Derek Hodge
Derek Hodge | |
|---|---|
| 6th Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands | |
| In office January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1995 | |
| Governor | Alexander Farrelly |
| Preceded by | Julio Brady |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Mapp |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Derek Hodge October 5, 1941 Frederiksted, United States Virgin Islands |
| Died | May 31, 2011 (aged 69) St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jessica Austin Beatrice Nevis Monique Sibilly |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Rexford and Enid Kettle Hodge[1] |
| Education | Michigan State University (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
Derek M. Hodge (October 5, 1941 – May 31, 2011) was an American Virgin Islander politician and lawyer who served as the
Biography
Early life
Derek Michael Hodge was born on October 5, 1941, on the island of
He was raised in the Crucian town of
Hodge received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1963 from Michigan State University.
As an undergrad at Michigan State, Hodge formed a
Following his graduation from Michigan State in 1963, worked as a teacher at schools in New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including
He earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. in 1971.[2]
Political career
Hodge moved back to Saint Croix in 1972 and joined his brother's law firm, Hodge, Sheen and Finch.[2] He became active in local politics and was elected the St. Croix District Chairman of the Democratic Party in 1974.[2] He remained a lifelong Democrat.[3]
In 1982, Hodge ran for
Hodge attempted a successful political comeback in 1984, when he was elected as a
In 1986, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alexander Farrelly persuaded Hodge to leave the Senate and become his running mate for lieutenant governor in the election.[2] Farrelly and Hodge defeated the Republican Julio Brady and won the election in November 1986.[2] They were sworn in as governor and lieutenant governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands on January 5, 1987. Both were re-elected to a second term in 1990, defeating former Virgin Islands Governor Juan Francisco Luis.[5]
Lt. Governor Hodge and former delegate Ron de Lugo collaborated to obtain $20 million in federal funding for Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Saint Croix.[3] According to Governor John de Jongh, Hodge also worked to restore a good bond rating for the U.S. Virgin Islands government, which allowed $230 million in bonds to become available for the Virgin Islands' Capital Improvement Program.[3] Hodge is also remembered for lobbying for federal emergency funds to rebuild after Hurricane Hugo struck Saint Croix in 1989, devastating the island's buildings and infrastructure.[6]
Governor Farrelly was
Later life
Hodge and his cousin, Kathleen Mackay, opened a private law firm after he left office in 1995.[2] In 2002, Hodge delivered the eulogy for former Governor Alexander Farrelly in Washington D.C.[3]
Derek Michael Hodge died of cancer on May 31, 2011, at the age of 69.[2] He was survived by his first wife, Jessica Margaret Austin Hodge, his second wife, Beatrice Emmy Nieves Hodge, and the last wife, Monique Sibilly-Hodge; two children, Marisol Cohen and Jonathan Hodge; his sister, Coleen Hodge; and three grandchildren, Olivia, Malachi and Hadassah.[2] He was preceded in death by his brother, Winston Anthony Benjamin Hodge, and his parents.[2]
Hodge was
Hodge's funeral was held at St. John's Episcopal Church in
References
- ^ St. Thomas Source:2011/04/05:Enid Vivian Kettle Hodge dies at age 94
- ^ Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived from the originalon October 5, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Morris, Molly (May 31, 2011). "V.I. Community Remembers Derek Hodge". St. Thomas Source. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
- ^ "Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian attends funeral of his cousin former USVI Lt. Governor Derek Hodge". NevisPages. June 16, 2011. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
- ^ Bauer, John (June 5, 2011). "Former Gov. Juan F. Luis Dies at 70". St. Croix Source. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
- ^ Virgin Islands Daily News. Archived from the originalon March 13, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c "A Report on the State of the Islands 1997: Chapter 5 Virgin Islands". United States Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs. 1997. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
- Virgin Islands Daily News. June 8, 2011. Archived from the originalon March 13, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
