"If I can help somebody as I pass along the way, then my living would not be in vain"

One March 12th, 1945, as the cool winds blew over the serene and quaint settlement of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, the late Cyril and Lucille Joffre was overwhelmed with joy and gave thanks to Almighty God for a bouncing baby boy. They named him Fulton Dennis Joffre whom they affectionately called "Felton" or "Fellie".

He received his early education at The Ragged Island All Age School and grew up to be an intelligent and diligent young man. After his mother moved to Nassau, he lived with his Grandmother Ethel and his Uncle Cephas and family on Ragged Island. He then rejoined his mother in Nassau in the late sixties where he trained as an Electrician.

In the early seventies, Felton left Nassau and moved to Freeport, Grand Bahama to seek gainful employment where he was employed at Electrical Enterprises for a short period. He later became employed at the Bahamas Princess Resort and Casino, where he held the position of Chief Engineer for thirty-one (31) years. Later he was employed at Our Lucaya as Chief of Engineering, where he worked for twelve (12) years before retiring in 2010. Looking forward to retirement, he often remarked that it was now his time to enjoy life while spending as much time with his family and friends all over the Bahamas and abroad. He visited his eldest sister Elva in Nassau frequently and loved boating with his nephews, cousins and friends. Travelling to Regattas and going fishing in The Exumas and Ragged Island were his passion and favourite past-time. We can all remember him as the life of the party who enjoyed "hanging out". He was the one who granted each one their individual wish no matter what they asked for. He took the time to sit and talk and he cared about what was going on in your life. For this we thank God for the wonderful life he lived and enjoyed to the fullest.

His sisters Elva and Eunice lamented, "Fellie was a manly child and when he was told to do something he did it without any hesitation or problem". He was well known by many and he was also well loved and respected by those who came in contact with him. In 2010 Felton truly enjoyed the family cruise sailing throughout the Caribbean. He often spoke about the "All White Party" during that trip, where everyone worn white linen suits. He talked about the good old days growing up, and he shared fond memories as he bonded more on that particular cruise with his nephews Paul, Andy, Joey and Vallance. When talking about his childhood in Ragged Island, he would said, "you know back then parents would have been charged with child abuse because of how early in the mornings they made us get up to tote salt, draw water from the well and get wood for the fire all before going to school and then again sometime after school".

In 2011 he took Elva and Eunice to Freeport to stay with him for two weeks, to "pamper them", he said. He told them, "whatever you want to eat or wherever you want to go I will take you, don't worry about anything". They had a wonderful time and thanked him for his acts of kindness and consideration. All of his children, his brothers and sisters and many of his nieces, nephews and cousins can attest to the goodness of "Fellie". Each can recall a story of what "Unka Fellie" did for them. His brother Frankie can recall when "Mudda" sent him to live with "Fellie" in Freeport in 1972 for him to "learn some sense" and for him to get a trade. After obtaining a trade as a Welder, he spent twelve years living with "Fellie" in Freeport. To this day he is forever grateful for that experience because he is now the proud owner of Faith Welding for the past twelve years. Grace and Hyacinth recount the story of when they were younger he sat them down and sternly told them that they were to call him "Unka Fellie" and not address him as "Grammy say……….".

Felton took comfort in knowing that he had family members close enough to visit and care for him while at Uchee Pines Institute-Lifestye Wellness Center in Seale, Alabama. Felton left Freeport for a wholistic treatment July 12th, 2012 and remained there until his untimely demise on September 6th, 2012. Alvira, Feraldo, Delores, Hyacinth and Sonja can remember the long hugs, his small smile and his tears of joy when they visited. The family is extremely grateful to his son Feraldo who remained by his bedside during his entire treatment sessions and to his sister Alvira for the tireless care they both provided to "Felton" during his last days.

While abroad Felton testified of the goodness of The Lord, and told others he spoke to, of how he had accepted The Lord as His Personal Saviour. As he was preparing to travel back home to Freeport on Thursday September 6th, 2012, he told Alvira that he was going "HOME", not knowing that he was indeed speaking of his heavenly home and not his earthly home. As Feraldo and Alvira led him in reciting the 23rd Psalms, he passed away peacefully with them by his bedside.