Birthand childhood
It was December13th in the year of our Lord, 1948, in the sleepy quaint settlementof Snug Corner, Acklins, when the news was heralded of Bethel and Couley’s newblessing. He was christened Ivan Edward Ferguson, the 6th of 12children.
As a publicschool headmaster, Bethel Ferguson instilled discipline and achievement in allhis children, especially Ivan; who was his travel companion on severalredeployments throughout the islands of The Bahamas. It was during thesespecial times that Ivan’s inexhaustible passion for ocean life was fueled.
Educationand preparation for life
Ivan’seducational journey commenced at the Acklins All Age School, several FamilyIsland Schools and continued at the Claridge Road and Southern Senior schools;when the Fergusons relocated to New Providence.
Recognizing hispassion and aptitude for technical education, Ivan matriculated through TheBahamas Technical School, where he explored trades in carpentry andauto-mechanic. Ivan’s father was deliberate and intentional in preparing hischildren for life. Just before his demise, Bethel took Ivan to secure a job asan Auto Mechanic at Bahamas Bus and Truck. This deliberate act would secureIvan’s financial future and countless others who would rely on his sustenance.Ivan tinkered with cars up to his passing.
Marriageand family
From their highschool years, Ivan fixed his eyes on Sally-Ann Curry and in early 1970, shebecame the bride of his youth. They worked together and within three years,acquired their home in Eastern Estates, a community where the family resides tothis day.
In six years, thecouple had a brood of three little ones and Ivan was the doting dad-ever-present and lovingly engaged. The family circle was completed some yearslater, and they welcomed the baby of the clan, Ivan-Ya. All of his children infact received “I” names to signify belonging.
FamilyLove
Ivan’s familycommitment extended beyond his immediate family. Family times included fishingtrips, bird hunting, beach days, and of course family vacations.
Ivan’s love andcare was genuine and his generosity was heartfelt. He believed in family andwould do anything for his siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins
The glory ofIvan’s latter years was the arrival of his grandchildren. Seandira, Ichiro and Illiahwere his heartstrings and his world revolved around them. He picked up anddropped off, made breakfast and delivered lunch, and ran around daily, toaccommodate their every move. He was present at every school or church event,cheering the loudest and smiling the brightest.
Workand Career
For over thirtyyears, Ivan committed his life to Bahamas Bus and Truck as a skilled mechanicand eventually head mechanic. It was at Bahamas Bus and Truck that he builtlifelong friendships and good clients that he would serve for decades.
After retiringfrom Bahama Bus and Truck, in the early 1990’s, Ivan branched out on his ownand Fergie’s Tune-Up and Auto Parts, was born. He and his wife built it fromthe ground up and credited their success more to their generosity and desire tolove and serve others, than their marketing strategies or amazing businessacumen. Fergie’s Turn Up staff became family and although it was transitionalfor many, it was a stop with “Papi” that no one ever forgot.
When Ivan finallyretired, he went full time into serving his grandchildren and enjoying hisfavorite hobbies of boating, fishing, carpentry and boat-building.
Churchand Community
When Couley andBethel relocated from Acklins, the family settled at the Annex Baptist Church,where Ivan committed his life to Christ and immediately began service to Him.Ivan faithfully served under Rev. Alexander Black and later under ApostleMitchel Jones.
From thebeginning of his Christian journey, Ivan understood that service to God and hispeople was the evidence of good stewardship and demonstration of love anddevotion to Christ. As the church bus driver for decades, he proved faithful.As a church usher for decades, Ivan proved faithful. As an ordained Deacon fordecades, he proved faithful. As the leader of Men’s Fellowship for decades, heproved faithful. As a member of the local church Choir for decades, Ivan provedfaithful. As the President of the Inter-denominational Men’s Ministry andChoir, Ivan has proven faithful and as an ordained Elder in the church, Ivanproved faithful. Everything that was placed in this servant’s hand- has beenexecuted to the Glory of God and the edification of His people.
Resiliencyamidst challenges
Ivan’s realitywas littered with many of life’s challenges. From untimely deaths of loved onesto personal health issues, Ivan learned resilience and dependency on God.
At the age of 50years, Ivan had his first major health crisis. A blockage in his heart made itnecessary for him to have triple bypass open heart surgery. The Lord wasgracious and Ivan came out committed to living a longer and fuller life. Hechanged his diet and began a ‘walking and cycling regimen; that continued tothe time of his demise.
Nearly ten yearsafter his first major surgery, Ivan discovered that he had prostate cancer.Once again, he placed his trust in God and Jehovah Rophi saw him through.
Two weeks ago athis 75th birthday celebrations, he declared that he was not only ingood spirits but in top shape and good health. He was strong and determined tofight to the very end of his life’s journey.
Leadershipand Service
Ivan gave his allin service to family, church, community and God. He volunteered at schools,mentoring young children and led many ministries at church. Deeply embedded inthe heart of Ivan was service. Without a title, He helped everywhere andeveryone he could. He became the unofficial carpenter for every school where hischildren served, assisting with school repairs. He used his time, tools andresources and expected nothing in return.
Fulland empty - Final Victory
His finalassignments in the week of his passing were to help with the repair work in theedifice at Nassau Fellowship Centre and to distribute ham and turkey to elderlymembers of the Annex Baptist Church. Ivan’s life was a life of service to Godand his people.
At his recent 75thbirthday celebration, Ivan shared how his life was blessed, because of hisfamily and friends with whom he shared amazing experiences.
Ivan worked hardand gave willingly, generously and sincerely. He declared that he had enjoyed afull life.
Those who encountered hisbenevolence, are the recipients of this full life and can attest that he isdeparting this Earth EMPTY. His work is complete. Our lives are enrichedbecause Ivan passed our way.
We resign to theWill of God and bid this servant of God-Farewell.
Ivan’s earthly house has beendissolved, but he has inherited a new home, a home not made with hands,eternal, in the heavens.
Ivanis Survived by his:
Wife:Sally Ferguson
Children:Iral Edward, Bishop Ian Ross, Pastor Tamara Tonia, Ivanya Inslay RemailiaFerguson & Indira Ann Simone Ferguson - Williams.
Grandchildren:Seandira Williams, Ichiro & Illiah Ferguson
Siblings:Kathleen, Lionel (Christina) Ferguson, Rev. Dr. Edris (Ernest) Bowe, MinisterJudy (John) Deveaux, Betty Greenslade, Pastor Ellison (Minister Leila)Greenslade, Alvin (Pandora) Greenslade, Edward (Katurah), Kendal (Marcella)Ferguson, Bishop Gloria Ferguson, Maud Ferguson, Edward McQuay & LincolnFerguson.
Sistersand Brothers In-law: Minister Joycelyn Simms, MinisterRoselyn (Pastor George Leroy) Lightbourne, Matthew Curry, Minister Sonja(Jeffrey) Rolle, Minister Suzanne Knowles, Pauline Curry, Deborah (Andrew)Darville and Ida Curry.
Nieces& nephews: Evangelist Evanette (Deangelo)Delancy, Rev. Brent (Evangelist Crystal), Rev. Dwayne (Evangelist Elizabeth)Ferguson; Avis Baker, Valarie (Edwin) Rolle, Claudette, Retired RBPF InspectorNeil (Gail), Elridge (Debbie) & Deputy Permanent Secretary Nicola Andrews;Pedro Ferguson, Dr. Renae Bufford, Sheniqua (Henry) Onongaya, Pastor DawnetteFerguson; BDOC Principal Chief Corrections Officer Charles (Valencia), Damaris,Pastor Randolph (Laverne), Benson (Densina) Curtis; Coshell (Dwayne) Nairn,Rondon & Brandon (Tanesha) McQuay; Omar (Tasia) Ferguson; LaRon (Kristi)& Larissa Ferguson; Lionel Jr & Leonardo Ferguson; Carmen Forbes, Lisa(Otis) Bowleg and Ken Andrews; Stacia Bowe-Williams, Leandro & N’KomoFerguson; Latisa Whyte; Dr. Nicolette, Ellison II, Elliott, and DestinyGreenslade; Calvin Greenslade; Petre (Sheniqua) and Parrell Curry; Kjoy &Keith Xavier Simms; Jethro & Jordan Rolle; Electa Knowles; Kyle & KaraDarville.
Grandnieces & nephews: Christopher (Deiatra) Jasmine,Baron (Shawnta) and Joshua Ferguson; Jermaine (Tamara), Jamal (Shawell) andJemellia Baker, Valicia, Valene, Vallyah Rolle, Neil Jr (Roshante), Brittney,Bria, Gaynell Andrews, Anton, & Ashton Andrews, Antonio Thompson; DeNieroFerguson, Taelor Ferguson, Charles & Isaiah Bufford, Sheniya Henfield; Charlos & Charzia Curtis, Lavelle,LaShanne (Zhyon) & Randolph Curtis Jr, Breah, Canaan and Camyra Curtis andKrizia Thompson; Shyon & Zoe Nairn; Kaedan & Ramiah McQuay; LaurenFerguson; Paquel, Paris, Paige &Joshua Curry and Kennedy Joy Caley.
NumerousGreat-Grand Nieces and Nephews
Cousins:thechildren of late Dexton & Belphine Ferguson, Minister Alice & BishopLeon Cox, Simeon & Ellamae Ferguson, Levina & Osbourne Cox, Cornelius& Mabel Ferguson, Ulric Ferguson, Gerald & Hilma Ferguson, Francina& Cleveland Hanna, Gerlene & Thomas Symonette and Donald Ferguson.
Specialfriends: Deacon Cecil & Deaconess Gurlena Jones, Deacon Robert & HannahDames, Ruel Forbes, Oral Ferguson, Deaconess Elvie Cunningham, Danny Deveaux,Livingston Brown, High Commissioner V. Alfred & Bessley Gray, Theophilus Cox,Rev. Lindsey & Eulene Williamson, Pastor Drexel & Minister BethelGibson, Bishop Wilbert & Pastor Martha Storr, Orean & JohnaeEdgecombe.
Theclergy of the Annex Baptist Church; ApostleMitchell & Julia Jones, Rev. Dr. Jackson (Euniece) Miller, Rev. Anthony(Marva) Cleare and Rev. Lorenzo (Lenora) Symonette.
Neighbors:Henry Gibson and family, Natalee McPhee and family, Beatrice Henfield andfamily, Tucker Williams and family, Dougal Small and family, Dr. Ross Smith andfamily, the Cooper family, Donna Johnson and family, the Culmer family, MajorieRahming and family, Cleomi Deane and family, Dr. Walker & family, SylvesterGeorge and family, Paula Bowleg, Marion Campbell, Kingsley Gibson, VernellEdwards, Renee Smith and Violet Beneby.
Numerousother relatives and friends including: Norman Dean,Rev. George Bodie, the family of late Felix & Ianthe Forbes especiallyKinesha Forbes, Annex Baptist Church Sunday School teachers, Home Ministry,Deacon’s board, Men’s Fellowship and the entire congregation;Interdenominational Men’s Ministry, Rev. Linden & Shapalle Knowles, thecustomers of Fergie’s Tune up & Auto Parts, Quincy Smith, Ricardo Henfield,Johnny Bowleg, Sharlene Strachan, Ludy, Trevor Styles and Ryan Russell, RonaldCollie, Roland Geoff, Brooks, Rev. Emily Demeritte, Shelia Bannister, AngelaReid, Elizabeth Ahwah-Roberts, Arnold & Belinda Wilson; Deacon Clifton& Tiffany Mortimer; Seanalee & Randesha Lewis; Paulette Glinton and theentire Nassau Fellowship Centre family, Ben Albury and the staff of Bahamas Bus& Truck.
May the soul of Ivan Ferguson Rest inPeace and Rise with Power!
