The Tribune

The community of Long Island honored the memory of nation builder, community leader, and war hero Joseph Benjamin Carroll – by officially naming a road in his honor.

King’s Highway (from Scrubb Hill to Pinders) has been officially renamed Joseph B Carroll Highway.

The family of Mr Carroll, students, teachers, representatives of government departments and a large cross-section of the community attended the ceremony held outdoors at NGM Major High School on Friday.

Also in attendance were Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Chester Cooper; Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities; Adrian Gibson, MP for Long Island; Bacchus Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary; Earl Campbell, Director of Local Government; Tyrell Young, executive chairman, BAMSI; Jandilee Archer, Administrator for Long Island; and Local Government representatives.

Participants included: Sharon Cartwright, deputy chief councillor; Fr Berkley Smith, priest in charge of St Paul’s Long Island; Administrator Archer; Mr Gibson; and Justice Norris Carroll, former Senator and son of Mr Carroll. The NGM Major Vocal Ensemble performed during the event.

Mr Cooper described Mr. Carroll as a “remarkable” man who is remembered for his commitment to family, his business acumen, and for his service to the nation.

He said: “From his pioneering of the Community Food Store to his advocacy on financial inclusion, which led to the first banking institution – the Royal Bank of Canada -- establishing a permanent branch on Long Island, Mr. Carroll’s legacy is certainly an impressive one.

“By renaming this road in central Long Island, we do more than honour his memory. We make the much bolder decision to recognize our own. To commemorate the builders of this nation, who were born in this nation.

“As we approach our Golden Jubilee, a truly momentous moment in the history of this country, we must strive do even more to celebrate our own. Today, we rename a road but tomorrow, we have endless opportunities to shape the nation we want to call home.”

Reflecting on the contributions of Mr Carroll, Mr Sears cited a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson entitled ‘What is success?’

He said: “He appreciated beauty; found the best in others. He gave generously of himself and he left this world better by his witness, by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. That is the legacy that we celebrate today. Therefore, it is within this context that we are here to honor a Bahamian hero, son of the soil and legend of our time who epitomised the definition of success.

“For a life such as his, where in all things Joseph Benjamin Carroll found it more blessed to give than to receive, more honorable to build than destroy, it is therefore fitting that this portion of the road from Scrubb Hill to Pinders be named in honor of this Bahamian patriot.”

Ms Cartwright said, “Here we are today, some 18 years later, witnessing a dream come true.

“Today is by all means a defining moment in the history of Long Island. Soon and very soon we will be walking, driving or riding down J B Carroll’s highway instead of the King’s Highway.”

Mr Carroll’s accomplishments include:

-Served as an elder in Cartwright’s Gospel Chapel beginning in 1958 until the time of his death in 2010;

-Honoured by Queen Elizabeth II (received the British Empire Medal) for meritorious civil/military service;

• Member of the local School Board and the Parent Teachers’ Association of NGM Major High School;

-A member of the local Board of Works for over 30 years;

-Led fundraising efforts to construct a Science Building at NGM Major High School;

-Helped raise funds for the Deadman’s Cay Health Centre and led the effort to raise funds for the Medical Clinic and Nurse’s residence.

A ribbon cutting, blessing of the road and benediction followed the ceremony.