The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GOLD COAST, Australia — It was a somber moment in the Bahamas Olympic Committee on hearing of the death of their office manager Debron Moxey.

It was just about a year ago that Moxey replaced Al Diliette at the BOC’s office in the JS Johnson Building on Soldier Road. She became the face of the office as she was the first to greet everyone when they entered the doors and her infectious smile ensured that if she couldn’t help you, she would get the answers that you needed before you left.

BOC president Rommel ‘Fish’ Knowles described Moxey as a humble extraordinary young lady, whom he will sorely miss for the role she played. Moxey, 31, was the daughter of Charlene Moxey and the grandniece of former Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt. She was killed in a car accident over the weekend.

“Today, I’m saddened to have lost a member of our Olympic family,” said Knowles, who didn’t make the trip Down Under in Australia for the games. “She was a key member of our office, who kept us glued together. She was with us for just over a year, but she was so excited about being a part of our family.

“She was astute, smart and beautiful. She was sarcy at times, stubborn on occasions, but she had a very pleasant and humble spirit. I can say without hesitation that she was reliable. and mature for her young age. I don’t know what I will do without Debron because she had become my pillow of strength, the wind beneath my wings.”

Just last November when the BOC held its election of officers and Knowles moved up from secretary general to become the new president, he recalled how Moxey, who was supposed to be sitting and monitoring the election, came over to him to hug and congratulate him. He said although he tried to caution her, Moxey remained humbled, yet excited with the outcome.

“She got along very well with everybody. I don’t know of anyone who could say one ill word about Debron,” Knowles stated. “She will be missed. She was at CARIFTA on Saturday night and was looking forward to going back to the closing ceremonies on Monday.

She befriended all of the Olympic movement presidents and secretary generals in the Bahamas and ensured that she did all she could to assist them.”

So I express condolences to her mother and to her family, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees have expressed their condolences as well and I suppose it’s only a matter of time before we get condolences from the International Olympic Committee family.”

Roy Colebrooke, the Chef de Mission for Team Bahamas here, said he worked closely with Moxey to ensure that everything was set up for the games before he left.

“She had a very nice personality, very enthusiastic and she loved sport,” he stressed. “I think the sporting community has lost a very important person. Definitely the BOC has lost a gem. She is our collegiate and a very important person. She was just getting the hang of what it took to run the office. We are all going to miss her.”

At some point before the week is out when all of the 31 members of Team Bahamas is here, Colebrooke said they intend to hold a memorial type service in honour of Moxey.

Cora Hepburn, a vice president of the BOC, who is also here with Team Bahamas, said it’s a hard pill to swallow, considering the fact that she believes that Moxey was sent to the sports leaders in the country to teach them humility.

Debron, for her age group, in comparison with the average 30-year-old in our community, was the most humble individual that she has met in a very long time, particularly in sports.

“You could ask Debron to do 100 tasks and she would never complain,” Hepburn said.

“You can point out the errors and she would never, never get upset or show you any remorse or any rudeness. She was the most humble young person that I have met in a very long time.”

As a mother of a 25-year-old daughter and 32-year-old son, Hepburn said when she got the phone call from Nassau here in Australia, she was taken off her feet.

“I am still here trying to figure all of that out,” Hepburn said. “But we will have to go through that. But to leave someone at home in high spirits and to get the news like that here, it was very, very devastating.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard expressed his condolences on behalf of the government, stating that this year the Bahamian sporting community has lost several high profile leaders and former athletes and that the frequency with which the country mourns demonstrates the fragility of life and the unpredictability of death.

“Our sports community once again has suffered tremendous loss with the tragic passing of Miss Debron Moxey,” he said. “Debron played a pivotal role managing the office of the Bahamas Olympic Committee. Her professionalism and dedication has assisted the BOC in positively impacting sports development in The Bahamas.

“The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture extends our collective sympathy to her family, friends and the BOC and its affiliates on the passing of a young, talented Bahamian woman, who would be greatly missed. All those who met Debron will no doubt treasure the memories she helped to create in their lives. May her soul rest in peace and it is my prayer that God would grant comfort and peace to all those whose hearts ache in this difficult period.”