Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, led a distinguished delegation of presidency officers and diplomats in paying last respects to the late Consul Common of Jamaica to New York, Alsion Marie Roach Wilson, throughout a three-hour celebration of life service on the Group Baptist Church of Englewood, New Jersey, on December 5.
The congregation, stuffed to capability, gathered to honour the legacy of the diplomat, who served Jamaica with distinction and devotion from July 2019 till her passing on November 8, 2025, following a interval of sickness. Mrs. Roach Wilson, aged 62, handed away peacefully at her residence in New York.
In a poignant second in the course of the service, Prime Minister Holness offered the insignia of the Order of Distinction within the rank of Commander (CD) to Mrs. Roach Wilson’s widower, Omar Wilson, symbolising her last salute from the Authorities of Jamaica.
The late Consul Common was conferred with the nationwide honour earlier this yr, in recognition of her excellent contributions to Jamaica’s growth in schooling, know-how, and the strengthening of healthcare capability.
“Alsion can solely be described as a superb steward… a reliable servant of the individuals. She excelled in moments of disaster when management issues most. She was not content material merely to occupy the workplace of Consul Common however sought to rework it and reimagine the position. She grew to become a beloved determine within the diaspora,” Dr. Holness advised mourners, paying tribute to her as a pillar of reliability and dedication.
“She gave greater than she took,” the Prime Minister mirrored, as he famous her intensive charitable work and her unwavering dedication to strengthening the bonds between Jamaica and its diaspora.
“Her passing leaves a profound void in our hearts but additionally a permanent legacy of devotion, patriotism, and excellence that may proceed to encourage all who knew her,” Dr. Holness added.
Accompanying the Prime Minister was Minister of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, who delivered a heartfelt tribute highlighting the transformative affect of Mrs. Wilson’s tenure.
“To say that her tenure was revolutionary is an understatement. CG Wilson has redefined the position. Alsion was all the time in pursuit of excellence,” Minister Johnson Smith acknowledged.
Born in St. Catherine, on February 21, 1963, Mrs. Roach Wilson migrated to america, the place she established herself in a distinguished profession in finance earlier than getting into diplomatic service.
Amongst her many accomplishments, she held senior positions at main companies, together with Vice President and Affiliate Director at Bear Stearns and Director of Finance at Greylock Capital Administration, and was additionally the founding father of The Alsion Roach Group, LLC, in addition to Cyberlock Options, a cybersecurity agency.
As Jamaica’s 11th Consul Common in New York, Mrs. Roach Wilson had accountability for Jamaica’s pursuits throughout 33 US states, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, serving one of many largest and most lively Jamaican diasporas on this planet.
In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched the ‘CG on the Beat” programme, delivering important provides and assist to Jamaican group members who have been unable to entry companies throughout lockdowns.
Amongst Mrs. Roach Wilson’s different notable achievements was spearheading a laptop computer and pill drive that mobilised contributions exceeding US$700,000 to assist Jamaican college students affected by the pandemic.
She additionally revitalised the Jamaica Independence Gala in New York, elevating it into one of many metropolis’s foremost celebrations of nationwide pleasure and philanthropy.
The service of thanksgiving was officiated by the Rev. Lester Taylor, Bishop Dr. Cecil Riley, and Rev. Dr. Richard Griffiths.
A shifting musical tribute was delivered by Grammy Award-winning Reggae artiste and founding member of internationally acclaimed band Morgan Heritage, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, who carried out ‘Folks Like You’, bringing consolation whereas celebrating Mrs. Roach Wilson’s life and legacy.
An eminent gathering attended the thanksgiving service of celebration, amongst them Jamaica’s Ambassador to america, His Excellency Main Common (ret’d) Antony Anderson; United States Congresswoman, Yvette D. Clarke, who delivered a heartfelt tribute; and State Minister within the Ministry of Business, Funding and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright,
Chair of the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) Consular Corps, Jeremiah Hyacinth, additionally paid tribute to the late Consul Common.
Group Relations Officer on the Jamaican Consulate in New York, Christopher Benjamin, delivered remarks on behalf of the employees, honouring Mrs. Roach Wilson’s dedication and repair.
Touching tributes have been provided by her daughter, Vanessa Wilson, and by Mr. Shaune Brown, who spoke on behalf of her widower, Omar Wilson, and her son, Brian Wilson. Their phrases celebrated her life as a loyal spouse, mom, and servant of Jamaica.
Mrs. Roach Wilson can be survived by her second son, Patrick Wilson.
Enterprise leaders from New York’s monetary sector joined members of the Jamaican diplomatic service in america, together with Jamaica’s Everlasting Consultant to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Brian Wallace, and Consul Common in Miami, Oliver Mair – along with honorary consuls, representatives of the Jamaican Embassy and Everlasting Missions to the Group of American States and the UN, and quite a few members of the Jamaican diaspora group.
