able to relate comfortably with all age groups.
Apart from the SVG Bar, Bert was once an active member of both the Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago Bar Associations.
First admitted to practice in Guyana in 1967, he has spent well over 50 years in active practice. In 1993 he was elevated to Queen's Counsel. Before that, he had also lectured for several years at the Hugh Wooding Law School.
Bert was a big supporter of the the annual OECS Law Conference (formerly Law Fair), since it became a prominent and permanent agenda item in 2004.
Bert was passionate about the law, very engaging, and posessed a great sense of humor, with a hearty and infectious laugh.
He was a great storyteller who loved to relate many of his life experiences, especially when he worked in Guyana and represented some of the leading political figures there.
Bert was a sharp thinker who looked at matters with a critical eye. He was many times scathing in his criticisms. Sharp-tongued, he was never afraid to make his views known. He was both gracious and generous, though at times very stubborn and mischievous.
We shall miss you 'Bertos' (a name with which I had affectionately christened him)
Rest In Peace dear brother and colleague!
Ruggles Ferguson