|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
A POLICEMAN'S POLICEMAN is how Prime Minister Perry Christie described the late Sir Albert Miller, during his official funeral on Saturday at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King. Sir Albert rose to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police before leaving the police force. Seen is Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade, giving his final salute. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
|
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, on Saturday described the late Sir Albert Miller as a "great" man and an "authentically great Bahamian."
The full military service was held at The Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King in Freeport where people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate Sir Albert's life. Officiating were the Rt. Rev. Laish Boyd, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands; and Archdeacon Harry Bain, Rector of the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King.
Among those in attendance were: Cabinet Ministers, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism; the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration; Senator the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; and the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama.
Describing Sir Albert as a man of character, courage and conviction, talent and ability, dedication and discipline, generosity and kindness, loyalty and service, the Prime Minister explained: “Sir Albert applied these abundant resources of his being in a way that not only earned for himself great personal success in multiple spheres of endeavours; but they also earned him the appreciation, the admiration, and the gratitude of so many persons from so many different walks of life, particularly those who were helped by him in one way or another over the years.
PAYING LAST RESPECTS - Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, is seen paying his respects to the late Sir Albert Miller, who was described by Prime Minister Perry Chistie as "a great man." (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
|
"In some instances, the help that Sir Albert provided was direct. Mindful, as he always was, of his own humble beginnings in Long Island and equally mindful of those thoughtful and compassionate persons who had helped him in his own personal development, especially after he had moved to Nassau in his teens, Sir Albert was always keen to extend a helping hand to those who needed it, especially young and promising Bahamians who were without financial resources to further their education or to launch their careers."
The Prime Minister said Sir Albert was a born leader who inspired others.
"These qualities were deeply embedded in Sir Albert's being. They were an integral part of who he was. And one could not help but be impressed and inspired by the Albert Miller who possessed them.
"Just as he had risen steadily through the ranks from the lowly position of Constable in his teens to the exalted post of Deputy Commissioner while in the late 30's, Albert Miller was subsequently able to climb the ranks of the Grand Bahama Port Authority to attain one higher post after another, culminating in his appointment as President and later as Co-Chairman.
INTERMENT - Following the Official Funeral and Thanksgiving Service for the late Sir Albert Miller on Saturday at The Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, along with other cabinet ministers are seen at the interment at the Columbarium and Remembrance Garden at Christ the King. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
|
"In climbing the ladder of success, first in law enforcement and then later in the boardrooms of commerce and city-planning, Sir Albert demonstrated a consistency of high purpose and dedication, and a level of skill and ability that were truly inspirational to behold. He was a man of action. A man of purpose. A man who never settled for second best. A man who never asked others to make sacrifices or to do things that he himself was not prepared to do. He led by example."
He said, "One of the really remarkable things about Sir Albert Miller's life was how the first part of his life as a policeman was as impressive as the second part when, as fate would have it, he ended up in a vastly different career as a businessman and city leader - a kind of unofficial mayor even for the nation's second city.
FULL MILITARY SERVICE was held for the late Sir Albert Miller on Saturday. Officers marched with his remains from Police Headquarters to the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
|
"Most men who achieve great things in life do it in only one sphere. In the case of Sir Albert, however, he had the uncommon distinction of achieving greatness in two completely different spheres of human endeavour, one after the other.
"However, it would be remiss of me as Prime Minister if I did not on this solemn occasion express the gratitude of the government and people of The Bahamas for the uniformly exemplary and profoundly important contributions that Albert Miller made over the course of decades to help keep the people of The Bahamas safe.
"His courage and unfailing dedication to policing was an extraordinary as the skills and talents he brought to the job. I have no hesitation whatever in saying that it was because of Bahamians like Albert Miller that the foundations of the Royal Bahamas Police Force were as securely established as they were.
"Indeed the outstanding police officers of today rest upon the shoulders of legendary predecessors like Albert Miller. He was a policeman's policeman, a mentor and role model of the first order. The generations of police officers that have since followed in his footsteps are therefore deeply indebted to him for the standard that he and others of his own generation set them to emulate.
"But it's not just police officers. It is the nation as a whole that is in debt to Sir Albert for all of his personal risks and sacrifices he undertook in the service of the Bahamian people as a law enforcement leader extraordinaire; and for the fearless, incorruptible and expert manner in which he went about protecting the Bahamian people from lawless elements within our borders. He was one of the best. He really was!
"For that I extend the sincere thanks of a grateful nation."
Also paying tribute to Sir Albert was former Governor General of The Bahamas, Sir Orville Turnquest.
GREETING THE FAMILY - Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson; and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, are seen greeting family members of the late Sir Albert Miller, at the Interment at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King on Saturday. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
|
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
