ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA — The West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) is mourning the loss of one of its most enduring and beloved industry partners, veteran Dominican businessman McMillan Jno-Baptiste, who died after more than five decades of continuous partnership with the regional energy firm.
Widely known affectionately to peers, customers and community members as “McMillan” or simply “Mr. Mac,” Jno-Baptiste first joined the WIOC network of retail dealers back in 1972, marking the start of a 51-year association that stands unmatched across the company’s operations spanning Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica. His retail outlet holds the distinction of being the longest continuously operating dealership in WIOC’s entire retail network.
In an official memorial statement released this week, WIOC officials emphasized that Jno-Baptiste grew to become a household name across Dominica, where his consistent dedication to prioritizing customer needs built him a reputation that earned respect across multiple generations of local residents.
“Mr. Jno-Baptiste will be remembered as an exemplary businessman whose unwavering commitment to serving the people of Dominica earned him the admiration and respect of generations. Quite simply, Mr. Mac put the service in his service stations,” the company’s statement reads.
WIOC Chief Executive Officer Gregory F. Georges expanded on the far-reaching impact of Jno-Baptiste’s life and career, noting that his legacy extends far beyond the bounds of the petroleum sector. “As I reflect on his remarkable life, we honor not only his outstanding contributions to the petroleum industry but also the integrity, resilience, humility, and generosity that defined his character,” Georges explained. “His legacy will continue to live on through the business he built, the community he served, and the many lives he touched throughout his extraordinary journey.”
Georges also shared a personal, heartfelt memory of his last interaction with Jno-Baptiste, which took place just five weeks before the businessman’s passing at his private residence. During the meeting, the pair reflected on Jno-Baptiste’s childhood in Dominica’s capital Roseau, where he attended the Roseau Boys’ School alongside Georges’ own father and uncle. Georges recalled that the conversation was steeped in joy and nostalgia, with Jno-Baptiste speaking with characteristic enthusiasm about the decades-long friendship he shared with Georges’ family members.
“He spoke with such enthusiasm, reflecting fondly on the lifelong friendship they shared. It was a conversation filled with warmth, laughter, and treasured memories,” Georges said.
Closing the statement, Georges extended formal condolences from the entire WIOC team to Jno-Baptiste’s surviving family and close loved ones, offering prayers for comfort and resilience as they navigate their period of grief.