For those of you who do not know me, my name is Raphael Hall and I am a Childhood Friend of Dominic Paul. I am standing here today with Mr. Terry Charles, the CEO of the Grenada Red Cross and we are here to represent the Grenada New York Adventist Organization (GNYAO), as well as to represent ourselves and family. Dominic was a member of the GNYAO family, as well as my family, and by extension a member of the Charles family. Dominic’s relationship with GNYAO began in July 2011 when the organization held its first health mission on the island. In 2011 his company, Spice Isle Imaging provided imaging services (Mammograms, Cat scans and MRI) to patients referred by GNYAO for a reduced price. This past July he did the same thing-Spice Isle Imaging provided laboratory and imaging services to GNYAO in the amount of $70,000, and he was considering a proposal to give the organization a 50% discount on those services, in the interest of promoting good health and wellness among our people. I want you to keep in mind that the services are already substantially discounted based on international standards. For example, he charges 50% less for a mammogram than someone without insurance will pay in the United States. He was a smart and thoughtful entrepreneur, who will go down in history as a great patriot and pioneer. He had the foresight to bring to this island state-of-the art imaging and laboratory services that is on par with the services provided in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia and better then the services provided in Russia and Africa. What he did for this country in the area of health care will live on and outlasts generations of his family and he did it all for the love of this nation and his people.
Having said that, let me give you an insight into the life of Dominic, the man-friend, neighbor, colleague, patriot and brother. He was an extremely loyal friend and colleague, a man of his word. He used to say that a man’s word is his bond so he was careful not to make promises he could not keep. He was straight forward but tactful and had a way of making everyone feel at ease in his presence. He had an infectious smile and outgoing personality. He loved life and he loved people but most importantly he loved his family and friends and will always make it his priority to stay in touch with his friends’ colleagues and family. As you might imagine, Dominic received a lot of assistance from friends and colleagues in the process of setting up Spice Isle Imaging-some made phone calls on his behalf, called in favors or gave valuable advice. He never forgot those folks and will always stay in touch to say thank you. I received an email from him at least twice per month and if I took too long to respond he followed up with a phone call.
Dominic loved Grenada. Although he lived, studied and worked in the United States for many years, his heart was always here and he could not wait to come home and set up an imaging center-that he did and did it very well. I remembered a conversation we had in the Brooklyn College Library in 1997. We were both working on our Bachelor’s degree at the time. He fondly called me “Raph”. He said Raph, I think this is it for me. I can’t see myself staying in this concrete jungle for much longer and forgo the good life in Grenada-fresh air, mangoes, fruits and the beaches. He loved the beaches. It is ironic that he died doing something he loved. If he could hear me now he would smile when I said this because he had an on-going love affair with the beach.
I was deeply saddened when I learned about his sudden and tragic passing. I was here with him only 27 days ago. When the news came it sent shock waves of sadness throughout the medical imaging community in New York where he is well known. It also sent shock waves throughout my family. One of my sisters, Elsa, who is very close to Dominic was attending a continuing education nursing seminar in Pennsylvania when she heard the news. She bawled down the hotel so loudly that they had to send hotel security to see what was wrong. She still has not recovered from the news. I keep asking myself why he was taken from us so soon but while travelling here today, I realize that this is a question without an answer so let us not dwell on the loss of our fallen brother. Today let us celebrate his life and remember all the remarkable things he accomplished and how wonderful his life was.
It is incredibly sad that Dominic’s life ended so soon and I cannot put into words how much I will miss him. Dominic was a positive person and would not want us to be sad today. If he were here he would tell us to cheer up, smile and remember all of the great memories we all shared. Even though Dominic may be gone, his memory will live on in all of us forever.
To his family, Father Jerry, Cheryl, Kevin, his wife, children friends, love ones and surviving relatives, on behalf of the GNYAO family, my family and the family of Terry Charles, I express my deepest condolences. I know that you are weeping today and you will continue to weep throughout the night but I assure you that joy will come in the morning, because earth has no sorrow that haven cannot heal. May the Holy Spirit comfort your grieving hearts until we meet this good man again in the hereafter?
And to you old buddy, I will miss you terribly but it was nice knowing you and being a part of your life. Please rest in Peace.
Thank you.
