Alton Elmore Cargill (Daddy), the oldest child of the union of Elmore John Cargill and Olive Glass-Cargill was born in the peaceful settlement of Calabash Bay, Andros, on October 7, 1923. Daddy loved all his brothers and sisters equally and shared close relationships with all of them, particularly his surviving sisters, Lucene Wilmott and Eulahmae Edgecombe. He cherished these special relationships and encouraged his 12 children to emulate his caring and selfless lifestyle in many ways, to place God at the center of their homes, and to always be their brothers' keeper. For these reasons, he was proud of the unbreakable bond that existed in his home, his focus on the Roman Catholic Church, and insistence that his family worship initially at St. Gabriel's, in Calabash Bay, Andros where he was Baptized on January 13, 1929, and Confirmed on May 15, 1932, and later at St. Joseph's and Holy Family parishes in New Providence after his family relocated to New Providence. He developed a mantra of caring, sensitivity, love, and providing for his family throughout his life. At the very end, although we all knew it was not physically possible, shared stories of wanting to return to Andros to catch fish and crabs for his family.

Education was important to Daddy and although he did not advance beyond the Calabash Bay All Age School, he insisted that his children study, work hard, and advance themselves to the highest level possible. He believed that a Roman Catholic education was superior and provided the opportunity for his children to attend Xavier's College (now Xavier's Lower School) and St. Augustine's College and developed very close relationships with the religious leaders, particularly Father George Wolf, to ensure that although he could not always pay all of the school fees at one time, that his children were never deprived of the opportunity to attend school. During our days at St. Augustine's, he dropped us off to school, along with some of our cousins and friends, on-time, and insisted daily that every day, at precisely 3:05pm, we were all waiting under the coconut tree on the lower campus to be taken home. When this was not possible, he trusted only Martin Lundy, our first cousin, to bring Cloretta home as she was actively involved in sports at St. Augustine's. If we were not under the coconut tree, and none of us challenged his authority, we all knew that although he would never leave us, we never wanted to disappoint him as he had to return to his job site. And so, each school day at around 3:05 pm, Daddy would be seen driving over the little hill on Saint Augustine's Campus, with his pipe in his mouth, heading for the designated pickup area we were all waiting – his girls would go in the front of his truck and the boys in the back, along with our friends from the east. We revered our father, we never challenged his authority, never showed any disrespect to him, and always complied without question to any request he had of us.

Sidney, the oldest was the first to attend St. Augustine's. Vanria followed quickly behind at Xavier's College in the early days. He was proud of them and many a day, he had to visit St. Augustine's to use all of the Catholic connections he had, to ensure that Sidney, whose interests was on the girls and an adventurous life, remained at St. Augustine's to attain the best education possible. When Godwin showed an interest in drawing and chose an architectural career, and placed him in an apprenticeship program at age 11 with Edwin Rolle, his good and trusted friend whose establishment on Horseshoe Drive, was just a stone's throw away from our Farrington Road home. When Troy excelled in sports at St. Augustine's, he encouraged him to train and to practice as he was not representing himself alone, but rather the entire Cargill family. Troy's athletic success was the topic of many discussions Daddy had with his friends. Ursula, who somehow slipped through the cracks and attended Government High School as a Common Entrance Student, demanded his attention more than all of us, and he showered her with love – we remember how proud he was when he attended her graduations at Morgan State University, where she excelled academically, and earned a full scholarship to pursue her MBA degree, and later a Ph.D in Education Administration at the State University of New York at Buffalo. We remember Daddy contacting his friend, and fellow Androsian, the Hon. Darrel E. Rolle, to ensure that Beverly got a job at the Ministry of Education and teaching Wayde all he knew about carpentry. He appreciated Vanria's cooking and the maternal role she played when they children were young. He was proud of Algernon and his academic accomplishments, and often bragged that he was able to complete his MBA from the University of Miami with "A" grades in all subjects and although he had excelled in banking, that he had wanted him to be a Spanish teacher. Rodd, his baby, could do no wrong, and he bragged to all of friends that his son was a medical doctor. Bobbie (Robertha), the last girl, was his special girl and he showered her even more love than he showered his favourite girl, Cloretta. He gave Bobbie her first vehicle at the age of 18 years old - a burgundy Buick Regal with a cream faux leather roof. We all knew, but said nothing, when he would go in the yard, and pick dillies, watermelons, and plums for his girls; we recognized that they were indeed the apples of his eye. When Reme came along, he treated her as if she was his own daughter, and she quietly replaced Bobbie and Cloretta as his special girl. Although he loved all of his children equally, he shared a special bond with Adrian, a bond that never could have been broken, whom he showered with the most gifts, a car, deep conversations, and his confidence. We were all secretly jealous of this relationship but said nothing as we would never show any disrespect to our Daddy and recognized that he loved all of us in his own special way.

Daddy was adventurous and never backed off any challenges and was always quick to defend his family. He had an unimaginable sense of humour and was often considered the jokester in his family. His stories about his courtship with Mummy, his time in the British Army, and his love for the seas and sports dominated many dinner table meetings. He ensured that all of his children knew that he ran away from home at age 19 to join the British Army and was a card-carrying member of the British Foreign Legion in the 1940s. He advanced all the way to the final training camp in Kingston, Jamaica, and was ready for combat, but the war ended and he was sent home. His hunger for exploration did not end there – he immediately joined the hundreds of Bahamians who were working on the Contract in South Florida and worked diligently until he returned home to Andros, where he met and courted, Madge Evelyn Bullard, his wife of 66 years. He married Madge when she was 15 years old, and during these early years, demonstrated his commitment to family values – Mummy was sick, on her "dying bed" as she recalls and he never turned his back on her, marrying her when he did not know if she would survive. Their first son, Alton Elmore Jr, who was born on May 2, 1947, died, and later, Jeffrey Paul who was born in 1952 died of jaundice. However, 12 children survived from their blessed union, Sidney (1948), Velrey Vanria (1950), Beverly (1954), Godwin (1956), Adrian (1957), Cloretta (1959), Wayde (1960), Algernon (1961), Ursula (1963), Troy (1964), Robertha (1967), and Rodd (1968).

Daddy was proud of the fact that he was an Androsian and loved Andros until the very end. He started his life there, had wanted to eventually retire there, but said that he could not leave his family in New Providence. Sidney, Vanria, and Beverly were born in Calabash Bay, and Daddy, along with Mummy, assisted by his sister in law, Velma Cargill, built, stone by stone, as he told us, his first residence that still stands today in Calabash Bay, Andros in 1947. That residence is now the proud home of his oldest son Sidney, and his wife, Martha. Although he was known as a building contractor, his first career after the Contract was as a sponge fisherman – he reminded us that he was an entrepreneur and from age 20 had owned his own boat. Despite his love for fishing, his first job as an employee was on the Lighthouse Club Hotel building project in Fresh Creek, where he worked in 1954 as a carpenter. After the successful completion of this project he moved his family to New Providence, where they lived with his older sister, Veronica Spence (Gold or Tita as she was affectionately called) in Panza Corner. He was very grateful to Tita for taking him in and providing a roof for his wife and three children, but showing his independence, he later purchased his own home on Cambridge Street, and later built another that still stands today on Farrington Road, where most of our childhood memories were formed - primarily as his brother Arnold, his "special" sisters Lucene and Eulah, and several of his cousins lived within several hundred feet of his homestead. This showed a bond he had for family as he always wanted them to be nearby. He always felt that family should always be together and stick together. This is probably why his 12 children grew up so close and formed very close and special relationships with his nephews and nieces, particularly the Wilmotts and Edgecombes.

After Daddy relocated his family to New Providence in 1954, he worked under the guidance of Thomas Dean, and was always very grateful to him for teaching him most of what he knew today. Mr. Dean hired Daddy as his foreman and while working for Mr. Dean, he built St. Augustine's Monastery, Xavier's College, and St. Martin's Convent in his early days in construction. His work ethic was beyond question, and he believed that every man should provide for his family, and that his children should have unquestionable integrity and a strong ethic. He reminded us that he refused to participate in the General Strike as he did not believe that the Unions had the best interest of the workers and because of his commitment to Mr. Dean. He told us often that one day when he was leaving his home on Cambridge Street to go to work, he was met by three large men who accosted him and threatened him that he should join the General Strike – his solution was to stop working until the Strike was over. He appreciated his job, and appreciated that Mr. Dean enabled him to feed his family and would not disappoint him.

Daddy later formed his own construction company, that he later renamed ALCO Construction Company, and built many homes throughout the Bahamas, ranging from Lyford Cay to Winton Meadows, from Bay Street to the Southern Shores, and was respected in his trade for the quality of his craftsmanship. Although his major and profitable contracts included Donald Davis and CI Gibson Schools, renovations to the A.F. Adderley School, an addition to the C.H Reeves School, two of the newer classroom blocks at St. Augustine's College, Harding's Food Store, and even renovations to the current residence of former Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham. He was most proud that he built the homes of all of his children and the rectory at Holy Family Church. He did all of this while his interest in politics strengthened and was most proud of the fact that he was one of the first members of the Progressive Liberal Party during its formation. He believed that the late Prime Minister Lynden Pindling could do no wrong, and that he was a giant of a man.

Without question, he loved his PLP and during his later years, when he was ailing and somewhat immobile, refused to remove a yellow PLP rubber bracelet from his wrist. Although it is not recorded in the history of the PLP's records, he often reminded us that during the early formation of the PLP, the meetings were held in his home and yard on Farrington Road, and his closest friends at the time were Clement Maynard, Dr. Elwood Donaldson, and Sir Orville Turnquest. He later developed very close friendships with current Prime Minister, Perry Christie, current Deputy Prime Minister, Phillip Davis, and credits Hubert Ingraham for not only providing scholarship opportunities for his children, but assisting him when he served in the PLP Government in the Ministry of Housing. With the growing and expanded size of his family, when he had his 12 children, he later relocated his family from Farrington Road to Nassau East, in 1970 and immediately sought to help the PLP campaign.

He developed close friendships and served as Campaign Generals for James Otis Brown, Neville Adderley, and Michelle Pindling-Sands, and insisted that his children only support the Progressive Liberal Party. During election time, he informed all of his children under his roof that if they do not vote for the PLP, they better find somewhere else to live, and we all complied, as we never wanted to disappoint our Daddy. Without question, he was proud of the day when his hard work was recognized and he was made a Stalwart Counselor of the Progressive Liberal Party, on Melanie Griffin's recommendation, and even prouder that he introduced his oldest son, Sidney, to Melanie Griffin, and she similarly ensured that he also became a Stalwart Counselor of the PLP. During the early seventies, he knew the odds for the PLP winning the Fox Hill seat were significant, but never wavered in his support for James Otis Brown whom we all remember as the first candidate in our area. He strategized with Sidney about the work he was doing for Michelle Pindling-Sands and Melanie Griffin and we can remember the jubilation he expressed when Melanie finally won and retained the Yamacraw seat from the Free National Movement.

Despite his illness, and limited mobility, he wanted to meet with Perry Christie to seek additional employment (although he could no longer physically work), and to also thank Hubert Ingraham for naming his son, Algernon, as the Director of National Insurance, although it was widely known that the Cargills of Nassau East supported the PLP. He was quite aware of all of the current developments at the National Insurance Board and reminded Madge, his wife of 66 years, that his PLP Government would never hurt him or his children. He had a special affection for his nephew, Floyd, who was the most vocal supporter of any opposition against the PLP. He reminded Floyd that he knew Hubert Ingraham better and longer than he did, and one day, they both would return to the PLP. When his brother, Urban joined the UBP and later the FNM, he did not support him and was vocal within the Cargill family, when his nephew, Ashley, ran several times for the FNM in the Kennedy Constituency but showed jubilation when he came back home to his beloved PLP party.

Daddy later (developed) the nickname of "Boodle" and formed close friendships outside of his political life with Peter Outten, David Bowe, Neville Turnquest, Ira Smith, Charles Clarke, Alva Smith, Arlington Munroe, Walter Thompson, Allen Jackson, Gerald Bartlett, and many friends on Potters Cay dock where he frequented often to "shove" checkers and play cards. He thought he was a master at eleven points and challenged his son Adrian to a duel where they played for two hours on a plane ride back from the United States after attending a graduation for his daughter, Dr. Ursula Cargill. He was an avid sports fan; his favorite sports were baseball, sailing, boxing, and cricket. He frequented the baseball field to watch the Del Jane team and could often be found on Montagu Bay, watching the sailing races. He was proud when his son, Algernon, became the President of the Bahamas Swimming Federation and his daughter, Vanria and Cloretta, key softball players on the Becks Softball team. He encouraged Adrian during his early days as a shot-put and discus thrower representing SAC, and Cloretta on many SAC sports teams, and Troy, Rodd and Ursula as athletes – in his mind, all excelled in their own right. He recognized that Wayde had outstanding basketball skills and encouraged him when he dominated the courts at St. Andrews. He bought the newspapers daily, and the first section he would turn to would be the Sports section – when he read, and we could "hear him reading" - he commanded silence in his bedroom that his children always frequented when he was home, many sleeping in the bed with Mummy and him, and the others on the floor, as we never wanted to be outside of their company.

Daddy cared for all members of his family, and Mummy's family, and provided a home in his marital home for his mother in law, Agnes Thompson-Bullard (Gummy), his brothers in law, Ivan and Dudrie Minnis, Arnold Bain, and Wendell (Skinny) and Rodney Moxey. He joked with Gummy about her feelings for some of her children's spouses, and many of his friends about secrets that he never shared with us – we only knew that he was happy and loved to laugh. One of his favourite stories for his children and grandchildren was the elongated name that he gave himself – "Randolph Lodge George Augustus Churchill Thomas Theopholis Philip Arlington Alton Elmore Cargill" – a compilation of each new name he gave females he met during his youth and prior to his marriage while he worked on the Contract in Florida. In fact, he would offer $5 to each child/grandchild that could flawlessly recite this elongated name and honoured all his promises – we made lots of extra money doing this.

Daddy provided a great life for his family both financially and spiritually. He co-owned the Shell Service Station on Robinson and Blue Hill Road with his brother, Arnold, and built a commercial complex on Soldier Road that also served as the office building for his company, ALCO Construction Company Ltd, in addition to several residences for his family. His love for the seas that started in his early days continued until the very end. When his memory started to fail him, he often still spoke about going out to the harbor to check on his boat and sailing to Andros to catch fish for his family and friends. A scary and funny story that his children now laugh at was Daddy's experience with his personal boat that his children later purchased for him when he was nearing retirement – a 35 ft. Sea Ray. He had taken Vanria, Dwight and Wayde fishing. They had engine trouble and drifted in Cuban waters for almost 5 days until they were eventually towed to the Bahamas by a Cuban fishing boat. We were all relieved when they were found and rescued, but thereafter all of us refused to ever go boating with him again. One of the Cubans that rescued Daddy maintained this special friendship and often telephoned Daddy whenever he visited the Bahamas. He bragged about the good that came out of the experience of being lost at sea and presumed dead by his family and friends.

Daddy loved to dress and took great pride in his appearance and personal grooming. He visited his barber often, shaved daily with a razor, and similar to his children, loved cologne – in the early days, Old Spice. He always carried his trademark pipe, until Adrian took it away from him in 2006. He refused to part with his pipe and told everyone that he had smoked his pipe from he was 14 years old and was in better health than all of us who encouraged him to stop. His friends on Potters Cay, at the Bird Nest Restaurant, Seven Seas, Comfort Zone and many of the restaurants that he frequented often for his favourite Bahamian foods - boiled and stew fish. He had mastered these recipes at home and often cooked boiled crabs, swinge cat, and many other Bahamian delicacies for his family and friends. Later on in life, he developed an affinity for cornmeal, oatmeal, and returned to loving flower pap – cooking these better than anyone else in the Cargill household.

Without question, Daddy was mischievous but despite this and any other challenge he may have had, Mummy said on Sunday, February 24, 2013, when she realized that her life partner of 66 years had quietly slipped away, that if she had to do it all over again, she would marry Alton – he was not only her best friend, but the love of her life from the time she was 14 years old. Through this special relationship, she developed close friendships with his sisters, Lucene, Eulah, Ivy and, Tita, and his brothers, Hillary, Roy, Urban, and Arnold, and their wives and children, and every day, she and Deli chatted for hours on the phone discussing everything under the sun, including politics and their children. These friendships and relationships have endured more than 66 years and have produced many Cargills that continue the tradition of family love. Although Daddy never gossiped, nor got involved in matters not relating to the welfare of his family, or the PLP, he was a defender of many. He provided employment for many of his nephews and children in the construction trade and at the Shell Gas Station, and developed many close friends from these experiences – some have predeceased him and those that remain, cherish his friendship and often asked his children about his welfare. Many chose him to renovate or build their homes and one of the last he completed was the residence of his niece, Tonia Cargill-Adderley and that of his son, Troy and his wife, Angelia. He was determined to complete Troy and Angelia's residence and though he was ailing, dutifully worked on this house daily until they moved in.

When he could no longer attend St. Anselm's Parish with his son Godwin, Monsignor Preston Moss arranged for the Holy Eucharist to be brought to him by Senator Joseph Curry and D'Arcy Rahming. He developed a very close friendship with them and looked forward to these visits every Sunday. Mummy's proudest day was almost 5 years ago when Daddy committed his life to Jesus. He kept his Bible at his bedside until the end. During the days he was in pain, he sang loudly, and somewhat melodiously, many of his favourite hymns, particularly "There is a Green Hill Far Away." This often scared us but his doctors reassured us that he was okay and not going anywhere at the time. No matter how sick he was, we all understood these words and knew how important they were to him. His children are grateful to his caregivers, particularly Batsheba Latouche, who looked after Daddy as if he was her father. Adrian, who along with his son Ayden, did most of the heavy lifting and ensured that Daddy was always clean and shaven. Whenever Adrian or Algernon shaved him, we saw the great deal of pride he had, and he never refused to be shaved – often provided directions to us on spots that we thought we had missed, and although we knew we did not, we covered them again as we did not back-talk our Daddy or challenge his position as the head of the Cargill family. Troy cooked Sunday dinner for Mummy and Daddy and diligently fed him every Sunday.

Seeing Daddy sick and losing some of his memory, his independence and mobility, were some of the hardest things we have ever experienced, but we knew that with these changes, his soul remain anchored in Jesus. He never refused to pray or to accept prayers, and seemed to have recovered after Father Anselm Russell gave him his last rites, on Monday, February 18, 2013, a few days before he died. When Mummy returned to Nassau from visiting Beverly in Florida, who is battling non-smokers lung cancer, Daddy immediately recognized her presence and despite his illness in his last days on earth, perked up when she returned, and spoke louder and more audibly when he heard her voice after she was away for less than 1 week. We thought we would have our Daddy for a few years as he stated that he would not go anywhere until he reached 95 years, but now recognize that Jesus wanted him more. We are comforted in knowing that he made his peace with God many years ago and he never strayed from his strong Catholic and Christian beliefs.

Daddy, we miss you, we will always love you, and we can only hope to be at least half the role model, half the parent, half the exemplar, half the person you were. You have left us and it is certainly not easy, but we are comforted in knowing that although we will forever love and miss you, Jesus loves you best. The hearts of your family will mourn forever and you will never be forgotten by your wife of 66 years, Madge Evelyn, your children, Sidney, Vanria, Beverly, Godwin, Adrian, Cloretta, Wayde, Algernon, Ursula, Troy, Robertha and Rodd and we are proud to be a part of all that you stand for.

Alton, Daddy (Boodle) is survived by his wife, Madge, his children and their spouses Sidney (Martha), Vanria (Dwight), Beverly, Godwin (Michelle), Adrian (Brenda), Cloretta (Glenn), Wayde (Deidre), Algernon (Lamar), Dr. Ursula Ph.D., M. Div, Troy (Angelia), Robertha (Byron), and Dr. Rodd.

His grandchildren: Donahue (Raquel), Cindy (Randy), Erica (Raymond), Shirls, Michael, Vanricka, Javanthe, U'Shareme (Renold), Jessica (deceased), Carla, Godwin Elliot, Jordanna, Brandi Lauren, Justin, MiQuisha, Dr. Adrian Jr. (Christie), Ayden, Symonne, Glendia, Wayde Jr, Dr. Algernon, Aldyn, Alvan, Alaina, Troy Jr. (Chach), Trovayne, T'Angelo, Byron Jr., Travvis, Rodd Jr., Shakara (Mauricio), and Imani.

His great-grandchildren, Delon, Destiny, Danny, Joshua, Rashante, Lavante, Rayasia, Christina, Jayden, Logan, Rayhan, Ashley, Kaylan, Mikkel, Kasey, Disha, Sean, Synai

Sisters and their Spouses: Lucene and Arlington (deceased) Wilmott & Family, Eulahmae and Wilbert Edgecombe & Family, Family of the late Emily "Ivy" and Albert Rahming, Family of the late Veronica & John Spence

Brothers and their Spouses: Urban (deceased) and Velma Cargill & Family, Arnold (deceased) and Doris Cargill and Family, Family of the late Roy & Hilda Cargill, Family of the late Hillary & Josephine Cargill

In-laws and their families: Hilfred Bullard (deceased) and family, Leo and Agnes Lundy (deceased) and family, Alexander and Roslyn Evans (deceased) and family, Ivan and Miralda Minnis and family, Dudrie Minnis and family

Numerous other relatives and friends: Family of the late Florie & Solomon Pinder, Family of the late Addie & Felix Wallace, Family of the late Eva Cartwright, Family of the late Lee and David Armbrister, The Cargill Family of Small Hope Bay, The Glass Family of Exuma, Monsignor Preston Moss, Monsignor Alfred Culmer, Father Anselm Russell, Family of the late Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden Pindling and Lady Pindling, The Rt. Hon. Perry Christie & Mrs. Bernadette Christie The Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham & Mrs. Delores Ingraham, Hon. Philip "Brave" Davis & Mrs. Ann Davis, Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis and Family, Hon. Melanie Griffin and Mr. Leon Griffin and Family, Audley Fraser and Family, Mr. Randolph Minnis and Family, Senator Joseph Curry and Family, D'Arcy Rahming and Family, Former Senator Audley Hanna and Family, Miguel Jimenez and Family, Dr. Kevin T. Bowe and Family, Dr. Patrick and Mrs Susan Cargill and Family, Dr. Perry Gomez and Family, Kenuth Knowles and Family, Hon. Earl Deveaux & Family, Kenris Carey & Family, Lisa Lafleur-Major and Family, Lorraine Cartwright and Family, Arnold and Lisa Bain and Family, Family of the late Peter Outten, Family of the late David Bowe, Charles Clarke and Family, Family of the late Gerald Bartlett, Family of the later Walter Thompson, Family of the late Arlington Munroe, Family of the late Ira Smith, Family of the late Alva Smith, Neville Turnquest and Family, Hon. Darrell Rolle & Family, Family of the late Teddy Greenslade, Ms. Birdina Moxey-Taylor, Skinny Moxey, Sir Arlington & Lady Sheila Butler & Family, Sir Orville Turnquest & Family, Deborah and Sharon Rose and Family, Marguerite McKay-Dean and Family, Brokell Kelly & Family, The Coakley Family of Calabash Bay, Andros, The Hanna Family of Love Hill, Andros, The Hinsey Family of Love Hill, Andros, The McKenzie Family of Love Hill, Andros, The Bain Family of Behring Point, Andros, The Thompson Family of Fresh Creek, Andros, The Minnis Family of Calabash Bay, Andros, The Thompson Family of Calabash Bay, The Rahming Family of Small Hope Bay, Andros, Ivan Johnson & Family, Captain Prince Munroe & Family, Bill Adderley & Family, The Deveaux Family of Staniard Creek, Andros, The Johnson Family of Staniard Creek, Andros, The Gay Family of Fresh Creek, Andros, The Newton Family of Blanket Sound, Andros, Mr. Cedric Lightbourne and Family, Mr. Michael and Mrs Winnie Thompson and Family, Anthony and Keva McKinney and Family, Melvin Seymour and Family, Jan and Derek Davis and Family, The Braynen Family of Fresh Creek Andros, The Families of Bowen Sound, Cargill Creek, Behring Point and South, the Nassau East Queens Road family, Clayton and Carmetta Taylor and family, the Rose, Elliott, Gomez, Victor, Wright, and McKinney families, and his beloved PLP family, particularly the Yamacraw Branch of the PLP.

Alton is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends all of whom we recognize and appreciate but are too numerous to mention at this time.