The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter PASTOR Alfred A McKenzie, who spent his early days working in the fields of the United States as a "Contract" employee before becoming a Baptist clergyman, is remembered by those who knew him as an "all-purpose" man. Pastor McKenzie died two years ago of cancer at the age 87, but his loved ones still remember the beliefs he instilled in them. His daughter, Vandalyn McKenzie, told Tribune Religion that her father was known as "The Proud Pastor" by his church members at the Ebenezer Union Baptist Church in Barraterre, Exuma, where he served for 33 years. But he did not start out as a man of the church. "He worked in 'the Contract' back in the day, along with many Bahamians, where they went to pick fruits and fruit groves, to get processed for juice making," said his daughter, Ms McKenzie said her childhood was filled with stories about her father. "He told me about his days working in the farms, teaching my siblings and myself to work for what we want and always make sure we put our best effort into whatever we do," she said. This attitude served him well in life and in coming to terms with his cancer diagnosis. Six weeks after finding out he had cancer, Pastor McKenzie died. "He was ready to go, as soon as they told him he started to prepare, but I can say he lived a full and productive life," Ms McKenzie said. In memory of his birthday yesterday, friends and family of Pastor McKenzie will all gather at his grave site in Exuma this Saturday, to sing hymns and recite scriptures. Sharing one of her father's favourite jokes, Ms McKenzie said: "He was a very funny person. I remember one time ago, he went over to a conference in the United States and took two other pastors with him. After one of the conference sessions they went into a restaurant and when the menu came, he said he could not understand anything on it but chicken." "He then said: 'No matter where you go in the world, always remember to eat what you know. You can't go wrong with chicken'." She said out of all her memories of her father, that is the one that stands out for her. "He was a no-nonsense person, always making sure that things were in order, but he made sure we got the best in life. He was a leader, not only in the church, but in his household as well." In addition to his farm work, Pastor McKenzie also spent his days working as a taxi driver, a fisherman and owning a trucking business in Exuma. "Success was his middle name and everything he did, he made sure he succeeded," Ms McKenzie said. A very family-oriented person, Ms McKenzie said her father always had time for young people. "He also enjoyed meeting people and having fruitful conversations. He would always offer advice to the youngsters, telling them stories about how he grew up without a father in his life. He wanted them to know that life was not easy, but he always encouraged them."