Jan. 4, 2004 — Flags in the territory will be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Monday, by order of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, in honor of native Virgin Islander and former Sen. Hector Cintron. A memorial service for the multi-term legislator will be held on Monday at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Frederiksted.
"The people of the Virgin Islands have lost a tireless fighter and public servant …," Turnbull said in a release issued today. "He was a strong-minded legislator who was passionate about St. Croix and the future of the Virgin Islands."
Cintron died Dec. 20 at his home on St. Croix at the age of 64. His survivors include a son, Hector Jr.; a daughter; and a brother, Clemente.
He was first elected to the Senate in 1970 as part of the Republican team led by Melvin H. Evans, who campaigned successfully to become the territory's first elected governor. In 1982 Cintron ran unsuccessfully for governor, and in 1984 was elected to his last Senate term. More details of his political career are in the St. Croix Source article, Former Senator Hector Cintron dies.