The Tribune

THEY came from a cross-section of society to remember the life and times of the late Hall of Famer Peter Gilcud, a 67-year-old father, grandfather, former basketball player turned administrator and philanthropist as well as one of the leading junkanooers for the Shell Saxons Superstars.

Better known as ‘The Cud’ or ‘Macaroni,’ a special memorial service was staged for Gilcud at First Baptist Church on Wednesday night.

Host pastor, Rev Dianne Francis, delivered the eulogy. A number of persons from the sporting and junkanoo world also spoke, including Mario Bowleg, president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation.

Bowleg, the candidate for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in Garden Hills in the next general elections, recalled how Gilcud came from Fresh Creek, Andros, to enrol in St Augustine’s College.

Five years later, he left with his “chest high, having achieved academic honours and athletic recognition” that enabled him to transition into St Gregory’s Junior College in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Having starred at St Gregory’s for two years, Gilcud went on to excel at the University of Minnesota in the twin cities of Minnesota and St Paul’s.

As a member of the Golden Gophers men’s basketball team, Gilcud carted off the Most Valuable Player award. He was an excellent international player who led the Bahamas men’s national team at various competitions.

He was a stellar centre for the Beck’s Cougars during the heydays in the New Providence Basketball Assocation where they enjoyed some keenly contested showdowns with the Kentucky Colonels and rival big man Sterling Robert Lloyd Quant.

Gilcud, according to Bowleg, was also remembered as a basketball philanthropist and administrator, who did all he possibly could to assist a number of young players to get off to school on scholarships and otherwise, not only in the United States, but Canada as well.

“The BBF has lost another giant of a man,” Bowleg said.

“However, we will continue to celebrate the life and contributions of one Peter Alexander ‘Macaroni’ ‘Cud’ Gilcud with the exuberance that only he could have exuded.

“As president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, I join junkanooers, relatives and loved ones in paying tribute to Peter Alexander Gilcud.”