The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham advised FNM party members to “take a page from (Charles Maynard’s) book” and not talk party business outside of party ranks.

Mr Ingraham was among a number of notable FNM supporters who gathered at the party’s Mackey Street headquarters yesterday afternoon for a memorial service in honour of the late chairman, Charles Maynard, who died last week while campaigning in Abaco.

Speaking to a room packed full of mourners clad in black, Mr Ingraham said: “Charlie worked entirely on behalf of the FNM. He was a talented, personable, enthusiastic, reliable, productive, and loyal FNM.”

He explained he found it hard to find the words to describe the depth of Mr Maynard’s “good character” but noted Mr Maynard was a “disciplined member” of the FNM.

“He was chatty but serious, jovial but thoughtful, and as always, a fierce defender of our cause. He understood the duties and responsibilities of membership,” Mr Ingraham said.

“Once a decision was taken by the party, regardless to where he stood, during the in-House debate he became the proponent of our position. He not only accepted the party’s position, he made it his own. He never talked ill of anyone and he never talked party business outside party ranks. Right or wrong, Charlie was FNM.

“Any of us can take a page from Charlie’s book, could learn from Charlie’s example and not bad-mouth FNMs out there.”

Dubbing Mr Maynard a “gifted addition” to the FNM, the former prime minister said: “I had high hopes for him, I miss him, I mourn his passing. May Charlie rest in peace.”

Current party leader Hubert Minnis was another speaker at the memorial service and spoke on Mr Maynard’s “warm” personality and also outlined the contributions he made to the country.

“Today I stand to pay tribute to a great Bahamian, a great FNM, and a great man,” Dr Minnis said.

“Charlie had an invigorating presence and an infectious smile. Anyone having the pleasure of knowing him will remember the warmth of his demeanour and the welcome of his smile. He was passionate but very, very personable. When Charlie accepted the call to public political life, he did so with valour, he did so with conviction, and he did so with fortitude.

“In the great House of Parliament he was one of the fiercest debaters - entering all debates fearlessly, yet faithful to his colleagues, faithful to his constituents and faithful to his beloved Bahamas.”

Mr Maynard was also dedicated to celebrating youth, ensuring that young people could have a future to look forward to and was in strong support of developing youth programmes, Dr Minnis said - noting the former Youth, Sports and Culture Minister “truly loved the youth, our culture and the people of The Bahamas”.

The party leader also added: “Charlie wanted us to focus our energies upon defeating the PLP and not ourselves.”

Former National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest also spoke as did former Senator and Elizabeth constituency contender Duane Sands, former State Minister of Environment Phenton Neymour, and current National Secretary General for the FNM Michael Foulkes.