Obituary: Owen L. C. Hoarau
20th February 1945 - 12th November 2011 - R.I.P
Owen on the right and his father Chanel
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Owen, the brother of Gerard and the Hoarau family's eldest son, following a long and courageous battle against cancer. Owen, who passed away peacefully in England was surrounded by his wife Alison, his daughters Christina, Charlotte and his only son Claude.
Owen was educated at Seychelles College, where he was a model student. He went on to complete his higher education with distinction in the UK and in Ohio, USA. He became a leading figure in the Seychelles Colonial Government and was made a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. After the illegal and treasonous coup of 1977, he was one of the first to declare opposition against the one party state dictatorship - a brave move in those tumultuous and dark times. He was promptly arrested together with a group of his colleagues, thrown in prison without trial before being declared persona non gratia in his country of birth and finally deported to become one of the first Seychellois political exiles.
Owen went on to follow a successful and distinguished executive career in the field of tourism with some of the largest and most renowned tour of operators in the UK.
He will be remembered as a thorough gentlemen with an abiding sense of honour and who like his brother Gerard, was prepared to lose all in defence of his unbending principles.
by.. Josette Hoarau..