Former House Speaker Oswald Ingraham passes

Former House Speaker Oswald Ingraham passes
Oswald Ingraham

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former parliamentarian Oswald Ingraham passed away at the age of 83 at Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday, November 23, an official statement from the government confirmed.

Ingraham previously served as the Central and South Eleuthera MP, the speaker of the House of Assembly and as deputy to the governor general.

“Mr. Ingraham was born June 24, 1937, to Samuel and Marion Ingraham in Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera,” the statement read.

“He represented Central and South Eleuthera for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) from 2002 to 2012 and was elected the 50th speaker of the House of Assembly in 2002, serving until 2007.

“In his youth, in the early 1950s, he accepted a position of messenger and became the first Black employee at Barclays Bank in Eleuthera.

“In the early 1980s, he purchased a parcel of land in Tarpum Bay and eventually constructed a resort complex. He became a successful businessman in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“Mr. Ingraham was an active member of his community. A justice of the peace, he also served in the Association of Brethren in The Bahamas and the Eleuthera branch of Gideons International.”

Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Carl Culmer extended condolences in a statement on Tuesday.

“On behalf of the Free National Movement, I offer sincere condolences to the family of Oswald Ingraham on news of his death,” Culmer said.

“Ingraham, a successful businessman and native of Eleuthera, served as a member of Parliament, speaker of the House of Assembly and deputy to the governor general.

“We pray for his family and loved ones in their time of grief. May he rest in peace.”

PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis also expressed his condolences on behalf of his wife and members of his party.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of a good friend, a parliamentary colleague and businessman, Oswald Ingraham,” Davis said.

He added, “Oswald Ingraham lived a full life and made his contributions to The Bahamas in both the private and public sectors. We thank him for his service as he transitions into eternity.

“Death is not a full stop, but a mere comma in the sentence of life, therefore, Oswald may be absent in the flesh but present in the spirit as he lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him.”

Ingraham is survived by his wife, Marie, and children Terry, Dwight, Wayne, Jackie, Wendy and Velma.