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Name |
" Richard Op Holder "
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Better Know As |
OP |
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D.O.D |
April 7th 2003 |
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Parish From
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St. Andrew's |
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District |
La Digue
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Place of Death |
Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Service Date |
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Special Info |
RICHARD OP HOLDER was born in La Digue, St. Andrew's, Grenada. After graduating from the St. Andrew's Anglican Secondary School (SAASS), he taught at the Holy Innocent Anglican School, La Digue, St. Andrew's. Holder then migrated to the United States. While in the United States to further his studies, he graduated from Brooklyn College with honors (BA), and Long Island University (MA), specializing in Urban Planning and Trade Unions.
In 1990 Holder was elected the First Vice-President of Local 1-2 of Con Edison affiliated with the AFL-CIO, one of the largest Electric and Gas Union in the United States. As a Union Officer, he helped forged some of the best Contracts in his Union History. No Lay-off clause, full Retirement at age 50 and free Medical. As part of the Union's Political Action Committee, he has gone to Albany, Washington to lobby the Governor, Senators and Assemblypersons.
For the past twenty five years OP has devoted his time to working with several Grenadian Calypsonians. He has worked with and Produced Black Wizard, the 1994 and 2002 Grenada Calypso Monarch. Some of the classic works he has produced are Wizard, 'PURE LYRICS' , 'IN A PARTY MOOD' 'ROAD TO MONARCHY', 'WIZARD 10TH ANNIVERSARY', and just released ' BEAUTIFUL GRENADA', A Patriotic CD by several Grenadian top Artists.
At the time of his death, Holder was the Public Relation Director of the New National Party Support Group New York. A former chairman of the Grenada Independence Committee that has contributed thousands of dollars towards the New Hospital project. As a Delegate of the Grenada Government to the United Nations , he finds
time to attend important General Assembly Sessions.
To his credit, OP Holder has been the recipient of many Awards, including one from his peers, CRACKER RECORDS and Booze Taylor's Spice Islander Promotions. Richard OP Holder leaves behind his Sandra four children, Judy, Cindy, Nigel and Kelene. Seven years old Kelene he just adopted from Grenada.
Those who know Richard OP Holder will not question his love and dedication to the Grenadian, Carriacou & Petite Community in New York, and his patriotism to his homeland. Yes, in his yearly visit to Grenada, he finds time to visit Carriacou, where many of his close friends are from.
Richard OP Holder died on April 7, 2003 in New York, a true son of the Tri-Island State. He will be greatly missed by all. |
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