By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2021 – I had already wished Kelly Burrows, who lives in Freeport, Grand Bahama, a Happy Birthday on his Facebook Page, but I simply had to share the photo accompanying this article that was posted by Senator Fred Mitchell and again wish my very good friend for many years a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
As Senator Mitchell noted in the narrative accompanying the photo, he and Leader of the Opposition Philip “Brave” Davis joined Mr. Burrows at Mass at Holy Spirit Anglican Church in Chippingham, New Providence, to mark his 75th birthday.
In a comment later on his Facebook page, Mr. Burrows expressed “profound thanks to all of you for your kind sentiments in contributing to me having the best birthday of my life.”
He noted that during the weekend of partying, Champagne flowed from my arrival on Friday” and included “a lavish meal at JWB Prime Steak House and Seafood.”
“Many thanks to my son Dillon and his wife, Denica, and Father Deangelo Bowe and his wife Tennessee for hosting a sumptuous luncheon in my honor today, for which I’m very grateful,” Mr. Burrows noted. “It was a priceless weekend. My thanks to all who attended the Church service at Holy Spirit Anglican Church, especially the Honorable Philip Davis, Honorable Fred Mitchell, and Mrs. Loretta Butler Turner. My heartfelt gratitude to you all!!!”
A well-respected hospitality industry professional in Grand Bahama for many years, Mr. Burrows began his career in the hospitality industry at the Montague Beach Hotel in Nassau before moving on to the Nassau Beach Hotel. He subsequently worked at Loews Hotel on Paradise Island, returning to The Nassau Beach In 1971 before relocating to Freeport in 1973. However, his first job in Freeport was not in the hotel industry, but as a timekeeper at Hersant Ballist “Burma’s Oil,” where he worked for four years.
In 1977, Mr. Burrows was hired by Holiday Inn as Food Service Manager, and in 1979 he was offered a position at the Princess Towers as Senior Assistant Food and Beverage Manager. In 1981 he was promoted to Regional Senior Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, with total responsibility of all restaurants, banquet functions, and conventions catering sections for both the hotel and casino.
He remained with Princess for 25 years, subsequently joining Tropical Shipping in 2004 as Island Manager for four years before retiring due to health challenges. However, he served as a consultant for two years.
Mr. Burrows served on the Board of Directors for Bahamasair for four years, the Bahamas Development Bank for three years, and was an initial Director for RND Entertainment and Theaters.
An avid Anglican, he has been a member of the Pro Cathedral of Christ The King for the past 47 years. He has served on the Vestry for 15 years and was the first President of the Social Outreach Committee.
He is married to Angela “McKinney” Burrows and they have two children, Kelly Jr and Kenda.
Kelly’s son from his first marriage, Dillon, is following in his footsteps in the hospitality industry, having started at the Princess after graduating High School, later moving to Our Lucaya and then to Bimini Bay serving in Food and Beverage Management. He subsequently relocated to Nassau at Atlantis as Beverage Manager. He recently completed a four-week course on wines at Napa Valley Distributors in California and presently at the Pointe as Beverage Manager.
