BROOKLYN, New York — Paying tribute to his late brother Bishop Uzziah B. Cooper at his funeral service on Saturday, April 29, at Crown Heights Church of God of Prophecy, 467 Rutland Road, Brooklyn, New York, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said, “I will just say out front that I have seen much loss and much tragedy in my personal and public life in years past, but this is new. I wondered how I would do this without crying; but I am comforted by the fact that I may not have any tears left.”
Noting that he lost his father when he was five years old, the Deputy Prime Minister added: “Uzziah filled that role, while still filling the role of being my brother. The pain of the day he died was like losing my father again, but perhaps deeper in that he filled that role for so many more years. As his son, he has literally supported everything I have ever done.”
Following is the full text of the tribute paid to his brother by Deputy Prime Minister Cooper, who is also Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation:
“I stand on established protocols. I acknowledge my sister Minister Aphri, Ziah, Llew and Drommie. Distinguished Ministers, Bishop Franklin & Sister Rowena and all those Ministers, family and friends, who travelled from the Bahamas to be here, including Pastor Devard Francis from Southland Church of God in Nassau, Bahamas. I also recognize Bahamas Consul General to New York Mr. Leroy Major.
I thank you all for being here to honor and celebrate my brother Uzziah.
I consider it a great privilege and honor to bring these brief remarks on behalf of me and my siblings.
I will just say out front that I have seen much loss and much tragedy in my personal and public life in years past, but this is new. I wondered how I would do this without crying; but I am comforted by the fact that I may not have any tears left.
As stoic as I try to be, I may not be able to say all that I wish to say in this moment, but as Uzziah taught me, we must all do our best.
I lost my father when I was five years old.
Uzziah, filled that role, while still filling the role of being my brother.
The pain of the day he died was like losing my father again, but perhaps deeper in that he filled that role for so many more years.
As his son, he has literally supported everything I have ever done.
As I grew older, I realized how much I look like him. He truly was a handsome fella.
With the same fatherly devotion, he was a surrogate grandfather to my children. Chelsea, Izak & Chloe and they loved him.
In later years it was common to get a WhatsApp or text from him might say, “Chester and CC will be in Nassau on first flight tomorrow”.
Uzziah loved our home, and upon arrival he always got a house key and a car key and we knew the green room was his room. He looked forward to these trips and we loved having him there.
We knew he would go for beach swims at Goodman’s Bay early in the morning, and that he would get a fish or cracked conch snack before he left.
He liked coffee in the mornings, with Guava Jam and Toast for his breakfast.
Predictable he was.
Sundays were his church visit day and he would be gone the entire day after breakfast.
He came and he was sometimes talkative but often quiet and reflective, helpful and always engaged with our children.
He picked them up from school and always came back home with big conversations or looking at cool trucks on his computer.
When Cecillia’s dad died, he flew down and volunteered to help in whichever way he could, that was the type of person he was. Maybe it was fixing a lock, or a broken chair or a kind word. He took pride in leaving things at our home better than he met them.
Uzziah was very intentional about planting a mango tree in our yard a few years ago and would always come and check its growth, he said “If it doesn’t bear, then cut it down” That’s the manner of this man, he planted trees from which he knew he would not eat. He planted trees from which his children and grandchildren would benefit.
Uzziah was selfless, strong, generous, helpful, warm, compassionate and considerate
For, me he was also a trusted advisor and friend.
He was a role model and a blessing to my siblings and family members.
When I needed cash for a field trip, Uzziah was there.
When my mother needed hospice care, she came to New Jersey and Uzziah was there.
For his siblings, nieces and nephews whether for celebrations or crises, uzziah was there.
There was a running joke among my nieces and nephews about whether I was my mom’s favorite or was Uzziah.
Ever the comforting diplomat, she said she didn’t play favorites.
But you know, I had my own thoughts.
For the traffic stop in that small town in Georgia and the tragedies in Freeport and Exuma; Uzziah was there too.
For the weddings, the divorces, college acceptances and graduations; the christenings and the funerals, Uzziah was there.
He was a good man all around, and that brother and uncle that everyone called.
He was a source of inspiration and aspiration to his brothers and sisters.
In 1980, the year the PC was invented, he got a Masters’ Degree in Computer Science.
And when he bought his first yellow Ford Mustang in 1981, as a young boy I knew that he had arrived and I wanted to be just like him.
He taught my sister Charlotte and me to speak properly, to eat our dinner at the table, to properly use our fork and knife, to get a good education and for God’s sake, do the right thing.
He always wanted to know that everyone was doing something positive and progressive.
He taught me about hard work. As a kid when I spent weeks at a time with him. I learnt how much he enjoyed construction, and how much I hated it. It may have been that hard work, that made up my mind that I was going to college and I would be an academic. [As I reflect, that may have been considered child -labor in some countries].
His children were the younger siblings I never had.
When Ziah and DD came to visit the island for the summer, I now know that he wanted them to understand and never forget where they came from.
He insisted that they knew the Coopers and the Hamiltons.
He was a model father; he loved his children fiercely and was proud of all of them.
His first born, who carries his name, was his beloved son in whom he was proud and well-pleased.
When he lost his second son, DD, to COVID, it truly broke his heart to bury his child.
I know that his prayer and last wish was to see Llew become a doctor and he certainly did, so maybe he thought his work here was done.
Llew, your dad would have given an organ to see you fulfil your dream. So, no pressure, but you must succeed.
And he doted on his baby Drommie, I cud hear him now…”Drommie book me a ticket to…” He loved her. He spoilt her. But like his mother, he didn’t play favorites.
He gave of himself in so many ways, spiritually, emotionally and financially.
As a businessman and an investment manager, I often reflected that if he were tight-fisted and frugal, he would have been a very wealthy man.
He lived a legacy of love and service.
As a poor boy from a small town with a population of 45 and from a small country of 400,000 he made his mark on the world as a professional computer engineer and a Bishop in the COGOP. But he was called to help others, to lead others.
He knew that his treasures were laid up waiting for him in Heaven.
He was an academic and a scholar.
He was a leader and a pastor.
He was an accomplished author.
He was bold and progressive.
He was a talker; and he was incredibly wise.
He had a big heart and a dry sense of humor and a healthy laugh.
And he was our guiding compass, which kept our eyes watching God.
He was the glue for our family and a counselor to many.
He was my support system in matters personal, political, business financial and spiritual.
He trusted me implicitly and I did him.
He would do anything for me as I would for him.
He was proud of me and I of him.
He loved us and I loved him.
He loved me and I loved him.
And though I wanted more – more conversations, more memories, more time, more love, what we had will have to suffice and it will last my lifetime and beyond.
And if there is any comfort to be had, it is in that and knowing he is with God.
On behalf of all of my wife, my siblings, my nieces and nephew, our friend The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; and on behalf of all of his friends and family and the grateful people of the Bahamas. We thank you for your love and respect for Bishop Uzziah Cooper.
We will miss you, Uzziah.
Rest in Peace and enjoy eternity in Glory.
I can truly hear him now say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”.
May God bless and keep you.
Interment was in the George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey.
HERE’S A LINK TO DPM CHESTER COOPER’S TRIBUTE TO HIS BROTHER BISHOP UZZIAH B. COOPER
https://www.facebook.com/teamcooper242ex/videos/3525771537746922
