Rupert Sterling was a former Senator in Antigua and Barbuda.

Early life and education

Rupert Sterling was born in on the 21 September 1938 to Cyprian Sterling from Parham and Agnes Hazelwood from New Winthorpes.  He spent his formative years in Antigua where was educated at the St John’s Boy’s school, and subsequently became a teacher at the same school and later at the New Winthorpes Government School before migrating to the United States in adulthood.

While in the US, the former senator received his Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering at the New York Institute of Technology and Master’s degrees in psychology and business administration from New York University and Columbia University respectfully.

He began his career as a psychologist and counsellor at the Harlem Youth Academy, where he was instrumental in the formation of a steel pan group – the North Star Pan Group, which he used as a tool to help keep truant youth off the streets of New York.  Sterling also had a career as a voice broadcaster; a marketing manager at NBC, as well as sales representative for companies, such as General Electric.

While in the United States, he met and began his relationship with former Prime Minister Lester Bird, who invited him to serve in his administration in later years.

Career

Upon returning to Antigua, Sterling was known firstly for his entrepreneurship and later for his involvement in politics.  He started a water company, Pure Water Company, currently operating as Tropical Flavors Ltd in the Coolidge Industrial Park.

Upon returning to Antigua, Sterling was known firstly for his entrepreneurship and later for his involvement in politics.  He started a water company, Pure Water Company, currently operating as Tropical Flavours Ltd in the Coolidge Industrial Park.  He also had an interest in commercial farming and owned an estate in Greencastle.

In politics, Sterling was a one- time candidate for the Antigua Labour Party in the 1999 general elections, when he contested the seat of All Saints East and St Luke’s.  Though he lost his bid to win the seat, he was made a senator in the Lester Bird administration and a Minister of State in the office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information and Broadcasting.  Sterling resigned officially from the senate and active politics in 2003.

Personal life

Sterling is survived by his wife Lucia Solis-Sterling and his four children.

Death