The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is mourning the loss of one of its most respected public science figures this week, as former Deputy Director of the national Meteorological Service Philbert Mason passed away at 75 early Wednesday morning in New York.
A trailblazer who shaped the country’s weather forecasting infrastructure over nearly four decades, Mason dedicated 37 years of his career to advancing the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service (ABMS). For generations of island residents, he became a steady, trusted voice during the region’s most high-stakes weather events—particularly when hurricane seasons brought life-threatening storm systems toward the small island nation.
Beyond his technical work to build the country’s meteorological programming, Mason was widely celebrated for his unique ability to deliver critical weather updates to the public with calm clarity and unshakable confidence. This consistent, approachable communication earned him widespread trust across Antigua and Barbuda, turning him into a well-known and beloved public figure far beyond the confines of the weather service.
In an official statement released this week, the ABMS leadership and staff extended their deepest sympathies to Mason’s family, friends, and former colleagues who worked alongside him throughout his decades-long career. The service noted that Mason’s professionalism, visionary leadership, and relentless commitment to excellence laid the foundation for the modern meteorological work the organization carries out today, and that his legacy will continue to inspire current and future teams at the ABMS for years to come.