Rick Lowe
One of my Bahamian heroes, Jackson Burnside passed away yesterday in the company of his wife Pam, daughters Ebony and Orchid and Ebony's boyfriend Tom after a brief illness.
Jackson's profile at his company web site (Jackson Burnside Ltd), beside all of his great educational accomplishments and successes says:
He is an artist and cultural advocate and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizens Award for the Creative and Performing Arts, and The 2008 Bahamas Home and Builders Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in community and cultural affairs and he is Chairman Emeritus and a Designer of the ‘One Family’ Junkanoo and Community Organization Group.
In other words he was a special person.
But there is something more. Something so unique that I just can't find the right words to explain it.
I can say that when you were in his company you were always made welcome. If he was lecturing or just having a conversation everyone seemed satisfied, wanting more of his valuable lessons in life.
His wife Pam, always at his side, is equally as wonderful.
Together they made a formidable team.
The Bahamas will miss Mr. Burnside. His friends will feel the void for years to come. He leaves a legacy that will not be surpassed.
He also leaves a family that he obviously loved dearly, and they loved him. I hope that will sustain them in the tough weeks ahead.
On behalf of my wife and I, we send our love and the assurance that Jackson will never be forgotten around our house. In fact he deserves a special place in our country's history books.
Rest in Peace Jackson.
