The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WELL-KNOWN Grand Bahama businessman Jeffrey Bernard Butler died in the Doiminican Republic on Saturday after reported complications from surgery. He was in his 70s.

Mr Butler, CEO of the Butler Group of Companies, suffered from throat problems. After having surgery he slipped into a coma, and died hours later, The Tribune was told.

The Bahamian businessman was also a pilot, and lived part-time in the Dominican Republic.

Mr Butler was a businessman for many years in Freeport. He operated Butler’s Specialty Foods on Yellow Pine Street, which was a very successful food retail business. In December 2010, he opened a 20,000 sq ft supermarket, Butler’s Food World, in the Circle Mall on West Atlantic Drive.

In 2012, after serious financial troubles the business fell into receivership, but after five months Mr Butler was able to regain control of his business on a legal technicality. It eventually closed in 2015. Mr Butler had blamed most of the financial woes of the business on the high costs of power, among other things.

Mr Butler came from a well known Nassau family that settled in West End, Grand Bahama. His father Bernie Butler, ran the family-operated liquor business – Butler and Sand’s - for many years.

The family was said to have been in shock and devastated by the news.

Mr Butler was also interested in politics and had put in an application for the third time to the Free National Movement to be the candidate for West End and Bimini, which he often talked about. At one point he parked his boat at West End and said it could be used as a campaign headquarters.

He also owned property in West Grand Bahama, and had constructed a small business complex on land there following the development of the failed Ginn Sur Mer project in West End. He talked about his ideas of a seafood farm and straw market for West End and getting boaters from Florida to visit frequently in an effort to give the area a much needed economic boost.

Peter Turnquest, deputy leader of the FNM, described Mr Butler as “an icon in business” and “a fierce defender” of the rights of Bahamians.

“It is with great shock and sadness that the FNM, especially those of us on Grand Bahama, learned of the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Jeffrey Bernard Butler,” he said.

“Jeff was an icon in business and the social community of Grand Bahama, and generously contributed to our civic life. His fights with the establishment for fair treatment and honest representation are legendary,” he said.

Mr Turnquest continued: “He was a man of courage and conviction in his beliefs and was a fierce defender of his island, and particularly his beloved West End community which he hoped to represent nationally.

“His contributions to our party have been consistent and tangible, particularly to our candidates in West Grand Bahama and Bimini,” Mr Turnquest said.

The deputy leader also said that Mr Butler was an encouragement and source of strength to many persons.

“He was a fierce defender of the rights of residents, of our independence, empowerment and promoted to all that would listen, the development goals he hoped to see in our country, island and, of course, West End for which he has a particular love and commitment,” he added.

“Jeff will be missed by all of us and we thank him and his family for his contributions to our party, our community and our country,” Mr Turnquest said.