The Tribune

PROMINENT Bahamian lawyer E Dawson Roberts died at 11am yesterday at his Eastern Road home. He was 85.

Mr Roberts was a direct descendant of Loyalist Wyannie Malone, who founded Hope Town, Abaco, in 1783 after moving from Charleston, South Carolina.

His daughter, Lorie Lowe, remembers her father as a witty and friendly sportsman.

“He was delightful, of course. That was a phrase he often said,” she said. “He was a prominent attorney known for his draughtsmanship and integrity and was the longest continuously practising member of the Bar.”

Mrs Lowe said Mr Roberts enjoyed sports, including tennis, and described him as “sharp at the net.”

“He enjoyed a good party,” she also said of her father. “If his car was at the front door people knew it was a good party. He had quick wit and was always ready with a good story to make you laugh.”

She added that Mr Roberts would “regularly” recite poetry for the amusement of his friends.

Born in Nassau on July 15, 1926, the son of Mr James Jenkins Roberts and Hattie Isabel (née Malone) of Hope Town, Abaco, Mr Roberts attended Queen’s College before earning a law degree at Victoria College, University of Toronto. He also studied at Lincoln’s Inn, London, where he was called to the English Bar.

In July 1948, he was called to the Bahamas Bar where he practised for years as a conveyancer and corporate lawyer.

He bought one of Nassau’s landmarks, the property on the corner of Parliament and Shirley streets, in 1982. During its restoration, he discovered behind its plastered exterior a construction of cut stone that dated back to 1802.

He revived it and moved his law practice into the building, now known as Magna Carta Court.

“It couldn’t be located better,” Mr Roberts is quoted as saying. “The Supreme Court opposite, the library to one side and some of Nassau’s best restaurants close by.”

Mr Roberts was an avid sportsman. He played tennis, soccer, rugby, softball, and cricket. He was also fond of sailing.

He was former Commodore of the Royal Nassau Sailing Club and the Nassau Yacht Club – the only person with the distinction of filling both posts — former president of the Nassau Lawn and Tennis Club, and also former president of the Nassau Wine and Food Society.

He leaves behind his wife Bette, son Edward, two daughters, Lorie Lowe and Tara Roberts, grandchildren, Julia and Sophie Roberts, and Savannah Donovan, daughter-in-law, Rosamund Roberts, and son-in-law, Jimmie Lowe, nieces and nephews, and caregivers ¬– Millie Coke and Eloise Smith.