Sir Jack and I were together for thirty-five glorious years, during which we shared the most wonderful times. My own uncle was a songwriter in Hollywood who wrote the lyrics for the song “Thanks for the Memories,” which was Bob Hope’s theme song and in fact won an Oscar in 1942 – Oscars looked a lot different then…..

But “Thanks for the Memories” was the perfect description of Jack and my life together – which was unique and in a class by itself – in many ways far more quiet and low keyed then one would think. We very rarely went out – we stayed in, in our lovely house in Freeport – eating dinner off trays in our bedroom. We were not ‘party people.’

One of my greatest loves for Jack however, was the fact that he loved animals as much as I did – always encouraging me to bring home as many strays as I could find…the most tragic cases, which under normal circumstances would have been euthanized, as they gave every appearance of being beyond help. But, between my and Jack’s dedication to saving them, they thrived, slept in bed with us, and led ‘La Grande Vie.’ (The Good Life.’) By the way, one of our dogs was our famous AMIGO who became a ‘Freeport media star in his own right with that incredible God-given charisma. I was Chairman of the Humane Society at the time. I am now Honorary Chairman. And, with a little help from AMIGO’s looks and charisma, he became the face of the Bahamian Potcake and the symbol of the importance of being kind to animals. Amigo even had a commemorative stamp based on a photo by renowned Bahamian artist, Alton Lowe. AMIGO was the inspiration of the Bahamian Potcake Series and his stamp now hangs in Government House. Not bad for a Bahamian Potcake!

I had five passions during my years in Freeport. The Humane Society of Grand Bahama of course; Jack Hayward High School; my work with the blind and challenged – as JHHS even had a programme for its blind students. I also took great joy in sending Alvin Forbes through four years of college in Canada, because in addition to being so fond of him as a person, I wanted to show the world that being blind was a tragic condition, but one that could be lived with, And that blind people were every much as able to live a productive life, including contributions to society – Alvin was studying to be a priest.

My fifth source of pride and passion, was my exchange program between JHHS and Boys Harbor in New York. The week the children from NY came to Freeport to stay in Freeport homes, was probably one of the most joyful of my year. What truly fine children they were, all from disadvantaged backgrounds and yet, through the programmes at the Harbor School in NY and their own determination, strived to make a productive life for themselves, many have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, and the like, May I add that that the Harbor, both the summer camp where our JHHS children were guests, to the Harbor School in New York, were the brainchild of Anthony Drexel Duke – whose grand father founded Duke University. The Dukes were a rich southern family who certainly did not have to do these things, but…they did. They were Jack and my dear dear friends and Jack and Tony had many personal attributes in common, Simple Men who “walked with Kings, but kept the common touch.”

Sir Jack was a brave and beautiful person who never, until the very end let his illness get to him. He was always thinking of other people and the very last time I said good bye to him in Fort Lauderdale when we all flew over from Freeport, (knowing it would probably be the last time I would ever see him,) all he was concerned about was how long I was going to have to wait for a taxi as there was no room in the car to drive me to the train station.

That was who Sir Jack was. The most beautiful, caring, special, compassionate person who has ever graced our planet.

I was not able to be with him at his last moment, even though I know he would have wanted me to be. We were together for thirty-five glorious, years. He is now in Heaven with AMIGO, my mother whom he always called ‘Mum’ and with whom he shared a special relationship.

I can’t imagine ever moving on, as Jack was the true love of my life. They don’t come like Jack very often and are hardly an ‘easy act to follow…’

My heart of course goes out to all of Jack’s family, colleagues and friends.

Frances Singer Hayward