OBITUARY OF AMBROSE (KIM) EUGENE McSWEENEY
Ambrose "Kim" Eugene McSweeney was the second child and oldest son born to Mrs. Ruby Murdoch-Hill (nee Braithwaite) and Mr. Lionel McSweeney on Friday, October 22, 1954. Ambrose was christened at St. Barnabas Anglican Church by Father John Calnan and held fast to his Anglican beliefs and traditions throughout his life; he served on the altar and in the choir, and also shared the responsibility with Kathy, the eldest, of looking after his siblings at church and home.
He was an obedient child and embraced the added responsibilities associated with being the oldest boy, providing guidance, counsel, and supervision to his brothers and sisters, assisting his mother to manage the household as she worked as a nurse, sometimes double shifts to balance the household finances, and remained committed to his studies and later trade, as a certified welder. When Kim started school at Southern Preparatory, and later at Southern Junior schools, he quickly made friends because of his embracing personality and sincerity; he gravitated towards the technical side of learning as he loved working with his hands and was unquestionably a hard-worker. As he moved on to the Harold Road Senior High School (now A.F Adderley), he continued to demonstrate a passion for working with his hands; his industrious mindset stood out among his peers, and to his teachers, and he embraced the opportunity to concentrate on his chosen career as a welder at the Bahamas Technical College.
Kim's was recruited by the Bahamas Oil Refining Company (BORCO) after completing his programme at the Bahamas Technical College and was excited about the opportunity to relocate to Grand Bahama as he was able to not only live on his own for the first time, but assist his mother financially. He gained certifications from the Chicago Bridge Incorporated as a proficient welder and was seconded to Venezuela for 5 years as a young man, as he explored the world and was frequently commended for being a model employee. While living in Grand Bahama, he developed another nickname, "Iron" largely because of his commitment to his trade as an expert welder, and it was in this industrial city that he also met Advilda (Louise) Cooper (now deceased), and the coupled married in Freeport in 1975. The union produced 4 children, Jamal, Deepak, Crystal and Deanna; Kim loved them all equally and unconditionally. He remained committed to being the best provider to his new family, but never turned his back on his mother and his siblings. Throughout Louise's illness, Kim mobilized the entire family to care for her and to keep her in prayer, as they all believed she would overcome her terminal illness, even until the end. His faith in God centered him as he prayed for Louise's recovery and asked God to do whatever he thought was best as he laid this challenge at God's feet. After Louise passed, Kim fathered his youngest son, Lionel, whom he was extremely fond of and cared for him even throughout his illness and Lionel quickly became his new focus, as his older children had matured to adulthood and independence.
Throughout Kim's life, he served as a big brother to his siblings and although he had a family of his own, he supported his mother who today, remembers him as an obedient child, who never questioned her authority, her wisdom, her parenting, and her determination to provide all of her children with a life far better than the one she was living. Kim was always eager to help his mother and to serve as her aide; when his mother went on a Mediterranean cruise, and needed assistance, Kim was with her; he also did not pass up the opportunity to accompany her on a Caribbean cruise; when she underwent surgeries in Florida, he remained by her side, committed to her care and return to good health. His love for his family was admirable and during his own illness, he relied on the family's support, along with his faith, to carry him as he chartered this new territory of dependency. During the difficult days of dialysis, as he committed himself to this new way of life and looked forward to his mother, and brother Audley, taking him to dialysis treatment and visiting him often when he was hospitalized. He kept abreast of the local news and current events and enjoyed reading the newspapers and following the progress of his political party, the Free National Movement. When he was well and was asked to serve, he accepted the opportunity to join the Board of Directors of The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation and was extremely grateful for the opportunity given to him to make a contribution to national development by the party's leader, and Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham.
Kim loved his church and although he was in pain, and could easily contrive a handful of excuses why he should stay home and rest, he found his way to church whenever his health allowed. He never forgot his religious upbringing and had a favourite pew in St. Barnabas, near the back. His favourite mass was the 7am Sunday mass and he was excited to attend and hardly missed when he was well as he believed that all good things came through God, and his faith would continue to protect and cover him. He often commented that his love for the church was based on the upbringing in his home and the duty he had as a young man to not only served as the father figure in the house, but also, to be the exemplar for his siblings.
Although Kim was sick, he hardly complained. When he committed to undergoing dialysis, he would often remind his mother and brother Audley about his upcoming treatments, and looked forward to these outings with his family. Somehow, these medical trips evolved to social meetings that included lunch, tours around the island, and recanting of childhood stories about the family's humble beginning and transition to owning successful businesses in New Providence and Grand Bahama. During these visits, Kim did not hesitate to remind us that he was hungry and as evidence to his unselfish heart, he would take only a small bite of his meal, saving the majority, and sometimes all of it for Lionel, his youngest. During the last few months, although Kim needed increased medical care, he was not afraid, and embraced this as one of the changes he had to go through in his life's journey. His primary physician, Dr. Ilsa Grant, provided exemplary personal care and attention and always kept the family fully involved of his progress and setbacks. Towards the end, as his health faded, his love for the church and his family did not, and even though he could no longer move as swiftly as he did as a welder, he tried and did not use his illness as a reason to not work, as he was the provider of his family and wanted to retain this role irrespective of his failing health. We could count on Kim for his lively stories as a welder, for his vivid descriptions of the difficulties and handwork of this trade, his global experiences as a young man, his secondment to Venezuela, his love for the Church, and all of his children, especially Lionel.
Kim was born on a Friday and died on Friday, July 25, 2014, completing a full week's cycle. When he was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, he somehow knew that the end was near, but remained centered on his faith and family. He had his final relapse and his cousin Stephanie Rahming, who he was always very close to, confirmed that it did not look good. Many prayers were offered for him, and as he slipped quietly away at 8.35am, he died knowing that his life's journey, although short at 59 years, was complete. He had done his best with what he had, and his family was now fully prepared to continue without him.
Ambrose was predeceased by his wife, Advilda (Louise) McSweeney, his father Lionel Eugene McSweeney, Brother Steven McSweeney, sisters Kathy McSweeney-Miller, Ethel McSweeney-Wilson and Jane McSweeney-Miller.