The Caribbean has lost one of its foremost academics and statesmen.

Vice chancellor emeritus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Sir Alister McIntyre, died  on Saturday in Jamaica. He was 87.

Sir Alister who was born in Grenada, graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with first class honours.

He was a lecturer in economics at the Mona Campus of UWI in Jamaica, which has a building bearing his name. He served as vice chancellor of UWI from 1988 to 1998.

In 1974, he was appointed secretary-general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

He was the recipient of many awards, including the Order of CARICOM, the Order of Merit from Jamaica, Guyana’s Cacique Crown of Honour and the Chancellor’s 50th Anniversary Award.

Sir Alister leaves his wife, Marjorie and children, Arnold, Andrew, Helga and Nicholas