AUGUSTUS JUSTIN, CHAMPION OF THE ELDERLY

AUGUSTUS JUSTIN affectionately known as “Gus” was born in St. Lucia on May 19,

1933 and was educated at the St. Aloysius R.C. Boys’ School. In 1958, Mr. Justin

migrated like so many St. Lucians, to the United Kingdom where he worked and

studied Lithography. In 1967, he returned to St. Lucia and introduce the very first

offset printing service to St. Lucia and started the Lithographic Press which is a well

known and successful printing house in Castries.

            Gus’s concern for the poor and underprivileged of our society came to the

fore soon after his return to St. Lucia, when he became involved with the care and

upkeep of an elderly lady named Felicite. He developed a very close relationship

with her and it is said that he looked upon her as a mother. Felicite incidentally,

became one of the first residents of Adelaide’s Home. This act of concern was

followed by the donation of a wheel chair and the renovation to the home of a

cripple at Grande Ravine Dennery.

            His concern for the needy was further heightened by frequent visits to the

then Malgretoute Home for the Poor in Soufriere.  The plight of the residents there

strengthened his resolve to do something for persons who through age and

economic circumstances were unable to provide for themselves.

            In 1985, using his personal savings, he purchased a house in Sans Souci

and provided furniture and amenities. This was the beginning of the Adelaide’s

Home, a home named in memory of his deceased mother, whom he credits for the

spiritual inspiration for this venture. With a committee of seven and help from a few

friends and well wishers, he ran this home for many years prior to receiving any

governmental assistance. The success of this institution over the years seemed to

have awakened the consciousness of people island wide and served as further

encouragement to Gus.  

This led to his opening a second home on June 14, 1990, the Frances

Memorial Home named in memory of his eldest sister Frances Edwin Justin.

            On January 1994, Mr. Justin acquired the adjacent property and decided to

have both properties joined in a creative and attractive fashion in order to create

more space and to accommodate the Adelaide’s Home residents of Sans Souci. Now

they are well established at their spacious and luxurious complex at upper

Waterworks Road, Castries.

            Though times have changed and public and governmental

assistance to these institutions have grown over the years, Gus has continued to

carry the main and significant burden of these  institution.

            It must also be noted, that he finds the time not only to care for, meet, pray

and chat daily with every resident of the home, but in addition is always available to

offer counseling, spiritual healing to the sick and has assisted countless institutions

and groups with printing tickets and other material.

            For eight years now Gus and Friends of the Elderly can be seen serving

breakfast to the elderly and destitute of the City on Manoel Street every 1st Friday

from 6:30 - 8:00 a.m.

            Mr. Justin, who had dedicated years to helping the poor and elderly, said

that during the last year he had been receiving further callings to dedicate the

remainder of his earthy life to serve God.

            Mr. Justin now devoted most of his time to his “earthly mission in the form of

care giving” at the Home and visiting those who are shut-in through old age and

sickness, as well as the poor and the elderly.

            Having lived a life with no failures and free of illness and pain, he says, he

will reinvest in heaven’s bank, as this is the only institution which takes care of his

interest and in which he can always trust.

            Gus was also instrumental in the publishing the “Elderly News” and “Special

Edition” Newspapers which further highlights the need of the poor and

underprivileged and the efforts of various groups in the community to assist them.

            Mr. Justin received the Gold Medal (SLPM) of honour in January 1999 and is

also the proud recipient of two (2) Paul Harris fellowship awards from Rotary

International and a meritorious award from Kiwanees Club for dedicated Service to

the Aged. Gus is married to Phyllis nee Trim and is the father of seven children;

Bertha Lorna Peters, Andre Mark Justin, Darren Augustus Justin, Orrin Jason Justin,

 Dr. Gusphyl  Antonio Justin, Adelaide Justin Carthy and Charlene Justin.