The person
From his obituary in 2020:
POLITICAL stalwart and pioneer Hon. Hilly Arthur Ewing peacefully passed away earlier this week aged 90.
According to family members the former People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) deputy chief minister was unwell for a prolonged period and died in hospital on Tuesday (May 26).
Ewing, father of the territory’s second elected premier Rufus Ewing and current government minister Goldray Ewing, was hailed as a true son of the soil.
The beloved statesman was often credited for his role in ushering in an era of development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In fact, the government building currently housing the National Insurance Board and Premier’s Office in Providenciales was named in his honour in 2013.
After news of the late Ewing’s passing circulated on social media, tributes and condolences poured in from politicians, admirers and residents across the territory.
Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson on Wednesday lowered the national flag in honour of his memory.
In a brief social media post, she said: "Today the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands mourn the passing of former deputy chief minister Honourable Hilly Ewing.
"The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands today wishes to honour his memory.
"The country’s flag has been lowered at half-mast and will again be lowered on the day he is laid to rest.”
Justin Missick said: "RIP Hon. Hilly Ewing, a pioneer and a legend. Thank you for your legacy and service.
"My sympathy goes out to the entire Ewing clan, my heart and prayers are with you today.”
Melanie Smith called the late politician "a giant of a man”.
"You have served our country with distinction and great pride,” she said. "May Hon. Hilly Ewing’s soul rest in peace. Goodbye Barber Hilly.”
His daughter Althea Ewing said it was a sad day for her and the rest of the family.
"Thank you lord for the life of our 90-year-old legend, rest in peace Dadda.”
Meanwhile Lois Thompson said: "Thank God for the life of Par Hilly that God has allowed him on this side of heaven.
"He has impacted all of our lives, and for this I am grateful to have known and loved such a legend. I will cherish the memories.”
Georgie Penn, a long-time friend of the Ewing family, wrote: "My family and I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Ewing family on the passing of their beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grand and great grandfather the Hon. Hilly Ewing.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered.
"I have known Hon. Ewing since I came to Providenciales in 1990 and from that day we became friends.
"Losing someone we love is nothing easy. We can realise that we are blessed to have been able to share in his life.
"May his kind face remain forever in our image. He retired quietly, the same way he lived in the world of good and righteous.”
James Brown, another family friend, said: "We all loved Hilly, a wise and friendly man with the ability to be truly helpful to all who asked his help.
"He had hundreds of friends and a family he could be very proud of. He has a place in our hearts forever, condolences to the family.”
Hon. Ewing was born on December 11, 1930, in Blue Hills, Providenciales and was well known for his involvement in enhancing the Blue Hills community.
He grew up to become one of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ original political leaders.
In 1977 Ewing was employed by the Government as the country’s first building inspector.
In 1995 he took up a ministerial post where he ran the gamut of influential positions in public office for 15 years. He spent eight of those years as the deputy chief minister.
Ewing retired from the political arena in 2003.
He is survived by his wife Jane Ewing, six sons, seven daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.-
Obituary
The Building
The Hon. Hilly A. Ewing Building was officially dedicated in 2013. It serves as the regional office on Providenciales of the National Insurance Board and Premier’s Office, one of four in the country. It had been unoccupied for several years prior to the repurposing in 2013, formerly housing the Special Investigations and Prosecution Team (SIPT) and the Civil Recovery Programme, who were occupying the premises. The National Insurance is the sole provider of social insurance benefits to persons who are gainfully employed within the Turks and Caicos Islands between the ages of 16 and 65 years. The National Insurance Board (NIB) is a statutory body of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.