GUEST COMMENTARY: BY PHILIP “BRAVE” DAVIS
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is the tribute paid to the late Hon. Darrell E. Rolle, Q.C., former Cabinet Minister, by the Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, QC, Leader of the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), at the memorial service held for the former parliamentarian on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at the Lynden Pindling Center. Darrell and I forged a very strong friendship during the year that I spent in London (1968 -1969) on an advanced training course in journalism at the London Evening Standard. His roots were in Andros, and I am also a son of Andros, who was born and spent my boyhood years growing up in Stanyard Creek, so I am compelled to share this excellent tribute to him by Mr. Davis as a guest commentary for readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE.)
Good day to all.
I am honoured for the opportunity to participate in today’s expression of love as we pay tribute to and celebrate the life and work of our dear brother, colleague, friend, former Parliamentarian and Cabinet Minister, Darrell E. Rolle.
I regret that social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic does not allow for more of us to attend and pay tribute to our dearly departed brother.
Like many of you, I am also saddened at Darrell’s passing but I take comfort in the knowledge that he lived a full and purpose filled life for the seventy-seven years he sojourned with us.
I say full and purpose-filled because much of Darrell’s adult life was dedicated to the service of others in public life.
In many respects, his life story is closely linked to the Bahamian story. Born into humble circumstances, but overcame his circumstances through self confidence, industry, the din of hard work, self development and yes that intangible indomitable spirit that does not allow us to quit as a people.
A native of Lowe Sound, Andros, Mr. Rolle read law at the University of London, graduating with honours in 1969 before entering public life with the Progressive Liberal Party.
He would later earn an MBA from the University of Miami.
Following the death of Clarence A. Bain, Mr. Rolle became one of the youngest elected legislators on record when he succeeded Mr. Bain as the Member of Parliament for the Mangrove Cay Constituency, Central Andros, in a bye election in 1971.
At the time of Clarence’s death, Darrell was junior lawyer in Sir Lynden’s law firm. Sir Lynden obviously saw leadership potential in young Darrell and A clarion call to public service was made. Darrell accepted the call and would go on to serve in the House of Assembly with distinction until his retirement in 1997.
He served as leader of government business in the House.
During his distinguished career in public service which spanned twenty-six years, Darrell Rolle served as a Minister in the Pindling Cabinet, heading several government ministries. He served as Minister of Transport, 1974; Minister of Home Affairs, 1974-1979; Minister of Labour, 1977-1979; Minister of Education and Culture, 1979-1982; Minister of Works and Utilities, 1982-1984; Minister of Housing and National Insurance, 1984-1988; and Minister of National Security from 1990 to August 1992 when the Progressive Liberal Party was defeated in the general elections of that year.
Darrell Rolle was the youngest Cabinet Minister ever and one of the longest serving ministers of the Pindling Cabinet, eclipsed only by Sir Clement T. Maynard.
He was also a long serving and senior member of the Bahamas Bar Association.
Mr. Rolle was a trusted and loyal Pindling PLP and an ardent supporter of the progressive movement. He played an active role in the formulation of the numerous public policies, the establishment of the many public institutions and the passage of scores of pieces of legislation that together form the modern Bahamas.
He did much to build the Progressive Liberal Party during this time and after his retirement from public life.
He was a good and faithful servant of the people who has transitioned to receive his eternal reward. Absent in the body, but present in the spirit.
I publicly thank Darrell for his work on behalf of our great party. I thank him for his wise counsel, his advice and support for me as confidant, friend, in my profession, as a public official and most recently, as Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party.
I thank his family for loaning him to and sharing him to us. I know firsthand that it took a great deal of patience and much longsuffering, but the PLP greatly appreciates your considerable personal sacrifices.
Since death is not a full stop but a mere comma in the sentence of life, we must all pledge to promote and cultivate Darrell’s spirit of party unity, nation building and advancing the common good through the twin blunt instruments of politics and governance.
As I continue my important work on behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party and by extension our beloved country, I pledge to continue to promote party unity and doing my part to ensure that The Bahamas realizes her full potential through these two blunt instruments – politics and governance.
Keeping Darrell’s legacy alive in our hearts and minds is the ultimate tribute we who remain, benefitted from and love Darrell can pay him as we continue our earthly sojourn and this good fight on the political battlefield.
To the family, I encourage you to cherish the personal time you spent Darrell, the love you shared with him and the life lessons you learned from him and I imagine there must have been plenty lessons.
The family meetings, social gatherings, family vacations and the numerous jokes and stories about life with Darrell are priceless, invaluable and incorruptible – but most importantly, these experiences are intergenerational and timeless.
They are unlike our tangible worldly possessions in life such as houses, cars and pieces of jewelry that are sure to depreciate, deteriorate and lose value over time.
For many, those experiences and intangible qualities represent the essence and meaning of life.
On behalf of my wife Ann-Marie, PLP Deputy Leader I. Chester Cooper, National Chairman Senator Fred Mitchell, my Parliamentary Colleagues, Stalwart Councillors, officers and members of the Progressive Liberal Party, I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Darrell E. Rolle during your hour of bereavement.
May he rest in peace
