A. Bismark Coakley (left), the winner of this year's Lady Sassoon Golden Heart award. He was presented the award by R.E. Barnes, Chairman of the Sassoon Heart Foundation.
In his acceptance speech Mr. Coakley expressed gratuity and went on to say, "The need is great and is not getting smaller ". Others were encouraged to help wherever they could. (Photo: Jamal Jones)
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Nassau, New Providence - This past Saturday the patrons of the annual Heart Ball were
treated to a glorious evening celebrating the Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas)
Heart Foundation’s Fifty First Heart
Ball.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the
prestigious Golden Heart Award, named in honor of Lady Sassoon, the
Foundation’s founder and patron.
This year’s Golden Heart Award went to A. Bismark Coakley, M.B.E.,
for his work with physically challenged children and helping his fellow man.
Mr. Coakley said he was very grateful for this recognition of his efforts.
In presenting the Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award to Mr.
Coakley, R.E. Barnes, Chairman of the Sassoon Heart Foundation said that the
Award was created as a way to recognize members of our community who give of
themselves selflessly to help their fellow man. He noted that the nominations
come from the public and it truly is the people’s award for recognition of work
done to assist those in our community.
Mr. Coakley was born in 1942 in Nassau to Roderick and Mary
Coakley of Fresh Creek, Andros. He is the father of seven children, Perez, Leesa,
Carlos, Gerard, Tiffany, Alexia, and Chia.
Mr. Coakley isa graduate of Shaw Business & Commerce
Institution in Ontario, Canada, and graduated in 1964. He subsequently obtained
a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami
in 1984.
Upon returning from Canada, Mr. Coakley took up employment with
Commonwealth Bank culminating as Vice President, subsequently he became Vice
President of General Bahamian Companies operators of the largest liquor company
throughout The Bahamas in 1972. Employed as President of Sunshine Holdings
Company Limited since September 1972, he was responsible for the day to day
administration of Sunshine Holdings Limited. The motto of the company is
“Helping those who cannot help themselves”.
Having served as President at Arawak Homes Limited, Mr. Coakley
retired from active duty in 2009, after 38 years of exemplary service.
Presently he serves as Deputy Chairman/Director and Advisor on several
affiliated companies including: Sunshine Holdings Company Limited, Sun Oil
Company Limited, Eleuthera Properties Limited and RoyalStar Assurance Company
Limited. Mr. Coakley was honored by Her Majesty the Queen in 2010 and made a Member
of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
But what has driven Bismark Coakley, as much as his business
interests, has been a desire to help
those around him. In 1991 he became involved with the Physically Challenged
Children’s Committee, then known as the Crippled Children’s Committee. He
initially was the Committee’s Treasurer before being elected Chairman of the
Committee. There he has worked with both local and international physicians in
seeking the best care for the children affected with this disability.
Those on the Committee speak of his sincere passion and determination
to improve the quality of life for the physically challenged children of the
Bahamas. Those who have worked with him both in Nassau and in the Family
Islands know of his commitment to the children who need our assistance to lead
fuller lives.
Mr Coakley says his reward is seeing the smiles and relief on the
faces of the children and their parents after their procedures are completed.
Mr Coakley has also served as President of the Rotary Club of West
Nassau where they have worked with the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel and
the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged. Mr. Coakley was awarded the highest honor
that the Club bestows, the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Mr Coakley has also been a member of the Young Presidents
Organization since its inception. The members pool their resources for the
betterment of the country and they try to assist whenever asked by the
government.
As Mr Coakley says, he is a “man from over the hill”. He was
taught to help his fellow man, to assist his brothers and sisters, neighbors
and friends. He does not seek the limelight, but simply works to make the world
a little bit better place. He loves to put a smile on someone else’s face. A
man with a golden heart.