Eldin and Sharon Ferguson cooking Bahamian Food Live on PBS Florida Today Show

Bahamian, Eldin A. Ferguson, Jr. died on June 9th, 2009.

Funeral Service for Eldin A. Ferguson, Jr. (October 6, 1951 - June 9, 2009) will be held at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Shirley Street, Nassau Bahamas on June 20, 2009 at 10am.

Ferguson and his wife, Sharon Elaine Smith-Ferguson, were owners and operators of Bahamas International Fisheries and Conch Dog.  They are the creators of the first Bahamian Seafood Sausage “The Conch Dog”. They have received commendations from the Ministries of Tourism and Foreign Affairs for their contribution in promoting Bahamian Cuisine locally and in the United States.

In 1997 the Ferguson family relocated to the United States to educate their sons and expand their business. They have and continue to own and operate restaurants like the Bahamian Touch in Riviera Beach and Coconuts Bahamas Grill in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Ferguson’s have received several Keys to cities in Florida, they have been given the Key to the City from the Mayor of Pompano Beach, Florida at the Pompano Beach Seafood Festival 1996/97, the city of Deerfield Beach at the Mango Festival 1997, and the City of Pahokee in 2002 for their participation and promotion of Bahamian Cuisine and Culture. They are the founders of the Great Conch Fritter Seafood Festival (2000) held in the City of Riviera Beach Florida.

Eldin A. Ferguson, Jr. and his wife authored the cook book “The Bahamian Touch” a taste of the Bahamas, published in 1998.

Sir Lyndon Pindling, Eldin Jr, Sharon and young Erin Ferguson at the opening of Bahamas International Fisheries.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven
A time to be born and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to pluck up that which was planted
A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away.
A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace.

Eldin III, Sharon, Eldin Jr. and Erin Ferguson - THE FAMILY at Erin's Howard University Graduation Reception

In Memory of Eldin A. Ferguson Jr.
the following obituary was submitted by Erin Ferguson, son of Eldin Jr.

Light dawned beautifully on the morning of October 6, 1951 when Eldin (Junior) made his majestic entrance into the Ferguson family of Fox Hill & the Francis family of Fort Fincastle. Proud parents Eldin Ferguson, Sr. and Marjorie Francis-Ferguson received an addition to Arabella, their daughter already 4 years old; he was christened and confirmed at St. Matthew’s Church. His mother, Marge was an entrepreneur, a seamstress par excellence with her business located on Lewis Street just west of East Street and it must have been from this location, she met and fell in love with Eldin Sr., who was himself the top Engineer at the CoCo-Cola plant. Their eventual move to the Kemp Road area necessitated his being placed in the care of his aunts Elizabeth (Sizzie) Clarke, Marion Samuels and his cousin, Norma Samuels Hanna. Eldin also served many years as an altar boy in Kemp Road under the then Rev. Michael Eldon who was rector of St. Margaret’s at the time.

Eldin’s early education began at “The Clarke’s School”, the pre-school ran by his aunt Elizabeth Clarke. Eldin saw tragedy early in his life when at the tender age of 11 on December 2, 1962; his father went on a fishing trip from which he never returned. This event so impacted his life that the hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save” sung at his father’s funeral has resonated in his mind throughout his life. He watched his mother pine away and while he was a student at Government High School, she died in December 10, 1965. Eldin continued his secondary education with the completion of school at Western Junior, Southern Senior and Government High School.  

For many, Eldin’s name was synonymous with ambition and steadfastness; and some questioned the source of his strength.   However, it may come as a surprise that his strength was drawn from the saddest period is life—the death of his parents.   From this tragedy, Eldin built his legacy and traveled a road passed by few in his lifetime. Despite these catastrophic occurrences, Eldin remained a top student, nurtured at this time by his paternal uncle, Tom Ferguson Sr. of Fox Hill. Between studies and after graduation, he managed the Moonglow Garden Club, honing his cooking and managerial skills.

The pursuit of education and excellence was the cornerstone of Eldin’s life.    Many of his major accomplishments centred on his quest for knowledge and the attainment of higher learning.   In 1973 Eldin became the first Bahamian to win the Rotary Club Scholarship in International Understanding.   It was also in 1973 where Eldin etched a spot in this country’s history with his appointment to the Secretariat Staff as Protocol Officer with the Technical Division Team.   He along with his colleagues planned the first Independence Day celebrations of the Bahamas—the beginnings of our proud heritage and a fitting task for someone who was so proud to be Bahamian. He attended Fanshawe College in London Ontario, Canada and continued his path to success; he graduated with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Architectural Engineering and Interior Design in 1975. He was the recipient of the President’s Prize, a “gold medal” for academic excellence having achieved a straight 4.0 GPA during his entire tenure at the college with both degrees.  

After graduation, Eldin returned to the Bahamas where he continued his job at the Ministry of Public Works.   It was there that he; Jackson Burnside and Jeff Sawyer were the first to design the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Out Patients facility.   Eldin continued his employment at the Ministry of Public Works for several years before establishing his own company, “Summit Development” in New Providence.   He later relocated to Grand Bahama where he was commissioned by the Port Authority to build the first group of low cost homes on the island. He also joined as partner with Montgomery Pratt & Associates where he continued with his architectural career.

Always having a passion for all things beautiful, in the late 1980’s Eldin met Miss Bahamas 1975, Sharon Smith, and the love of his life.   In 1982 they were married at the Church of the Ascension Freeport, Grand Bahama by Bishop Michael Eldon.   Eldin had a zeal for his work, but his real passion was for culinary arts.   Together with his wife Sharon, they invented the first sausage made from conch, and established the first Bahamian Food Processing facility with a line of conch products and the famous “Conch Dog”.   They followed their passion and went on to become the first Bahamians to be qualified at the University of Florida in the new Association of Food and Drug Officials/Seafood Alliance program. He did numerous of projects from The Conch Dog, Bahamian Touch Restaurant (Riviera Beach, Florida), Coconuts Bahama Grill (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) and Coco-Nuts Bahama Grill (Nassau).   He along with his wife Sharon Authored a Cookbook called “the Bahamian Touch”, which was the ultimate manifestation of his true love, dedication and passion towards cooking, which was a labour of love for Eldin.   Many Sundays after church, the gathering in the kitchen was an atmosphere of joy and laughter complimented by great Bahamian food. He indoctrinated the Idea of family dinner in his house, requiring that the family sit for dinner everyday. His experiences and his life are a Blueprint that we could follow to keep the concept of a strong family unit alive. Eldin was a true Bahamian Country Man, and believed that the standard of a proud Bahamian could be nothing less than excellence. He truly was a Nation Builder, and our country has advanced because he lived. Eldin made no apologies about his convictions and he would say that we should not either.

He made the Bahamas proud, as an Entrepreneur, Author, Inventor, Architect, Master Chef, Advisor, FATHER AND HUSBAND.

On the evening of June 8, 2009 Eldin went to sleep.   However, it was the will of God to release him from this earth and on Tuesday 9 June, 2009 at 12:50 a.m. his battle ended. He will forever be missed.

Eldin Jr. with his daughters Eldri and Alicia Ferguson

Eldin Jr. and Sharon Ferguson as newlyweds.

Eldin Jr. with his sons Erin and Eldin III as toddlers

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 27 years: Sharon Ferguson; two Sons: Eldin Ferguson,   III and Erin Ferguson; two Daughters: Alicia Ward and Eldri Ferguson; two Grandchildren: Rinicia Rolle and Keanna Ward; one Sister: Arabella Cambridge; ten Brothers-in-law: Derek Cambridge, Sr., Audrick Smith, Leslie Smith, Andrew Smith, Donald Smith, Dexter Smith, Richard Demeritte, Willard Hanna, Alvin Hodges and Nigel Ingraham; six Sisters-in-law: Latisha Smith; Lorraine Smith, Angela Hanna, Ruth Demeritte, Laverne Hodges and Ann Ingraham; Nieces: Derica Cambridge, Tillesia, Kim, Audrey, and Ruth Smith, Sophia Palahicky, Elsie Gray, Anna Knowles, Esther “Princess” Mayet, Peggy-Ann Demeritte, Tamika “Penny” Bain, Tanya Hall, Petra Hanna-Weekes, Indira Francis, Tina Roye, Shonalee Gamble, Alicia Hodges, Tahesha Ingraham, Tara Taylor, Angelique Smith, Denika Smith, Tanya Hanna, Lakiska Russell and Demi Smith; Nephews: Keino and Derek Cambridge, Jr., Hildre, Reggie, Murphy, Arie, Ashton, Salvatore, Wilfred, Mark Evans, John, Whylly, Dion, Donnie, Doreoni and Domenio Smith, Nigel Ingraham, Valentino Hanna, Esmond Weekes, Damion Francis, Torrence Gamble, Howard Roye, Jessie Bain and Frank Hall; and a host of grand nieces and nephews.   Adopted Children: Andrew Anderson, Frederick Johnson III , D’angelo Forbes, LeVar Boyd,   Tavaran Ferguson, Quincy Harp, Chad Davis, Kyle Spence, Keron Blair, Andrea Burton, William Roberts and Tylon Axson Other relatives: Francis Family: Rev. Earle Francis, Carvel Francis, Kenneth Francis, Basil Francis, Dorrie Francis, Hiram Francis, Wendal Francis, Peggy Francis, Nehemiah Francis, Rev. Beryl Francis Culmer, Mabelle Sands, Rev. Henry Francis, Percy ‘Vola’ Francis, Monique, Donnie and Charles Clarke, Willie Francis, Prince Francis, Louise Francis, Virginia Francis, Naomi Seymour,   Roscoe Francis, Stephen and Linda Francis, Kenrah Francis, Patricia Francis, Debbie Francis, Joyanne Fritz, Fayne Thompson; Ferguson and Knowles Family: Willie and Michael Moss, Lucille Ferguson, Barbara Ferguson, Anthony Ferguson, Florence Ferguson, Marsha Ferguson, Edwin, Rhunette, Edwin Jr., and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Garth Ferguson, Margo Ferguson-Adderley, Raleigh Ferguson, Bianca Ferguson, Clement, Delano, Deloris Ferguson, Pam and Solomon Cox, Raymond Ferguson, Dorcus and Ken Ferguson, Debbie Strachan, Franklyn (Pancho) Rahming, Ervin Knowles, Agnes and Phil Cooper, Richard Munnings, Rita Miller, Harold Knowles, Jr., Minera and Harold Munnings, The Rahming Family and Collie Family; Mary Ferguson, Thomas Jr., Solomon, Migel and Alron Ferguson, Rhunette, , Adelaide Pinder, Rudy LeVarity, Prescola Lockhart, Iris Miller, Mabelle LeVarity; Friends: Donnie Armbrister, Sherwin and Stephanie Armstrong, Robert Johnson, Kelly and Hubert Russell, Charles Malpress, Archdeacon Cornell and Carol Moss, Michael Edwards, Carlson Shurland, Jackson Burnside, Hon. Perry, Bernadette, Alex, Stephan, and   Adam Christie, Nathalie, Rosalie, Ethlyn, Patty and Keith Harvey,   Jan and Keith Mullings, Terah Rahming, Eva Reeves, Beverly Chin, Cynthia Donaldson,   Gaye Knowles, Elcott Coleby, Faye Lockhart-Smith, Lorenzo and Ann Taylor,   Eulis Strachan, Eulita and Robert Strachan, Preben Olsen, Harlington and Helen Hanna, Paula Hanna-Miller and Trixie Hanna, Dr. Phillip Thompson, Kendall “Funky” Demeritte, Monty Pratt, Frank Claude, Ernest Burrows, Lawerence Rolle, Ronnie Butler, Eva   Schaffner, Al , Kathy, Adam, Robert and Alana Dillette, Zandra, Michaella, Flora, Karen, and Courtney Strachan, Steve McKinney, Paul Moss, Peter Ramsay, Vanlock Fowler, Raymond Harrison, Helen Mitchell, Betty and Joe Stuart, Margaret Lockhart, Hyacinthia Becton, Canon Howarth and Dianna Lewis, Philip Galanis, Betty Knowles, Allison Smith, Canon Harry and Ann Bain, Dr. Bridgette Hampton, Dr. Carnille Farquharson, Colleen Moxey, Julian and Anthony Weech, Brenda Russell, Carolyn Armbrister, Church of Ascension Family (Freeport), The Coco-Nuts Family, The Gems Family, ZNS Family, Orthland Bodie Jr., Pleasant Bridgewater, Michael Foster, The PLP, Freeport, Fox Hill, Kemp Road & Ft. Fincastle Families.   Many other friends and relatives too numerous to mention.

Eldin Jr. giving a speech at the Opening of his company Bahamas International fisheries in Freeport.

Eldin Jr., Eldin III, and Sharon Ferguson at Eldin III Completion of his Final Football Season in Jacksonville.

Eldin Ferguson, Jr. and Eldin Ferguson, III at a Business conference.