The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer FORMER senior commissioner of police, the late Stanley Riddell Moir, is no longer around to carry on a family tradition known as the AMGU Awards, which stands for "a Moir never gives up", but his grandchildren intend to keep the tradition alive. Mr Moir, who died at age 89, started the family award as a way to encourage his grandchildren to always persevere whenever they felt like giving up. Anytime they felt a feat could not be accomplished, he was always quick to remind them that "a Moir never gives up". Building up a person, whether a family member or a stranger was just Mr Moir's nature. He loved to see people progress in their personal endeavors, his son Richard Moir told Tribune Religion. Mr Moir passed away on March 8 from complications due to pneumonia. His passing has left a void in the lives of family members. The days leading up to Mr Moir's death were "terrible" and sleepless, said Richard said. Mr Moir was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia. "He had puemonia twice in three weeks. He went to the hospital about February 20 and he was there for five days. When I came back home I came thinking I was just here for rehabilitation and to help him get better. He ended up getting worse because he picked up another string of pneumonia and he collapsed at home," he said. Even though weeks have passed since Mr Moir's passing, family members still hope he will soon return. "The reason we had his ashes scattered on the water in the front of the house is so that when we are in the kitchen sitting down having dinner, we can see him, that is how we did it. It does not feel as though he went anywhere. It feels like he will be back soon," said Richard. The entire family, including Richard, his brother James, their mother Doreen Moir, and other family members, are cherishing all of the wonderful memories they had with Mr Moir. What will stick with Richard the most, he said, are phrases often recited by his father, like "to thy self be true' and 'let your conscience be your guide'. "What is interesting is that everyone had their own memories of my father whether or not they were close family or the people that he worked with. We learnt a lot about our father. We were genuinely touched and more grateful for the honour he was accorded by in the military service. We want to thank everyone, the government, the commissioner of police, the Royal Bahamas Police Force. My father's funeral gave us memories that we will cherish forever. All of the expressions of sympathy and condolences were completely unexpected and humbling." f "Growing up we had some big toys to play with. We got to play on a real fire engine, not much children can say they did that. My dad sometimes carried us along with him when he made his rounds through the community. We even got to run in the back of the police band during a march," he said. Mr Moir also joined the British Colonial Police Service which is how he and his young family came to adopt and were adopted by the Bahamas in 1956. They have remained ever since. He was a former assistant senior commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. After retiring from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Mr Moir began a second career with Barclays Bank which he enjoyed. Mr Moir carried a very active life. During the day time he enjoyed engaging in carpentry work. "He liked going in the water but he did not like sailing with me. His favorite thing to do is making things with his hands. He made big doors, shelves, book cases, laid floors, and he also made a wagon for my daughter. Reading was a bedtime activity," said Richard.