NASSAU, BAHAMAS –I was saddened to learn today of the passing of Neville Wisdom.
Neville came from a remarkable family of Bahamians for whom service was a way of life. E. P. Roberts was an educator whose contribution is remembered in the primary school that bears his name. Neville’s mother, Dorothy Wisdom, served with my own mother in the ATS during World War II; they were among the women we remember as the Brave Eleven. Anthony Roberts served as Cabinet Minister, diplomat and priest; Patrick Roberts as a physician; Danny Johnson as Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament; Sylvia Johnson through the Children’s Emergency Hostel; Italia Johnson as a Member of Parliament and our first woman Speaker of
the House of Assembly; and Andrea Wisdom made important contributions to early childhood education.
They did not all share the same politics. There were PLPs and FNMs among them, including Members of Parliament. But service was bigger than politics. They shared a commitment to God, family, country and service to others.
Neville carried that tradition forward as educator, coach, Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister. But when I think of Neville, I think especially of young people.
Long before he became Minister responsible for Youth, Sports and Culture, Neville was on the track with the Bain Town Flyers, identifying and developing young Bahamian talent. He had a gift for seeing possibility before young people could see it in themselves. Pauline Davis has described herself as a “barefoot girl from Fleming Street” when Neville recognized her potential and persuaded her father to allow her to train. He worked with her to develop that potential, and she would later describe Neville as her “coach dad.” Neville saw beyond what was then apparent. And once he saw possibility, he went to work. Four o’clock in the morning meant practice. No excuses. Neville understood that talent was a gift, but without discipline, hard work and commitment, it would take you only so far.
He coached Frank Rutherford, who became our first Olympic track and field medalist; Troy Kemp, our first world champion; Pauline Davis, our first Olympic track gold medalist; and four of the five women we came to know as our Golden Girls. Those achievements belong to the athletes who earned them. But somewhere in each of their stories is Neville Wisdom, seeing the talent, insisting upon the work, opening doors and staying the course.
For Neville, it was never simply about medals. He was investing in young Bahamians. That was his cause. When he became a Cabinet Minister, public office gave him a larger field on which to pursue it. The portfolio did not create the passion. The passion came first.
There is something in Neville’s story, and in his family’s story, worth remembering about ourselves. They remind us of what can be accomplished through discipline, hard work and commitment to something beyond ourselves, and that even where we differ, including
politically, we can remain united by love of country and commitment to each other.
Neville’s love of Junkanoo reflected that same commitment. His involvement long preceded public office. Sport, culture and young people were not simply responsibilities assigned to him; they were part of who he was.
Neville came from a family that lived service. His particular gift was helping others discover what they were capable of becoming.
I remember Neville with affection and respect and extend my deepest condolences to Manita, Donovan and the family.
Neville has crossed his finish line.
Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Take your much-deserved rest.
-Allyson Gibson
