Every 'tick' had its' 'tock', every 'bang' a resounding 'boom', the atmosphere was charged with great anticipation as the excited residents of the picturesque settlement of Nad Quater, South Andros anxiously awaited the arrival of the town's latest bundle of joy. Etched in the sands of history, it would be told that on June 5th 1917, Theophilus and Sarah McKenzie gave birth to their sixth child, a radiant baby boy whom they christened Emperor.

I don't know if Mama Sarah and Papa Theophilus knew at that time why they named him Emperor, but he grew up deserving of that name. He was truly a Commander and supreme Monarch in his own right and that is the way we looked up to him and respected his wisdom.

In the year 1939, daddy was joined in matrimony to the lovely Jestina 'Zelles' Williams(Mother), and together they raised five boys and their beloved adopted daughter.

Daddy, affectionately called 'Ole Joe' by his siblings and friends, attended the all age school in Driggs Hill, Andros and later became one of the best fishermen in South Andros. Daddy, his brother Prince, and his brother-in-law George Fernander, invested in a fishing boat and named it 'Idena' (after Uncle Prince's daughter).

On December 18th, 1963, while daddy was on his way to Nassau to attend my wedding, he encountered rough seas, which forced the 'Idena' onto a reef, and destroyed it. Daddy and his crew survived the wreck by holding on to a dingy boat for the entire night while the small boat eventually drifted into Mangrove Cay the following day. This was one of the experiences he always shared with us.
Taking care of his family was priority for him and he took care of us the best he knew how. As a fisherman, daddy spent most of his time out to sea, leaving us five boys and Janetta at home with Mother. Every time he came back from sea, Mother would lodge he complaints about our behavior, most of the time the trouble would be me. Even though he was a disciplinarian, he would jokingly as Mother "you want me to punish my boys"? They ain do me nothing, these boys have to take care of me when i get old". So said........so done. And although the sea was one of Daddy's first loves, he would often talk about the adversity and wished for us to be formally educated so that we would have numerous options that he was not afforded. After toiling the seas for some time he decided, like many of his fellow Androsians, to go on the 'Contract' in the United Stated seeking lucrative employment that would enable him to better take care of his family.

Upon his return to the Bahamas, he opened and operated a food store and a bar-room. He gave up the bar-room after becoming an ordained Minister of the Gospel. He was very instrumental in building the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Long Bay, South Andros along with his sister Florence , and brother-in-law George. He was involved in many projects including a member of the Board of Works (now the Ministry of Works) working the road projects in South Andros, joining the PLP in the early sixties, and was also appointed a Stalwart Councilor by the then Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Shortly after the death of Mother in the year 2004, daddy was declared legally blind. And true to his ambitious character, and memory intact, he still insisted on doing for himself, but eventually it was decided that it was best to hire a care-taker for him. His care-taker, Ms. Idean Finlay took excellent care of daddy for six years up to the time of his demise.
On March 23rd, 2013 daddy complained that he was not feeling well, so Dudley and Idean took him to the local clinic in South Andros, but alas, daddy's time had come and his Lord and Savior called him on home.

Daddy was blessed by God with long life, and once called he was ready to go. He would always say to me, 'boy I'm tired ", and jokingly, I will ask "you working hey"? He would only smile and say "son, you know what i mean"......yes daddy i know.
Daddy will be missed by all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as countless relatives and friends. He had impacted many lives during his 95years on this earth and did many good deeds during his time. We will always love him, and cheris the time we had with him. Daddy is gone, but is legacy will live through the ages. God Bless You 'OLD JOE'.