The Tribune

EDITOR, the Tribune.

On Friday, August 4, 2017, I was very sad to hear of Sir Geoffrey Johnstone’s passing.

I extend my sincere sympathy and condolences to his beloved dear wife, Lady Ann Johnstone and family.

I wrote a letter to Mr Johnstone in November of 1998, just before he retired from H & J law firm. This letter will describe who Mr Johnstone is in my honest and humble opinion. My letter, dated November 23, 1998, reads as follows:

“Dear Mr Johnstone, just a few words to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to a dear friend, my boss and my employer. As you know, I first joined Higgs & Johnson back in 1969 and was with the firm until 1973. Then I had the good fortune in coming back a second time in 1985 and am with you up until the present. You said to me in the Search Dept “Welcome back a second time” and I thank you so much for those kind words.

“I have known you now over 29 years and I would like you to know that it has been an honour and a privilege to have served under such a fine and distinguished gentleman, leader, boss, ‘Captain of the ship called Higgs & Johnson’. My years with this honourable and prestigious establishment have been a blessing and a learning experience in my life and I am deeply grateful and thankful for everything you have done for me over the years and to have been associated with such a fine person and gentleman as yourself, Mr Johnstone.

“I have learned a lot from you and I will never forget you. You are a great role model for everyone to emulate.

“With your profession as a very successful and distinguished businessman and attorney and entering into the political arena, being in the Legislature, House of Assembly, Acting Governor-General, Ambassador, Statesman, Sportsman in various fields, ‘Friend to all’, serving your country and Church to the fullest, a ‘true Bahamian and a son of the soil’, Almighty God has blessed you tremendously.

“If anyone deserves to be knighted by Her Majesty the Queen, it is you, Mr Johnstone. You have served your country well. I sincerely hope and pray that this distinguished honour is bestowed upon you in the very near future. I believe that this will be the pivotal crowning of your illustrious and brilliant career. Truly one can say without fear of contradiction, you are a ‘man for all seasons’.

“I extend my love and sincere best wishes and God’s blessings to you, Mr Johnstone and in your well deserved retirement.

“There will never be another ‘Mr J’, who always has encouraging words to uplift his employees and fellow man. Your pleasant and warm smile, your humour, your compassionate understanding and all the other wonderful qualities you possess will be greatly missed.

“May Almighty God continue to bless you with health and strength and stay in ‘top shape’ is my prayer. I look forward to the opportunity in reading your book when it is finished, Mr Johnstone. I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you.

Love and best wishes,

God bless you,

Your friend always,

Tony Zervos

Three years later Mr Johnstone received his knighthood from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Well done, Sir Geoffrey, you really deserved this distinguished honour. It couldn’t have happened to a better person.

Truly he was a great Bahamian. He loved his country, he was a friend to all. I will repeat again, “he is a man for all seasons”.

Sir Geoffrey, in his brilliant career, has fought a good fight to the very end and kept the faith. The Lord saw that it was time for him to come home for his eternal rest. This is what he lived and died for.

The Apostle Paul said in 2nd Timothy Chapter 4, verses 7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love His appearing”.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

May your soul rest in peace, Sir Geoffrey.

Sincerely in Christ,

TONY G ZERVOS

Nassau,

August 9. 2017.