The community of Anguilla is invited to gather for a candlelight vigil from 5.30pm on Friday, 31 October, to honour the memory of the late John Gajadhar.
The retired nurse, who devoted 31 years to caring for patients across Anguilla, died in a hospital in Trinidad, aged 69, after several weeks of treatment for serious heart complications.
The Anguilla Nurses Association is hosting the memorial walk, which will pass from Drakes and Sons to Princess Alexandra Hospital, to recognise Gajadhar’s decades of service.
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“John faithfully served our profession and community with compassion and dedication,” the association said in a statement on 28 October.
“This vigil is an opportunity for us to come together, remember his contributions, support one another in this moment of loss, and reflect on the values of care and service he embodied.”
Limited candles will be provided, so attendees are invited to bring their own, the association said.
“Let us gather, stand in solidarity, share a moment of silence and light, and honour his legacy. Your presence would mean a great deal to his family, to the nursing community and to the island we serve.”
Gajadhar trained in Guyana and brought his expertise in anaesthesia and emergency care to the Cottage Hospital in July 1990.
He made history as Anguilla’s first nurse anaesthetist and only male nurse on the island.
In November 1993, he led the transition to Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he revolutionised the accident and emergency department.
“Known for his calm presence, extensive training, and unmatched dedication, patients often returned just to be seen by him,” the Anguilla Nurses Association said earlier this year.
“Whether managing trauma cases or serving as a mentor, Mr Gajadhar’s impact is legendary. A true professional and community favourite, his legacy is one of clinical excellence and human warmth.”
Gajadhar retired from the profession on 14 June, 2021, and on 31 May this year was inducted into the Anguilla’s Nursing Hall of Fame at the national Nursing Recognition Ceremony.
Leaders from both sides of the political divide offered their condolences and paid tribute to Gajadhar’s decades of service.
In a recorded message on 27 October, health minister Cardigan Connor, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health and government, said he was “deeply saddened”.
“He was a dedicated healthcare professional who selflessly served the community for many years. His tireless efforts and compassionate care has left an indelible mark on those whose lives he touched,” he said.
“As we mourn his loss, we take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the care he provided.
“May his family find strength and solace in the memories of his dedication and service. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Opposition leader Ellis Webster wrote a tribute to Gajadhar on 23 October, describing him as “a father, a healer, and a trailblazer in Anguilla’s healthcare”.
“His steady hands, calm voice, and unwavering professionalism comforted patients in their most vulnerable moments,” he said.
“To walk into the Emergency Room and see Nurse John was to feel safe, to know that help had arrived.”
Webster said that beyond the scrubs and stethoscope, there was something even greater – his heart.
“Nurse John did not just treat ailments; he treated people. Every patient was met with kindness, every colleague with respect, and every young nurse with mentorship and encouragement.”
The opposition leader said Gajadhar was a father figure to many, and his story is one of courage, commitment and community.
“He stood tall in his profession, broke barriers and elevated the standards of care in Anguilla,” he said.
“His induction into Anguilla’s Nursing Hall of Fame in May 2025 was a fitting recognition of a man whose career redefined what dedication to service looks like.”
