The Tribune

RETIRED Financial Secretary Ehurd Cunningham died in hospital on Saturday night following heart surgery early last week.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who was close friends with Mr Cunningham, offered his deepest sympathies to Mr Cunningham’s survivors yesterday.

“Delores and I were surprised and deeply saddened to learn of Ehurd Cunningham’s passing this morning,” said Mr Ingraham.

“Ehurd was among my oldest friends in Nassau. We met at Jaycees more than 40 years ago. He stood in my wedding and I am godfather to his son.”

The former Prime Minister described Mr Cunningham as dedicated and committed to whatever tasks he undertook.

“He had an extraordinary work ethic. He also had a tremendous social conscious, working tirelessly to provide drug-addicted young men with needed guidance to transform their lives and to become productive members of society,” Mr Ingraham said.

Mr Cunningham worked for a number of years in the private sector, primarily in the insurance industry.

In the public sector he served at the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas and later at the Public Treasury.

He joined the Ministry of Finance as Revenue Secretary during Mr Ingraham’s second term of office, and continued in that capacity throughout the following years until his appointment as Acting Financial Secretary.

Since his retirement earlier this year he was re-engaged as a consultant on tax matters in the ministry.

“Ehurd endured a number of medical ailments in recent years but he always managed to work through them, coming out seemingly even stronger. Sadly, we now mourn his passage,” Mr Ingraham said.

“The country is fortunate to have had such a dedicated public officer and a community servant in Ehurd Cunningham, who was also a dear friend and colleague to many.

“On behalf of Delores and our children I express deepest condolences to his sons Michael and Marcus, and to his extended family. May he rest in peace.”