The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MOURNERS are expected to gather at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King on February 23 to say their final farewells at a memorial service for the late Sir Jack Hayward, who was instrumental in the development of Freeport. Sir Jack, 91, died in Fort Lauderdale last month.

Peter Adderley, who first met the Honorary Chairman of the Grand Bahamas Port Authority in his teens and later worked as a consultant for him, reminisced about their first meeting at the Regency Theatre, when Sir Jack performed on stage.

“As a child, my mother took us to all plays and that is when I first met Sir Jack, when I was a teenager. I marvelled at his performance on stage, how he could hold the line. I learnt later that his father or grandfather had been involved in the circus or some amusement, and there came his ability to entertain,” he recalled.

Mr Adderley said that their relationship developed over the years when he had the privilege to work with Sir Jack. “I think he took a liking to me because of the fact that I was an English major, and he had a thing about carrying around a red pen; he was very meticulous about proper grammar and spelling, so management and executives will tell that he would make corrections with the red pen,” he said.

Mr Adderley, who spent time with Sir Jack at his Freeport residence, said that Sir Jack was also full of humour and life, but that his “spirit of giving was just incredible, particularly what he did in the UK, and the Bahamas”. Sir Jack, he said, was passionate about education, sports, and community programmes. “I was able to see his quiet life and he shared a partnership in (Royal Bahamia Estates) with Frances Singer-Hayward, and there I found his love for reading and quiet time. He was rich but he certainly had the common touch,” Mr Adderley said.

“I think because of his mentorship and leadership, the likes of Sarah St George (vice chairman of GBPA) and Ian Rolle (President) are capable of carrying on the legacy of running the Port to its full potential, and bring back the glory days of GB.”

Sir Jack’s funeral was held in Wolverhampton, England, yesterday. His ashes will be spread through various parts of Britain and the Bahamas.