DR. IRA EARLE FARRINGTON, M.D.M.B.E., M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.M., F.A.C.S.
March 10, 1927 – November 08, 2013

The bond between mother and son, established early in life, was deep and robust. An affection, manifested in writing, on May 8th, 1936, at the age of nine, reads: Dearest Mother: I love you. And to show how much I love you, I will always be a good and obedient boy to you and try hard in my lessons in school… Your loving son, Earle. Seventeen years later, in a letter of January 30th, 1953, imbedded with solemn injunction, addressed to The University of Glasgow, Scotland, several weeks following his final-year dinner celebration, mother writes to son: Dear Earle: Very glad to hear you are o.k. It must have been a lovely feast. Take it easy on the or any other alcoholic drinks, for it does no good with anything…

Also, in that letter, comes this account of medio-social interest: A baby was born on the sidewalk on Bay St. yesterday.… M.A’s wife was there… she heard the woman crying, went to her, and in about five to ten minutes the baby was right there on the sidewalk of a  Life is full of irony, anomaly and mystery. In the case of our beloved Earle, who did so much to help bring health, healing and wholeness to others, he himself was incapable of finding restoration from his own protracted illness. Even great physicians are seldom able to heal themselves.

But we today are assured that those long, often lonely weeks and months Earle lay helplessly in bed, were also years of great and tender-loving care by many, headed by his devoted and loving wife, Melanie; siblings, Ramon and J. Barrie; sons Craig and Douglas; friend extraordinaire and ever-present colleague, Dr. Cecil Bethel; caregivers: Lucy, Eugennie, Winnifred, Caroline and Ingrid; grand-daughters; extended family members; in-laws and deeply sensitive, caring friends.

Earle possessed an unabashedly patriotic streak; this in a time of much Bahamian social, color and class hypersensitivity and discrimination. He was unashamed of his humble beginnings, and often shared some of the more painful memories which were laced with times of economic hardship, including one of school uniform cloth fabric so unaffordable as to make trouser pockets nonexistent, though tailored by the toil-worn hands of a caring mother. Not to be ignored was the contribution of a restless father, always on the move from one odd job to another, constantly in search of novel ways to support a modest, struggling Bahamian family of the early and middle twentieth century.

 Humble in spirit, warm-hearted, faithful and competent, our now departed physician-surgeon, was entirely devoted to his patients. He was a consummate professional, full of life, love and humor. His characteristic laughter was unforgettable. From those earliest school years, he demonstrated intellectual adroitness, predictable consistency and excellence in things academic and interpersonal. Term-ending report-cards, particularly during his student and head-boy days at ‘the old Government High School’, reflect Earle’s extraordinary ability.

An exceptional student was he. It was not uncommon for him to top his class in eight of the thirteen subjects offered. Here is a brief, telling comment, by then form teacher Cecil ‘C.B’. Bethel Sr., of April 5th, 1943: Earle is a very satisfactory student; keen on games. In this we recognize Earle, eager both to learn and teach; lover of the great outdoors; gentleman; sports buff – especially tennis; connoisseur of music; avid student to history, literature, and the fine arts.

It is not difficult to believe that the handsomely dashing, quiet-spoken, full-of-fun Earle, with the flashing smile, winning ways, immense gentleness, kindness and humble affection for all, was as much called to be a physician as he was born so to be. Wealthy and poor, learned or not, were treated by him with equal honor and respect. He was never happier, serving and positively interacting as he did for so many years, with his patients and colleagues alike, on and around the public hospital wards and precincts.

Many of his medical colleagues often addressed him affectionately as Farrie. Leaving his homeland as a young man to pursue learning abroad at Medical School, Earle soon earned medals and certificates of merit in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and clinical surgery. Having become a lecturer at The University of Glasgow and obtaining Fellowship of The Royal College of Surgeons, gave Earle a deep sense of personal achievement. Many are his academic, professional and civic achievements and awards.

Returning home to Nassau in 1963, Earle joined the staff of Princess Margaret Hospital as the first certified Bahamian General and Consultant Surgeon. He further served with distinction as Head of The Department of Surgery for twenty years as its first Bahamian Consultant. Earle was clearly a physician’s-physician and a mentor to many budding medical practitioners. He was instrumental in the training and development of a generation of Bahamian surgeons and doctors; a trailblazer in every sense of the word. Upon his retirement from government service, and at a distinguished gathering of The Medical Association of The Bahamas, he was fondly described as, The Bahamian Father of Modern Day Medicine in The Bahamas.

 A much talked about doctor-patient incident, shared by Earle, in his characteristic quiet, jocular manner, is that of a much-indebted family Islander proudly presenting to ‘Doc’ one memorable morning in PMH’s lobby, the gift of a live sheep. Taken aback by the unusual public offing, Earle’s measured yet somewhat awkward response to the Long Islander was: “Could we arrange to have the meat of the animal instead?” A humanitarian was he; a rich  Ira Earle Farrington’s life was given entirely to the improvement of the health and well being of his fellow Bahamians. A medical note, emanating some years ago from the records of Princess Hospital, estimated that in P.M.H. alone: Dr. Earle Farrington has performed over 30,000 surgical procedures. Here is a statistic surpassed only by his unmatched generosity, love and devotion to his wife and family, and a loyal empathetic understanding, and patience demonstrated to all, without distinction. Earle possessed a magnanimous, unselfish love of life and people.

 Finally, may it be said and known that Ira Earle Farrington was, at one and the same time, a man both of science and faith. Not infrequently, he wished to discuss with me, matters having to do with the intriguing works of Anglican Christian Apologist, C.S. Lewis – particularly, Mere Christianity – and more specifically, Psychologist and former President of The Methodist Conference in Britain, Leslie D. Weatherhead and issues raised in his provocative book: The Christian Agnostic. Earle agonized over and struggled greatly with the subject of suffering in the world relative to a just and loving God. But as with all persons with an abiding belief in the Central Figure of the Bible, Earle maintained a robust, unquestioning and practicing faith in Almighty God.

My understanding is that Earle came to believe that suffering is a school of life, and that it is only through suffering that human beings acquire the necessary capacity to be forbearing, and the strength to attain inner growth. And this is why God cannot take sufferings away from anyone. The encouraging text of 1 Peter 3:14, come to mind: Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. Christians, therefore, are called to embrace the way of the Cross. The way of the cross leads home.

Earle, the clever, vivacious boy became a man; the man became a great and glorious physician; the physician came to exercise a deep, personal faith in Jesus the Christ. A confessional first made, baptized and confirmed growing up an Anglican and later reaffirmed as a follower of the religion of Jesus, expressed mainly in the context of St. Michael’s Methodist Church, of which he became a member, and where he faithfully worshipped, served and established, for many years, a distinctive and vibrant witness. About Earle, my wife Margie has often said: Life is a gift, and so is death. Earle has received them both; and for this we ought  And so, we reaffirm that Ira Earle Farrington was humble, warm-hearted, generous and competent; professional always, a consummate gentleman, with malice toward none; mind clear as a bell, restorative hands of a surgeon and friend after God’s own  Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the departed,  Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.Ira Earle – Into Paradise may the angels lead you. In the name of The Father And of The Son And of The Holy Spirit.

 Dr. Ira Earle Farrington, M.B.E., M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.M., F.A.C.S.Eastern Primary and Senior Schools, Nassau Government High School; Head Boy; Senior Cambridge Certificate, London Clerk to The Bahamas Secretariat Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery, University of Glasgow Pre-registration: Stobhill and Hairmyres Hospitals, Scotland Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Glasgow Senior House Officer, Western Infirmary, Glasgow Registrar Training: Victoria Infirmary; Royal Hospital; Neurological Centre, Scotland Fellow Royal College of Surgeons Fellow Royal Society of Medicine Fellow American College of Surgeons Member Of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire Honorary Fellow Commonwealth of The Bahamas Academy of Medical Sciences Member of The Police Service Commission First Chairman, The Health Professions Council Physician Emeritus, The Medical Association of The Bahamas President, Bahamas Islands Medical Association Recipient, Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award Recipient, Gold Medal, Bahamas Silver Jubilee Awards, Independence Ira Earle Farrington March 10th, 1927 – November 8th, 2013St. Michael’s Methodist Church Boyd Road, New Providence, Bahamas Friday, November 15th, 2013Rev. Dr. Philip A. Stubbs – Minister, St. Michael’s Methodist Church Rev. Christopher H. Neely – President, Bahamas Methodist Conference (BCMC)Rev. Dr. Colin Archer – Founding President, Bahamas Methodist Conference Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery Shirley Street Order of Service Opening passages of ScriptureI am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall not die eternally Bless are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Because I live, you will live also.In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust.God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.Hymn…. O for a thousand tongues to sing (No 1 Methodist hymn book (MHB) Psalm 46… Reverend Christopher Neely (A responsive reading)1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God shall help her, and that 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved. He uttered His voice, the earth 7 The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He hath made in the earth.9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth. He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder. He burneth the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen. I will be exalted in the earth.

11 The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Hymn... All hail the power of Jesus name (No 91 Methodist hymnal)

Tribute… J. Barrie Farrington, C.B.E. (Brother) Hymn… O Jesus I have promised (No. 526 Methodist hymnal)

Tribute… Dr. Nicholas Hepburn, M.D. (Friend)

Tribute… Dr. Robin Roberts, M.D. (Friend)Musical

Tribute… Mr. Adrian Archer

The Obituary… Reverend Colin Archer (Brother-In-Law)

Hymn… I am so glad that our Father in heaven (No. 421 Methodist bk)

Psalm 130… Mr. Douglas Farrington (Son)1 Peter 1: 3 – 9… Mr. Ramon Farrington (Brother St. John 14: 1 – 6, 27… Mr. Albert Archer Jr. (Brother-In-Law)A Musical Tribute…St. Michael’s Methodist Church Combined ChoirThe Eulogy… Reverend Philip A. Stubbs Prayers of Thanksgiving The Lord’s Prayer Recessional Hymn… And can it be that I should gain (371 MHB book)

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