Phenton Neymour pictured after voting in the 2017 election.
FORMER Member of Parliament Phenton Neymour has died, it was confirmed on Monday night.
The former South Beach MP had recently spoken out about his health, announcing his support for medical marijuana, saying that the treatment had saved his life when battling stage three colon rectal cancer in 2014. The cause of his death was not revealed last night.
Mr Neymour was Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment from 2008 until 2012, and had expressed disappointment ahead of last year’s election that he had not been chosen as the candidate for Exuma. During the PLP administration, he was a regular critic of Leslie Miller’s tenure as chairman of what is now Bahamas Power and Light.
He announced his support for medical marijuana earlier this month, amid the debate over legislation on the issue. He stressed he would not support the legalisation of marijuana for recreational use, but criticised the government for its weak stance on the issue.
“It is something that saved my life,” he said, “I had no appetite, I couldn’t eat, nausea, felt bad all the time. Once I take the pill the only thing I did was fall asleep, the pill takes out that element that causes you to get high.”
He said that during his treatment he had to travel to Miami each time he needed medical marijuana for relief. This month, he said that he had been in remission twice and was currently cancer-free.
Earlier this month, Mr Neymour told The Nassau Guardian: “You got to enjoy now. You don’t know what tomorrow brings; that’s why I have enjoyed the time with my wife, I count each day as my last day, that’s how I live now.”
He studied at St Paul’s College in Freeport and Queen’s College in Nassau, before earning bachelor and masters degrees from Syracuse University, New York. He also obtained a MBA degree from the University of Miami, and served as the local president of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He was also a pilot, with more than 16 years’ flying experience. He worked as an engineer, and was involved in the trade union movement for 11 years.
He is the father of four children.
Comments
OMG 6 years, 5 months ago
Tragic.
JohnDoes 6 years, 5 months ago
Very Sad.
geostorm 6 years, 5 months ago
The Bahamas has lost another son. Take your rest Phenton. You join the ranks of Charles Maynard, Dr. B.J. Nottage and Teresa Moxey Ingraham. All of you did your best to serve our country. We are grateful for your service no matter what our political persuasion. May your family receive the comfort that only our Savior can provide and may your soul and the souls of all the dearly departed rest in peace.
TalRussell 6 years, 5 months ago
I didn't know former politician Comrade Phenton who just passed away but there is hypocrisy in way some in "public ear" are thinking to have locked arms him just days before Comrade Phenton's passing. My condolences family members.
PastorTroy 6 years, 5 months ago
Godspeed my brother, thank you for your contribution to the progress of our nation. Thank you for the recent candid conversation on the legalization of cannabis; sadly there are many others still alive today that can be saved from a plant, like you they are taking extreme measure to live and deal with their disease. We must act as a nation to help our fellow brothers and sisters who are dying some hereditary, but many because of our lifestyle choices and the food we are consuming in this globalized economy. There is no reason for our Government to allow freshwater fish into our country an archipelago but they do, We must educate ourselves to take care of our bodies now, we must ask questions now when buying cooked food "Is this fish local?" "Is this freshwater fish?" "Is this wild caught or farm raised fish?" We are eating and drinking excessive poison and expect to live and live healthily. My condolences to the family.
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 5 months ago
Sincere condolences to his family
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