The Tribune

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday said he was “saddened” by the death of Sir Jack Hayward, honorary chairman and co-owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Mr Ingraham said Sir Jack was a key driver in Freeport’s growth and development.

Sir Jack, 91, died in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Wednesday after fighting a long illness for several months.

“Sir Jack was for many years, together with his business partner, the late Edward St George, the heart and soul of Freeport,” Mr Ingraham said in a statement. “Together, they were more responsible for the growth and development of Freeport than any other person or persons.

“Sir Jack, as his father before him, was a believer in Freeport. He enjoyed relating stories of what he found in there when he arrived and of the challenging times he spent engaged in battle with the government of The Bahamas. In many respects he found the cost of doing business in The Bahamas high. Through it all, he was forthright, single-minded and stubbornly devoted to Freeport and to the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

“I enjoyed doing business with Sir Jack even when we disagreed which we did most recently over the need to broaden the ownership, leadership and control of Freeport. But even in disagreeing Sir Jack was amicable. He has left a distinctive mark on the development of Grand Bahama, not only on the business and investment fronts, but on the education front, in environmental protection and in the promotion of sport, his personal passion. Freeport will miss him.

“I was pleased, when given the opportunity in 1998, to name one of Grand Bahama’s modern high schools in his honour. It was a most deserving recognition of his dedication to the people of Freeport and to The Bahamas.

“Delores (my wife) joins me in extending deep sympathy to Sir Jack’s family, to his Grand Bahama Port Authority family and to his numerous friends and associates around The Bahamas and beyond.”

Sir Jack was born on June 14, 1923, the only child of Sir Charles Hayward, a leading industrialist, and his wife, Hilda. Sir Jack served in the Royal Air Force during the war, training as a pilot and flying missions over India and Burma.

Knighted in 1986, he was fiercely patriotic and often known as “Union Jack”.

In a 2010 Daily Mail article, it was stated his inheritance would go to charities in The Bahamas.

Sir Jack’s many philanthropic acts include founding the YMCA, the Sir Charles Hayward Library, the Grand Bahama Humane Society, the Regency Theatre and the Jack Hayward High School, among others.

He is survived by his wife Lady Hayward, and his partner of many years, Mrs Patricia Bloom, who was at his side throughout his illness.

Also at his side during his last hours was his eldest son, Richard.Mr Ingraham said Sir Jack was a key driver in Freeport’s growth and development.

Sir Jack, 91, died in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Wednesday after fighting a long illness for several months.

“Sir Jack was for many years, together with his business partner, the late Edward St George, the heart and soul of Freeport,” Mr Ingraham said in a statement. “Together, they were more responsible for the growth and development of Freeport than any other person or persons.

“Sir Jack, as his father before him, was a believer in Freeport. He enjoyed relating stories of what he found in there when he arrived and of the challenging times he spent engaged in battle with the government of The Bahamas. In many respects he found the cost of doing business in The Bahamas high. Through it all, he was forthright, single-minded and stubbornly devoted to Freeport and to the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

“I enjoyed doing business with Sir Jack even when we disagreed which we did most recently over the need to broaden the ownership, leadership and control of Freeport. But even in disagreeing Sir Jack was amicable. He has left a distinctive mark on the development of Grand Bahama, not only on the business and investment fronts, but on the education front, in environmental protection and in the promotion of sport, his personal passion. Freeport will miss him.

“I was pleased, when given the opportunity in 1998, to name one of Grand Bahama’s modern high schools in his honour. It was a most deserving recognition of his dedication to the people of Freeport and to The Bahamas.

“Delores (my wife) joins me in extending deep sympathy to Sir Jack’s family, to his Grand Bahama Port Authority family and to his numerous friends and associates around The Bahamas and beyond.”

Sir Jack was born on June 14, 1923, the only child of Sir Charles Hayward, a leading industrialist, and his wife, Hilda. Sir Jack served in the Royal Air Force during the war, training as a pilot and flying missions over India and Burma.

Knighted in 1986, he was fiercely patriotic and often known as “Union Jack”.

In a 2010 Daily Mail article, it was stated his inheritance would go to charities in The Bahamas.

Sir Jack’s many philanthropic acts include founding the YMCA, the Sir Charles Hayward Library, the Grand Bahama Humane Society, the Regency Theatre and the Jack Hayward High School, among others.

He is survived by his wife Lady Hayward, and his partner of many years, Mrs Patricia Bloom, who was at his side throughout his illness.

Also at his side during his last hours was his eldest son, Richard.