Obituary

LEONARD MAXWELL MITCHELL BOWE,

Leonard Maxwell Mitchell Bowe was born on December 27, 1939 to the proud parents of Leonard ‘Bowtie’ and Sybil Bowe, nee Gibson. The first born of this union, Leonard or LM as he was affectionately known, would take a special interest in caring for his other five siblings.

At a young age, he was called to assist with supplementing the family income and did this through various odd jobs such as shining shoes, running errands and taking in laundry. He would rise at 4:00am to deliver The Nassau Guardian to residents of Cable Beach, and in the evenings he would deliver The Tribune. Once done with his jobs in the mornings, he would complete his homework

LM was a mischievous boy who still found time to play with his lifelong friend, John Gordon. These two would get into all manner of escapades including riding horses in the sea, playing tricks on the neighbors during Halloween and swimming with the older boys at Malcolm Park.

EDUCATION:

LM attended Sands School and went on to Eastern Junior, Eastern Senior and The Government High School during his school days, he earned the name “Clever” from David ‘Doc’ Sweeting because he was quite knowledgeable and was quick to correct his school mates.

Though tasked with supporting his family, LM made his education a priority and dedicated himself to completing his studies.

He was a lifetime learner who read both local and international papers to stay abreast of current events. In his later years, he took to studying encyclopedias to keep his mind active and focused. He was well read and could converse on a wide variety of subjects.

WORK:

Upon graduating from high school, LM pursued a career in Land Surveying with Norman Aranha and Leonard Chee-A-Tow, which afforded him the opportunity to work and learn about most of the islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

His knowledge of the people and unique features of these Islands was extraordinary.

LM shifted gears and entered the Tourism Transportation Business; successfully building the Bowtie Franchise with his father, Bowtie and his brother P. Colin. He worked for many years in this industry until health challenges intervened. Even then, he continued to provide administrative oversight of the daily operations.

MARRIED LIFE:

LM met and married Norma Hanna in 1962. Their marriage produced three children who were the pride of his life: Stuart, Camille and Angela. Sadly, Norma passed away suddenly in May 1984.

LM met Bloneva Rolle and the two were married in July 1990. They remained happily married for the next thirty two years until his demise.

FAMILY LIFE:

As the eldest, LM always loved his brothers and sisters and assisted them in every way possible. This care and concern extended to his nieces, nephews and other family members and he was usually sought for his insightful comments and advice. This was always given with a story thrown in for good measure.

He was an historian and spent much of his time researching the ancestries of Bahamian families. He was able to expound on the various names and their islands and/or country of origin. LM spoke of the rich legacy of our Bahama Islands and was very vocal about keeping our unique cultural heritage alive.

Family was very important to him and he routinely kept in touch by calling on his patched up cell phone saying “It’s only me, LM Bowe here!”

In his later life, LM spent his time growing closer to the Lord and investing quality time with his children and loved ones.

CIVIC LIFE:

LM’s ability to converse led to a vibrant telephone ministry. Family and friends were the recipients of his weekly calls and looked forward to speaking with him on current affairs or chit chatting about old times. He had a wide circle of acquaintances and it was quite common for him to strike up conversations with total strangers.

Many were quite surprised at his sudden passing and exclaimed “But he just called my two or three days ago!”

SPORTS:

LM was an avid sports fan and followed a number of sports disciplines with his favorite being Track & Field. He was a regular listener and contributor to the various sports shows displaying a depth of knowledge on many track and field athletes both locally and internationally.

He shared a close relationship with Alpheus ‘Hawk’ Finlayson, which resulted in him coming to know a number of sport personalities... like Usain Bolt.

LM was known to call family members at all hours asking to Google information on lesser known details of Bahamian Track & Field history in order to be prepared for Hawk’s sports show.

LM began exercising in his later years to improve his health with his neighbor, Mae Davis. They would walk early on Montague Beach conversing with the other early risers. This continued until the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic when health and safety protocols were activated.

PERSPECTIVE:

Leonard Bowe was one who assumed responsibility at a young age. He did not shy away but picked up that mantle and showed strength of character and grit.

Through hard work and determination, he enjoyed a rich life and had a profound and lasting impact on his family and friends.

May His Soul Rest in Peace.

Left to mourn his passing are:

Wife: Bloneva Bowe, nee Rolle

Children: Stuart (Vandorene) Bowe, Camille Harrison, Angela (Carlton) Munnings, Ricardo (Flores) Bowe, Elma McKenzie and Vashta (Simeon) Richardson.

Adopted Son: Kenwood Kerr.

Grandchildren: Stuart Bowe Jr, Shankira (Julio) James, Nicole (Barry) Dorsey, Dominique Harrison, Ethan Munnings, Kareem Bowe, Schelesque McKenzie, Travino Seymour, Tyrone, Tyrese and Tyrelle Davis, Raye and Gideon Richardson.

Great Grand Children: Myles, Mia and Zara James, and Tatianna, Shamar and Shamer Brown.

Brothers: P. Colin (Pamela), William Bowe, and Leonard Bowe;

Sisters: Helen Butler, Sonia Dames, Janeen (Charles) McCartney, Antoinette Bowe, Joycelyn Holbert, Rebecca Smith and Janien Bodie.

Uncles: Nigel (Stephanie) Bowe and Kenneth (Kwansa) Bowe.

Aunts: Visna (Charles) Mackay and Joan McKay.

Brothers-in Law: Emmanuel Rolle and Pastor Anthony (Walteria) Rolle.

Sisters-in-Law: Carmeta (Meramo) Jeanty, Teresa Armbrister, Terez Newry, Eunice, Keva (Freddy), Jacinta and Rhonda Rolle.

Nieces: Yvette (Charles) Sands, Jillian (M-Wale) Rahming, Nadya Bowe, Alexis Saunders, Anya Sawyer, Sonia Adderley, Ilsa and Simmone Bowe, Betty and Tania Roberts, Lillith Butler, Philippa (Richard) Brown, Hughresa Johnson, Chrishanda Deveaux, Shanika Newry, Malisha and Ashanti Rolle, Kachina Lightbourne, Megan Bodie and Nadia Bowe.

Nephews: Roscoe and Michael (Carell) Dames, Gowon (Evanne), Scott, Erik, and Stephen Bowe, Corin McCartney,

Sidney Sawyer Jr., Ross and Anthony Butler, Terrance, Antonius and Bruno Roberts, Hugh Johnson Jr. (Rishanda), Derek (Iceland) Colebrooke, Terez (LaShae) Johnson, O’Neil Carey, Tyrell and Teran Johnson, Omar and Asher Rolle, Marchello Cargill, Kenyan and Kareem Lightbourne, Jonathan and Justin Bodie, Kenton and Camren Bowe; Duvane Bowe.

Other family members: The entire Bowe clan, John Gordon, the family of the late Corrine Fountain, the Lightbourn family, the Bartlett family, the Newbold family, the Gibson family, Dr. Adrian Sawyer and family, the Harrison family, Herbert and Gabbly Franklin (New York), Marcel Lightbourn, Hebert Styles, Louis Dames, Bishop Rudolph Bowe and Family, Dean Harry Bain, Dane and Darron Bowe, the Archer family, the Farrington family, Hanna family and Munnings family. Bishop James and Elder Queenie Newry and family, Bishop Rudolph Balfour and family, Apostle Rick and Val Bethel (Fort Lauderdale), Livingston Sweeting

Sr. and family, Leanna Smith and family, the Bain family, the Bethell family, the Hanna family, the Neymour family, and the Knowles family.

Special Friends: Mae Davis and family, Iris Moxey and family, the Rahming, Major, Walkine and Cartwight families of Pyfroms Addition, Alpheus ‘Hawk’ Finlayson and family, Rosemary Hanna, Godfrey Eneas, Kim Major, Linda Sawyer, Christine Curry-Wong, Rudy Darville, Julia Burnside, Patricia Thomas and family, the families of Hawkins Hill, Canaan Lane and Dowdeswell Street, the Christian Tabernacle Church Family, Central Gospel Chapel of Dowdeswell Street, Shamica Duncombe and family, Vernette Lynes and family, Brad Outten and family, Althea Kerr, Esther Vincent, Dona Maycock and family, the Zonicle family, Apostle Christopher and Pastor Anna Russell and family, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kirkwood Andrews, Archdeacon James Palacious, Nurse Shanika Newry and a host of friends he called weekly too numerous to mention.

So when a great man dies, / For years beyond our ken, / The light he leaves behind him lies / Upon the paths of men.”