Nassau, Bahamas - The Honourable
Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology (seen here), expresses
condolences to the family of the late Reverend Bertram A. Newton,
who passed away on Tuesday, 16th September, at his home in Red Bays,
Andros. Reverend Newton made a significant contribution to education
in The Bahamas and particularly to the children of his birthplace, Red
Bays. The veteran educator was born on 9th January 1925, to the parentage
of Eldrick and Adriana Newton in the settlement of Red Bays; he was
the eldest of sixteen children born to that union.
Reverend Newton was a direct descendant
of the Black Seminole Indians who escaped from slavery in Florida in
1821 and settled in Red Bays. A teacher by profession, Revered Newton
began his career in 1951 after the unexpected death of his father who
was serving as the only teacher at the Red Bays All-Age School. Education
for Reverend Newton meant reading, writing and arithmetic complemented
with Biblical principles, good values and character.
In 1964, Reverend Newton’s zeal
for higher education took him to Nassau for one year to attend the Teacher
Training Programme. On completion of his studies, he returned to his
beloved Red Bays All-Age School and continued educating the children
until his retirement in 1992. He was instrumental in moving the school
from a one room thatch hut to an air-conditioned stone structure with
indoor plumbing, five classrooms, a computer lab, library and office.
Prior to this, he kept school under a tree or in his home to ensure
that the education of the children of Red Bays was not disrupted.
Reverend Newton was married to the
former Rose Marshall in 1952 and together they taught at the school.
The couple adopted four boys from the community – Cecil, George, John
and Tony but hundreds of other children regarded him as a father.
One of Reverend Newton’s greatest
achievements was bringing international attention to the link between
the Seminole Indians of Florida and the people of Red Bays. In recognition
of his loyal and devoted service to the community and The Commonweath
of The Bahamas, Rev. Newton was awarded the Precious Conch Award in
1991, the British Empire Medal in 1996 and the Queen’s Certificate
and Badge of Honour in 1997. On January, 6th 2012, Reverend Newton saw
the renaming of the Red Bay’s Primary School in his honour – an
event he was overjoyed to witness.
Reverend Newton is survived by his
wife, Mrs. Rose Newton, sons and numerous relatives.
