Governor de Jongh Expresses Condolences on Death of Ariel Melchior, Jr.

Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. said this weekend he was saddened to learn of the death of Ariel Melchior, Jr., the former publisher of the Virgin Islands Daily News and long-time St. Thomas businessman. Melchior, son for V.I. Daily News co-founder Ariel Melchior, Sr., died Saturday, he was 72.

“The Virgin Islands has lost a giant of a man, a person who contributed much to the island’s history and a person who sat in a unique position to document our rich history,” de Jongh said. Mr. Melchior’s timely newspaper editorials and his weekly column, “One Moment, Please” focused on key issues affecting the way of life in the Virgin Islands and were a source of information and reflection. 

de Jongh said he “saw Junie Melchior just a few weeks ago at a weekly meeting of the Rotary Club where I spoke. We had an opportunity to chat briefly.” The governor described Melchior, who served one term in the V.I. Legislature in the early 1970’s, as an affable person who was fair-minded and who contributed much through his service to various community organizations and who often advocated for the young people of the Virgin Islands. 

The governor said he will always remember Mr. Melchior’s ability to strike a conversation on any topic but “clearly he had a passion for Virgin Islands politics and he instilled in his children, the importance of being in touch with the issues that mattered most to the people of our Territory.”

“Cecile joins me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Melchior’s family. Our prayers are for a merciful judgment and for his eternal rest.”

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