Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson
Wednesday, 25 July 1923
Wednesday, 3 October 2001
Philip Goldson was predeceased by his:
Parents: Peter Edward Goldson and Florence Matilda Babb nee Goldson
At the time of his passing, he was survived by his:
Wife: Hadie Jones Goldson(married 28 April 1954)
Life Partner: Emma Boiton
Children: Phillip Jr., Dale, Adrian, Karen-Anne, Ann Margaret and Florence Goldson
Philip S. W. Goldson was laid to rest with a State funeral on October 11, 2001 at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral, where it lay in state from 1:00 p.m. before the funeral services at 2:00 p.m.
The interment took place at the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City.
1949 - Served as the National Organizer of the General Workers’ Union
1950 - Co-founder of the People's United Party
1954 - Appointed to serve on the British Honduras Legislative Assembly
(Quasi-minister for Labour, Housing and Planning, Health, Education and Social Welfare and Community Development)
1955 - Coordinated the building of Corozal Town after the destruction by Hurricane Janet
1956 - Resigned from the People's United Party
1974 - Co-founder of the United Democratic Party
1965 to 1979 - Served as the Area Representative for the Albert Division (National Independence Party)
1979 - 1998 - Served as the Area Representative for the Albert Division (United Democratic Party)
1984 - Appointed Minister of Social Services (UDP Government)
(Establishing the Family Court, the Belize City Urban Department, the Department of Women's Affairs, the District Councils, and the Disabilities Service Division)
1992 - Co-founder of the National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR)
1998 - Retired from electoral politics
Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson died in the United States, where he had been living for medical treatment and family support. His body was flown back to Belize from Miami, Florida, shortly after his passing.
Wednesday, 3 October 2001
Goldson died in Miami, Florida, after a long period of illness and partial blindness.
The Government of Belize immediately announced his death and declared an official period of national mourning.
Flags were flown at half-mast and condolence books were opened at Government House and the National Assembly.
Weekend of 6–7 October 2001
His remains were flown home from Miami aboard a commercial flight.
At the Philip Goldson International Airport (then still officially Belize International Airport but renamed in his honour soon after), his coffin was met by a Belize Defence Force guard of honour and senior government officials.
A brief tarmac ceremony was held before the casket was escorted to a funeral home in Belize City.
The return of his body was treated as a moment of national reverence; the Belize Times described it as “the homecoming of a patriot.”