Oh what singing, oh what shouting! Onthat happy morning in the Settlement of Black Point, South Andros. The news rang out that anotherson was born to the proud parents of Terevous & Victoria McPhee. They namedhim Howard as the calendar showed 4thAugust 1938. He was the youngest of seven children
He received his early education at theKemp’s Bay Seventh-Day Adventist All-Age school. At the age of 19, in 1957, hemoved to Nassau, where his entrepreneurial spirit shone as he established abarber shop. After a year, he decided to seek new opportunities in the UnitedStates, where he worked on the Contract for many years. It was during this timehe became a father to his first son Howard Scott.
On 26 April 1967, after returning toThe Bahamas, Howard married the lovely Catherine Fernander. Their union wasblessed with four sons. Howard was a man of diverse skills and workedin several fields throughout his life. He was a Master Painter and also skilledin tile laying. Later, he transitioned to the insurance industry, where hespent many years before ultimately serving as a Security Officer and worked at BahamasTechnical & Vocational Institute until his retirement. The Government of the Bahamas acknowledge hishonesty and dedication and deemed him worthy to become one of the BahamasJustice of Peace. He loved to fish. In his spare time, every moment would find him on thesea pulling in those big groupers, mutton fish and even sometime shad fish.
A devout Seventh-Day AdventistChristian, Howard was deeply involved in his church communities which included,New Providence S.D.A. Church and Real Harvest S.D.A. Church. He served as botha deacon and an elder, finding great joy in leading prayer meetings andspeaking during divine services.
In 2017, Howard was diagnosed withdiabetes. Demonstrating his characteristic determination, he chose to managehis condition through diet and exercise, eliminating animal products from hisdiet and committing to a rigorous daily exercise routine. His lifestyle changesled to significant health improvements and weight loss.
However, in 2020, the COVID-19pandemic forced many, including Howard, to limit public activities. As hecurtailed his daily walks, his health began to decline, and he experienced poorcirculation and the early onset of dementia.
One day while visiting Howard, his nephewEdgar was concerned with his uncle’s state of mind. Edger then called Howard’s nieceAndrea, a retired Senior Nursing Officer to also visit and assess his condition. She noticed Howard’s condition had worsened sincethe day before and called the ambulance who took him to the hospital. He wasadmitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday, 6th July, andsuccumbed to his illness the following day at 7:30 p.m.
Howard McPhee Sr. will be rememberedfor his dedication to his faith, his family and his community. His legacy ofresilience, hard work, and devotion will continue to inspire all who knew him.
He was preceded in deathby his parents: Terevous & Victoria McPhee, sisters; Myrtle and Leomi and brothers; Edgar, Stanley,Arthur and Rueben McPhee
May he rest in peace. Left to cherish his precious memories are:
His loving & devoted wifeof 57 years, Catherine McPhee.
Sons: Howard (Marie) Scott, Colin (Elaine)Ferguson, Howard Jr. (Golda), Dexter (Andrea) and Jamal McPhee.
Granddaughters: Chalyse and Kylie Scott, Roshanda and ThaliaFerguson, Teja and De-Andra McPhee.
Grandsons: Keon Scott, Colin Ferguson Jr., RichieGoodman, Tarran, De-Antae and Jamal Jr. McPhee.
Sister: Ruthlee Smith
Sister inlaw: ErmaMcPhee
Nieces: Marjorie (Audley) Rahming, Christine (Isaac)Lamazon, Alma (Dave) Richardson, Andrea (Brenard) Linden, Patrice (Whitney)Scavella, Barbara Alceus, Geleta Simon, Lenamae Munroe, Clara Mae Burkett,Bloneva McPhee, Zilpha Howard, Victoria Brigham, Earlene Munnings, Alimae Dean,Janetha McPhee, Victoria (Roderick) Rolle, Jenny Wilson, Joyce Roberts,Jessiemae McPhee, Evelyn Pierre, Regina McPhee, Cassandra (Ronnie) Green,Sherry (Paul) Miller, Esther, Gabriella, Shanelle (Collen), Andria, Ruby,Bridgette, Denise and Pamela.
Nephews: Dr. Leon (Alveria) Higgs, Perry and CliffordBalfour, Stanley, Edgar, Floyd & Walter McPhee, Charles, David, Lloyd &Kelson Smith, Glen, Alvin (Karen), Willis (Peggy), Greg, & Thomas McPhee, Lavardo,Oscar, & Floyd McPhee, Austin, Ricardo, Emerson and Allen.
Numerous Grandniecesand Grandnephews including:
Shantell, Enrico, Stantaffita andStanley III McPhee, Nathalie Demeritte, Laquita Thompson, Dario, Latoya,Lakeisha and Lavado McPhee, Ramon, Raheem and Rashad Munnings, Glenda Mcphee,Ralden, Danario and Jaden Dean, Jeffranique Gibson, Nikita Mckenzie, Raynardand Robyn Rolle. Melinda Jones, LaShannStrachan, Lakisha Ferguson, Brendeka (CPL2757 Wayne) Duncombe, LatoyaRahming, Jessica, Jessilin & Alicia Rolle, Brianna & Evanique Pierre,Eardinique Culmer, Virganiqua, Virganayah, Virganeshia, Tamia, ArthuriniqueMcPhee. Wilfred, Ricardo, Virgil Jr. & R/CPL 733 Jaketo (Dale) McPhee.Dwayne (Ida) Roberts Sr., Brian Pierre Jr., Harrison Jr. & Cedric Wilson, SharmaCulmer & Alexander Rahming. Tafari, Mirosh, Levar(Ashanti), Marcus Higgs, Monique (David) Cenatus, Audley (Monique), Prenell,Monique, Kendolyn, Pastor Leonardo (Paulyn) Rahming. Tiffany Simms, Veola(Deon) Stewart, Pastor Manassah (Kenisha) Simms, Olympia Kelly, Shekera (Deantre) McDonald, Nathan(Cristovia) Linden, Da’Veechi Smith, Allisha Brown, and Brittany Lundy. Bridgette Romer, Keturah (Marcus) Chambliss,Jerell Coleman McPhee, Meagan McPhee, LaMar Romer, Ronnell Green, Ronaldo(Bronte) Green, Makaila McPhee, Makenzie McPhee, Makuri McPhee, Ivan McPhee,Kameron McPhee, Emma McPhee, Dominique McPhee, Zylandria Williams. Paulé& Lavin Bowe, Paul jr., Princess & Prince Miller, Winston, Jasmin,Joshua, Ezekiel, & Bobbi Brown Smith and a host of great-grand nieces,great-grand nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Special mention: Pastor Catherine Roker (cousin)
Other Relativesand friends including: PastorCasildo & Bridgette Benett, Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe, Pastor Peter Joseph andtheir families, Donnie & Charise Rolle, Michael Smith and family, Ms. BettyBell & family, Desiree Fernander & family, Don and Olga Major &family, Amanda Lundy & family, Rochelle Lindo & family, FlorenceRahming & family, Edward & Caroline Mckenize & family. Shirley Miller and family. Real Harvest andNew Providence Seventh-Day Adventist Church Families. The South BahamasConference of Seventh-Day Adventist, The entire community of Summer Haven SouthBeach. Ministry of Education Security Department.
Special Thanks: Doctors and nurses and support staff at thePrinces Margaret Hospital.
