The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association is mourning the loss of another one of its members with the passing of Grand Bahamian native Natasha ‘Tasha’ Curry-Augustine, who was considered a “gem” by her siblings.

Augustine-Curry, 45, was in her second year as a physical education teacher at Doris Johnson Secondary High where she also coached the Marlins’ senior girls basketball and volleyball teams.

A teacher of 23 years, Curry-Augustine worked at six different schools, including Jack Hayward Senior High, Eight Mile Rock and St George’s before coming to New Providence.

Survived by her husband, Luner Augustine, her mother, Carol Curry; four sisters, Michelle Burrows, Monique Walkes, Tanya Curry and Denise Hield and three brothers Thomas Curry Jr, Bradley Curry and David Hield, Curry-Augustine was remembered as “one of a kind.” “Words can’t describe her. She was the kindest, sweetest loving person,” Burrows said. “Whoever met her, will remember. Tasha was one of a kind. She was very special to her family and friends. It was devastating to her family and friends. Everybody was out of it.”

Although he was one year younger than Curry-Augustine, Curry Jr, who is also the leader of the six-time champions Platinum Knights Junkanoo Group in Grand Bahama, said his sister was his “biggest fan.

“She made sure that I did everything right,” he said. “She was very strict, but very humble. She always wanted things to be right. She was always a neat person. She spoke her mind and when she finished, everybody still loved her. Once you did it right, she loved you back.”

And Tanya Curry, a year and four months older than Curry-Augustine, said they developed a special bond from childhood.

“She’s a gem. A lot of people talk about people who were so good, but you can see the response to her death on social media. She touched the lives of the teachers and students whom she came in contact with at the six schools she taught at in Grand Bahama before moving to New Providence.

“She was the person who put everyone together. She organised everything. Everything was always in order with her. She had all of the pictures when we went on family trips, weddings or any functions we had. She was very crafty and she always fixed things so wonderfully. She was different. She wasn’t like any of us. I don’t believe she had any flaws.”

Curry recalled how Curry-Augustine answered her calling by God to be a teacher as she began at the age of 23. After graduating from Hawksbill High with honors at the age of 16, Curry-Augustine went to earn her Associate degree at Mary Holmes College in Mississippi and Spellman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for her Bachelor’s degree where she was on the Dean’s List.

On her return home in Grand Bahama, she began her teaching at Western All-Age and Holmes Rock Primary. She then moved to St George’s in Physical Education as the second in command. A promotion at Eight Mile Rock saw her become the head of the PE Department.

After change of location at Sir Jack Hayward, Curry-Augustine met her husband, Luner Augustine and they transferred to New Providence where she continued her teaching career at Doris Johnson as the head of the PE Department.

According to Curry, he was Curry-Augustine’s first love and they were like “soul mates.”

“They were made for each other,” she said. “When she first met him, she came to me and told me she had a boyfriend and she was so pleased to see my reaction. I told her she deserved it. They had their wedding and then they moved to Nassau.”

On their school Facebook page, Doris Johnson issued the following statement on the passing of Curry-Augustine, a former basketball player in Grand Bahama.

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we informed you of the untimely passing of Mrs. Natasha Curry-Augustine, Physical Education Subject Coordinator,” the school wrote. “Mrs. Curry-Augustine was a hardworking, disciplined, caring and wonderful person who inspired, motivated and molded the lives of many.

“Our prayers go out to her family. Eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace.”

Denycko Bowles, the head coach of the champions Marlins’ senior boys basketball team, said Curry-Augustine came in and immediately made her presence felt at Doris Johnson.

“She was just going into her third year with us. She came in 2019, but for the short time she was with us, she was a true leader,” Bowles said. “She was really motivated and dedicated to what she did. She was also happy and was always trying to find solutions to any problems that we had in the department.

“There wasn’t much I could say wrong about her. She came right in and helped me in coaching the basketball team. She was there for the teachers and for the students. This is definitely going to be a big loss for the school. She was a good head of the department. She was a real team player. She assisted in whatever way she could. She will definitely be missed.”

When Curry-Augustine came from Grand Bahama, she was reunited with her former collegiate Clifton Carey, who is now at the RM Bailey Secondary High. Although they were at different schools, he said they were very close.

“She was like my little sister. We talked just about every day,” Carey said. “She was always asking me for advice. She was a very spiritual lady, but she was a great coach, especially with the girls’ teams.

“That was something she was passionate about. She was a very good person to be around. I still can’t believe that I got this call that she has gone. But she will be missed.”

GSSSA president Varel Davis said in Curry-Augustine’s transition to New Providence, she made her presence felt.

She was a very nice person, hard worker, who was always willing to assist,” Davis said. “If she could help you, she would. Excellent coach. It’s a sad day on the GSSSA.

“We lost one of our members, although she was with us for a short time. She impacted our lives. She will be truly missed.”

On behalf of the GSSSA, its executive members and the student-athletes, Davis expressed the sincere condolences to Curry-Augustine’s husband and her family.