The Tribune

CABLE BAHAMAS chairman and founder Phil Keeping, died in a fall from a mechanical scissor-lift in a Harley-Davidson dealership in Newfoundland, Canada, early Monday afternoon.

The accident occurred in the One Mile Harley-Davidson store in Mount Pearl, one of the many businesses owned worldwide by the 65-year-old Canadian businessman. It was not clear why Mr Keeping was on the lift in the dealership. According to CBC News, the Royal Newfoundland Police declined to give details.

Cable Bahamas’ Marketing Manager David Burrows, in a press release, said the entire company is deeply saddened by Mr Keeping’s tragic death.

“This is such a sad day for the Cable Bahamas family. We find it difficult to convey our feelings over this profound loss. All of our staff, many of whom have been with the company from inception, knew Phil to be a true gentleman and friend,” the release said.

Anthony Butler, Cable Bahamas’ President and CEO, mourned Mr Keeping’s death, saying he was “a giant of a man in many ways, a real friend and inspirational mentor.”

Over the past 40 years, Mr Keeping dedicated his life’s work to developing the telecommunications industry in Canada, the Bahamas and, most recently, Florida.

In 1988, he focused on the cable TV industry. This move brought him to The Bahamas where he spent the last 15 years growing the company from an idea to a successful reality.

Mr Keeping began his career in the telecommunications group – Transport Canada in the early 1970s.

In 1986, he formed N1 Cable TV Ltd to deliver high-quality TV services to 220 small rural communities in Newfoundland, Canada.

In 1988, Mr Keeping expanded the company to include communities in New Brunswick, Canada, and in 1991, he concentrated his efforts on the development of the New Brunswick cable TV market. In August 1994, he reached an agreement to sell his interests in New Brunswick and sought opportunities for the establishment and development of Cable TV systems in the Caribbean. Those efforts were rewarded when the Government of The Bahamas granted a cable TV license to Cable Bahamas Ltd.

Mr Keeping served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cable Bahamas Ltd for more than 10 years before moving on in 2005 to pursue other business interests in Canada and Florida. Because of his proven record, he was asked once again in January of 2010, to assume the position of Chairman of the Board of Cable Bahamas Ltd. Since then, he has led the company through a period of sustained growth, including the company’s recently announced expansion to Florida.

The statement said: “During his lengthy career, Mr Keeping impressed many as an accomplished leader and visionary. While his technology expertise was remarkable, his true legacy will be the meaningful impact he had on the scores of people with whom he interacted. Whether it was the gardener maintaining the grounds of the company, his management team who daily sought his counsel, the shareholders of the company who looked to him for his guidance and acumen, or national leaders seeking knowledge and proficiency, all were impressed by his integrity, sincerity and genuineness. Phil’s unassuming manner and his ability to convey assurance and calm will be fondly remembered and missed by many.”

Mr. Keeping, a native of Rencontre East, Newfoundland and Labrador, is survived by his wife Eleanor, their daughters, Kim and Eleanor, and sons, Gerry and Kenny, and four sisters

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11am from St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on Cornwall Crescent with cremation to follow.