The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VERSATILE Leroy ‘Uncle Lee’ Archer Sr, one of the Bahamas’ greatest soccer players, coach and mentor and a participant in a number of sports while excelling as a seamster, died on Wednesday.

Survived by three children, Sharon, Leira and Leroy Jr, Archer Sr was 96. He would have celebrated his legal 97th birthday on Thursday, but Sharon said they normally observe his birthday on February 25.

“Cool, calm, loveable, an officer and a gentleman, charming, caring and very athletic,” were the first words that came to mind by Sharon as she and her siblings reflected on their father.

Known as a seamster, who started sewing at the age of 18 and operator of a successful store on Nassau Street and Dean’s Lane, Archer worked st British Airways, the Simpson Penn for Boys, previously known as the Boys Industrial School, as a tailor, supervisor and their physical education instructor.

Archer played football from the 1940s to the 60s with St George’s Soccer Club before he founded the Dynamos Football Club, of which he served as captain until he retired from playing.

He remained an active member of the Bahamas Football Association, serving as referee at the senior league and a coach at the youth level.

For his efforts, the BFA honoured him with the presentation of the Order of Merit award at halftime of the President’s Cup match on New Year’s Day 2009 with the trophy bearing his name and he was selected as a ‘Beacon of Light’ honouree at the BFA’s 50th Anniversary banquet.

Anton Sealey, president of the BFA, called Archer a legend in football in the Bahamas.

“Uncle Lee was a member of the first Bahamas national team in 1967, he was a member of the St George’s Sporting Club and a founding member of the Dynamos Football club in 1967,” said Sealey on behalf of the BFA.

“Uncle Lee was also an all-around sportsman participating in softball, basketball and swimming. He was a man of all seasons.”

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) also offered its condolences to the Archer family with leader Philip Davis calling him a mentor and role model, a cultural icon, a sportsman extraordinaire, small businessman and community leader in the Chippingham community.

“Mr Archer was not only a first-class tailor, but an outstanding athlete in multiple sports, including soccer and cricket,” Davis wrote. “He is a founding member of the Dynamos Football Club and was the captain of one of the first local soccer teams to represent The Bahamas in international competition.

“For his stellar contributions to youth and sports development in the capacities of player, referee and coach, Mr Archer was awarded the Order of Merit by the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) in 2009.

Davis said Archer lived a full life and gave liberally of his time and talents and in the process he impacted thousands of lives, including many at-risk youths when he taught them sports at the Boys Industrial School.

“I thank him for his service to our country and the community of Chippingham,” Davis continued on behalf of his wife Ann Marie, PLP Deputy Leader I Chester Cooper, National Chairman Senator Fred Mitchell and the officers and members of the Progressive Liberal Party.