Former Seigneur of St John passes away in California

Wednesday 08 November 2023

The former Seigneur of St John and the island’s Honorary Consul to Rwanda, John Dick, has died in California aged 85, surrounded by loved ones.

Canada-born Mr Dick moved to Jersey in the early 1980s and called St John’s Manor his home until 2020.

He would often open the manor’s beautiful gardens, which raised thousands of pounds for good causes. The manor was also home to an extensive collection of cars, which Mr Dick would warmly display to enthusiasts and the public.

Mr Dick had over 50 years of experience as a Founder, Director and Chairman of public and private companies globally in a variety of industries and business areas, including real estate, automotive, manufacturing, telecommunications, mining and oil exploration, and international shipping.  

As part of his charitable work, Mr Dick spent 12 years as a Board Member of Youth for Christ International, an international faith-based organisation headquartered in Singapore ministering to high school teenagers in over 100 countries, including the USA and Canada.

Since the early 2000s, Mr Dick was heavily involved with helping to rebuild the post-war infrastructure in Rwanda. His work included initiatives to help with medical and hospital services, dairy production, and educational programmes. 

Pictured: Mr Dick often open the beautiful gardens of St John's Manor, raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

He received the National Order of Outstanding Friendship from President Paul Kagame, and was appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador at Large.

In 2004, Mr Dick arranged for Mr Kagame, who remains President of the Central African state, to visit the Island, which began an enduring relationship between the country and Jersey’s most famous export, its hardy and productive breed of cow.

Mr Dick also served as a Director of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Program, a joint venture with the University of California Veterinary School that operates an extensive programme caring for the health and welfare of gorillas in the mountain region connecting Rwanda, Burundi and the Congo.   

In later life, Mr Dick became embroiled in a legal dispute with his daughter, Tanya, and her husband over the alleged theft of family trusts – a claim he vigorously disputed. He also made headlines following a leak of 350,000 pages of documents allegedly found in a squash court at St John's Manor.

Mr Dick was born on 9 January 1938 in Kitchener, Ontario, into the Mennonite faith. He graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois, with degrees in Political Science and Economics, the University of Toronto School of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School.

Longstanding family friend Arlene Maltman, who last saw Mr Dick when he visited the island in August, recalled his "humour" and "sharp wit".

“There was never a dull moment with John," she said. "He truly was one of the most uplifting, interesting and positive men I have known. He captivated all who spent time with him and my thoughts are with Tanya and the whole family at this time.”

Mr Dick is survived by his wife, Mickey LaBarthe Dick, and leaves behind a large family, including grandchildren, to whom Express extends its sympathy.