EULOGY
ANTHONY FREDERICK JOSEPH
DADDY JOE – DADDY
Our father was born to Floyd Joseph and Fanny Thompson in La Plaine but lived most of his earlier life in Roseau single-handedly by his mother, Fanny (Granny).
Upon leaving the Dominica Grammar School, Frederick Joseph worked as a schoolteacher. He moved on to the police force, the DBGA, the Government printer, and the Cathedral printery under the Rev Fr. Huysmans. From all of this prestigious employment and exposure and pursuing a course in Canada, AFJ formed the Dominica Amalgamated Workers` Union (DAWU), predominantly representing banana workers employed with guest/DBGA and workers of H.H.V Whitchurch and National Bank of Dominica. DAWU continues to represent HHV and NBD to this day. His legacy, therefore, lives on.
AFJ married Dora Joseph (same name) in 1955 and had eleven children, six 6) boys and five (5) girls: Jennifer, Myrtle, Dorothy, Francis, Raphael, Leonard, Raymund, Donald, Geraldine (deceased), Denise and Gerard. There are extended family members too, too numerous to mention, in Dominica, St.Thomas, USA, and the UK.
He served with humility as General Secretary of the Dominica Amalgamated Workers Union (DAWU) for many years and a well-respected Senator in the Dominica House of Assembly from 1980 to 1985. He contested the Roseau North Constituency in 1975 as an Independent Candidate. He also utilized his vast knowledge and experience while serving on several Statutory Boards and other civic organizations.
Mr. Joseph was a member of the Dominica Freedom Party and served on its National Executive Committee for several years. He also held the position in the Party as Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer. He will be remembered for his forthright, gentle and strong disposition for honesty, fairness and justice for the workers he represented and his citizens.
From 1980 to 1984, Joseph served as a senator in Parliament, using this opportunity and platform to continue the fight and struggle for the rights of all women. As stated above, Frederick Joseph was an avid and dedicated member of the Dominica Freedom Party, not just because it was ok to be one, but significantly, as he always articulated where for the following reasons:
1. The honesty and integrity demonstrated by its political leaders, Dame Eugenia Charles
2. For what the party stood for and represented, meaning putting “People before Power….
“People before Politics….
People before Privilege and things…..”
3. Promoting good governance, transparency and accountability in office at all times.
He will greatly miss
My dear Francis
As you would expect my family and I were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of ANTHONY recently.
A true stalwart of the TRADE UNION MOVEMENT in DA we worked together for years in various fields including
the Society of St Vincent de Paul etc.
I have been with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in St Lucia since October 2008 and learnt on one of my
brief visits to the homeland that Anthony had migrated to the States.
He was a true champion of the poor and downtrodden.
Meanwhile do accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your father and our very dear brother and friend.
Ephraim & Greta
Antony Frederick Joseph was a graet inspiration to many, including myself as a young man growing up in public affairs. He was always balanced in his judgements yet did not flinch when making decisions that needed to be made in regard to members of his union and the affairs of Dominica. Sadly, after his departure DAWU declined, showing the significant role that he had played in its foundation and survival. Do not forget that he was a member of the Committee for National Salvation (CNS) at that crucial period of political and constitutional turmoil in 1979. To all his family I extend my heartfelt sympathy and take comfort in the fact that he “played a good innings” to use a cricketing metaphore.
I remember Daddy Joe as a young boy growing up in Roseau. Always respectful and full of humility, as I recall.
As these icons of days gone pass, we fail in replacements for the next generation to look up for guidance and motivation.
You will always be remembered.
I was fortunate to have been tough by both Anthony and his Dora they both were very effected teachers.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my Deepest Condolences to his Family and to the Nation for lost of a Father,Grandfather and a Man of Honesty and Integrity.
May he Rest in Peace.
Anthony Frederick Joseph is a name that commands awesome respect in the social and political of Dominica.
Regardless of party, I grew up knowing that this was a man who genuinely cared for the people he led and remained deeply committed to his family and his faith. The Christian family joins his loved ones and the nation in celebrating a life well-lived. May we endeavor to follow in his footsteps and do good work with abiding respect for our fellow citizens.
May he find rest in the everlasting arms of the Most High.
It is with much sorrow that I heard of the passing on of our Brother Anthony Frederick Joseph. Daddy Joe, as his name denotes was like a father to many. I met him over 35 years ago when he became my mentor in the field of Industrial Relations. I grew with him at DAWU and got to respect him as a person of dedication, he puts his all in everything he attempts. His years as a Trade Unionist on the Local, National and International levels brought much respect to workers.
My condolences to the FAMILY (my extended family). We know his suffering is over and he is finally with his God. May he Rest In Peace.