PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten paused Friday evening to honor one of the island's most influential nation builders as government officials, family members, former political colleagues, regional dignitaries and residents gathered at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Dr. Albert Claudius "Claude" Wathey.
The ceremony celebrated the life and legacy of the man widely regarded as the architect of modern St. Maarten, whose vision transformed a small Caribbean island into one of the region's premier tourism destinations.
Throughout the evening, speakers reflected not only on Dr. Wathey's political accomplishments but also on the personal qualities that shaped his leadership—his discipline, determination, unwavering belief in St. Maarten's potential, and his deep commitment to its people.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten delivered the keynote address, offering a deeply personal reflection on the man affectionately known by many simply as "The Ole Man."
Rather than beginning with politics, she spoke of Dr. Wathey as a grandfather whose lessons started long before his grandchildren understood their significance.
She recalled Sunday morning drives around the island, stories, songs, individual breakfasts prepared for every grandchild, and the unforgettable ritual of taking cod liver oil.
"He was loving, but firm," she said. "He could laugh with you, care for you and still insist on what he believed was best for you."
According to Heyliger-Marten, those same qualities defined his public life.
"Once the Ole Man decided something was necessary for the good of those entrusted to him, he did not take no for an answer—not from his grandchildren, not from government officials, and certainly not from those who believed St. Maarten was too small."
She said the same determination that insisted every grandchild take a spoonful of cod liver oil eventually placed St. Maarten before the world as a recognized tourism destination.
Vision Beyond the Present
Heyliger-Marten described Dr. Wathey as a leader who saw opportunities where others saw limitations.
At a time when many St. Maarteners were leaving the island in search of work elsewhere, he envisioned cruise ships entering Great Bay, aircraft connecting St. Maarten to the world, thriving tourism, and an economy capable of bringing its people home.
She recalled how Dr. Wathey and the late Clem Labega traveled abroad with limited government resources, sometimes sharing a single hotel room while promoting St. Maarten to investors, cruise lines and hotel developers.
Their efforts eventually resulted in hotels, jobs, airport expansion, harbor development and growing opportunities for the island's people.
As Minister of TEATT, Heyliger-Marten said she witnesses Dr. Wathey's legacy every day through every aircraft landing at Princess Juliana International Airport and every cruise ship docking at Port St. Maarten.
"Our greatest resource was—and remains—our people," she said.
Passing Leadership to the Next Generation
A significant portion of Heyliger-Marten's address focused on former Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger, describing how Dr. Wathey began mentoring him while he was still a teenager.
She recounted how, at just 15 years old, Theo was entrusted with traveling to Saba and St. Eustatius to collect political signatures opposing a proposed ten percent crisis tax on the Windward Islands.
Rather than simply preparing him with speeches, she said Dr. Wathey prepared him by giving him real responsibility.
Years later, she said that preparation translated into major infrastructure projects including the expansion of the cruise port, modernization of tourism infrastructure and the development of the Philipsburg Boardwalk.
While acknowledging political differences, Heyliger-Marten argued that history should honestly recognize contributions regardless of party affiliation.
"The Boardwalk is there. The expanded port is there. The roads and public works are there. The record is written into the landscape of St. Maarten," she said.
Call for National Recognition
Looking beyond remembrance, Heyliger-Marten revealed that the Council of Ministers is reflecting on how to permanently recognize Dr. Wathey's contribution by establishing a lasting place in the national calendar dedicated to honoring those who shaped the country's development.
She said remembrance must become more than annual speeches and should serve as an opportunity to pass on the values of vision, sacrifice and public service to future generations.
"The Ole Man's chapter came to an end, but his vision did not," she concluded.
"The torch must be passed because the vision must continue."
Nation Building Must Continue
President of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams echoed many of those themes, urging St. Maarten to return to the principles of nation building that guided Dr. Wathey throughout his political career.
She reminded attendees that Dr. Wathey concentrated first on building a strong economy and institutions before advocating constitutional change.
According to Wescot-Williams, today's challenges—including public finances, education, healthcare, housing, justice and opportunities for young people—should not be viewed separately but as part of the broader work of nation building.
"If this centennial does nothing more than call us back to the work of nation building, then we will have given Dr. Claude Wathey the only tribute truly worthy of him," she said.
Legacy Visible Across the Island
Port St. Maarten Group CEO Alexander Gumbs described Dr. Wathey as the visionary whose foresight laid the foundation for the country's maritime economy.
Speaking at the cruise and cargo facilities that bear Dr. Wathey's name, Gumbs said the port has grown from modest beginnings into one of the busiest cruise destinations in the Caribbean, now welcoming between 1.5 million and two million cruise passengers annually.
He emphasized that the port's success reflects the continuation of Dr. Wathey's vision and urged those who helped shape St. Maarten's history to document their experiences for future generations before those stories are lost.
The evening also featured remarks from regional representatives, former political colleagues and members of the Wathey family, all paying tribute to a man whose influence continues to shape St. Maarten decades after his passing.
One message resonated throughout the ceremony: while Dr. Claude Wathey's life ended years ago, his vision for St. Maarten remains unfinished, and its continuation now rests with future generations.
Regional Recognition and Political Colleagues Pay Tribute
The ceremony also featured a recorded tribute from Glenbert Croes, speaking on behalf of the family of Aruba's late national leader Betico Croes. Drawing parallels between the two Caribbean visionaries, Croes described Dr. Claude Wathey as "a builder of reality where others only saw limitation."
He said that, like his father Betico Croes, Dr. Wathey believed that the destiny of small island nations "must never be outsourced. It must be claimed. It must be built. It must be defended."
Croes noted that while Betico Croes fought for Aruba's identity, dignity and autonomy, Dr. Wathey focused on building St. Maarten through economic empowerment, tourism and global positioning. He argued that recognition of Dr. Wathey's contribution should extend beyond ceremonies.
"There should be a Claude Wathey Day, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a national affirmation of vision, courage, and political and economic self-determination," Croes said.
He also proposed the establishment of a Claude Wathey Museum that would preserve the history of the island's economic development and educate future generations about the leadership and courage that transformed St. Maarten into a regional success story.
"Our fathers opened the path. It is now our duty to expand it," he concluded.
Former Commissioner and veteran trade unionist René Richardson, who worked alongside Dr. Wathey during his years in government, told attendees that speaking about the late leader in only a few minutes was nearly impossible because of the enormous impact he had on St. Maarten.
"I could be here until next year talking about Claude," Richardson remarked, drawing laughter from the audience.
Reflecting on their decades-long association, Richardson recalled that Dr. Wathey was a man driven by empathy and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people of St. Maarten. He spoke of working with Dr. Wathey during the island's formative years and said those who served alongside him witnessed firsthand his determination to develop the country and create opportunities for its people.
Richardson said Dr. Wathey's leadership extended far beyond politics, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the island's development and inspire future generations.