The Tribune

ABNER Pinder, former chief councillor of Spanish Wells and North Eleuthera, died yesterday in a Florida hospital after battling cancer.

The Free National Movement (FNM) released a statement on his death saying the country had lost a great Bahamian.

“Abner was an outstanding son of the historic settlement of Spanish Wells, Eleuthera,” the FNM’s statement said.

“He served for many years as chief councillor and council member in the local government district serving North Eleuthera and Spanish Wells. Abner, in his private avocation, was a renowned seaman and community leader. In fact, certainly in FNM circles, he had long been dubbed as ‘the mayor of Spanish Wells’.”

The party said Mr Pinder’s commitment to public service and the empowerment of his community led him to become a life-long political activist.

“As a prominent member of the FNM both on the island of Eleuthera and in the wider Bahamas, Abner was an established fixture at every political convention and very many of our meetings of the Central Council, firstly as an advisory councillor since 2005.”

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis expressed his personal sorrow on learning of Mr Pinder’s death.

“Abner was a great friend and an ardent FNM,” Dr Minnis said. “I and every other leader of this great party have had the benefit of his salty wit, good humour and great insights. He was appointed by me as a member of the National Party Executive Committee in 2012 because of his keen political insight and experience. He truly fought for the best interests of the residents throughout the communities of Eleuthera.”

“On behalf of every FNM member, we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Ruth, and to his extended family. May he rest in peace,” said Dr Minnis.