Michael Joseph St. Bernard Sylvester, better known among his friends as "Mike, was born at St. George's on July 28th, 1935 of Cyril (Dr. (Sylvester) and Eva (better known as Mammy) Sylvester.

He was the eighth of twelve children in that marriage. Michael's primary education was at Fletcher's School, then located at the top of Canash Hill.

From there he moved to Presentation College where he distinguished himself as a Latin scholar. His entry into Latin studies is an amusing tale.

While at Fletcher's School, his father sent a note to his Math teacher. The note read: "X please put that boy's nose to the grindstone.

Young Michael, to avoid the grindstone when that teacher turned up at the College, elected to branch off to languages instead of the sciences.

On graduating from Presentation College, Michael migrated to Canada to pursue higher education. He entered the University of Toronto where, in 1960, he obtained the Bachelor Degree in philosophy. Three years later, 1963, he obtained his Law degree.

On his return to Grenada, and after a short spell in the public service, he went into private practice. He was respected as a competent and brilliant advocate, but his aggressive attack on unfair and unjust practices, brought him into conflict with many.

His role in the Nurses Demonstration - the first salvo in the crisis that led to "Bloody Monday and the subsequent Duffus Commission - was well documented.

It was not long before his legal expertise came to the attention of the Law Professors at the University of the West Indies. He was offered and accepted a position as Law Lecturer at that institution's Mona Campus. He also taught courses at the Cave Hill campus.

The 1979 revolution saw Michael migrating to the U.S. During his stay there, he joined the Law Faculty and lectured at Pace University in downtown Manhatten. But that was not his greatest moment in history.

Few Grenadians will ever know the part he played in the nation's return to constitutional and democratic government. His time, energy, commitment and love of this dear land, was spent in his regular trips and invitations to the U.S. Department of Defense, and to the State Department, to discuss and convince officials of the wisdom of saving a small country with a young and fledgling democracy.

He paved the way for the subsequent success of Dame Eugenia Charles' mission. During those days when it was dangerous to talk of saving Grenada, Michael was forced to live on a "fishing boat anchored in one of the bays off Long Island; a security measure. His life was threatened and he was followed on the streets of New York by those who saw him as a threat to the success of their repressive regime.

There are many who speak disparagingly about Michael. They are, however, able to exercise that right today because he placed his life on the line to protect our right of free speech.

Michael was at heart, a decent man, unaffected by anyone's wealth or position. He may, at times, have walked with the tainted, but was never himself infected with their disease.

After a long stint outside of Grenada, Michael's final return did not bring him many friends, or fame and fortune. By then, however, he was beginning to show signs of deterioratinghealth. He sought medical help in the U.S., but it was too late. He passed away at 5.15 p.m. on July 15th, at his home at 3100 Pinetree Drive, Petersburg, Virginia 23803 U.S.A.

Left to mourn the loss are his wife Juliette, five children, Michael John, Valerie Ann, Peter Weisenberg, Lisa Hopkin and Sharon Wade-Paul; three sisters Claudia, Dorothea and Irma,several nephews and nieces.

We, the authors of this tribute, visited with Michael in late May, and, on that occasion, we were warned that it was nearing his twilight.

Yes, Michael has crossedthe final bar, and it is, for him, "Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, . . . . As he embarks, in the hope that he may "see his pilot face to face and be granted peace and eternal rest.