Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament, Ervin Knowles has passed away on Sunday at the age of 84 years.
A building contractor and land developer, Mr. Knowles was first elected to Parliament in 1977 as a member of the Bahamian Democratic Party, but resigned from the party in June 1978. He later became a member of the Progressive Liberal Party and was elected the Member of Parliament for the Cat Island constituency in the General Election of 1982.
In the June 19, 1987 General Election he retained his Cat Island seat. He was subsequently appointed Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Industry and Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation. Mr. Knowles also served as chairman of both the Port Authority of New Providence and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.
He resigned as Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Industry on March 28, 1990, and as a Member of Parliament on November 20, 1991.
The former MP was appointed Bahamas Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) in February 1992.
He attended Eastern Junior and Senior Schools and Saint John’s College in Nassau.
An Anglican, Mr. Knowles was married to the former Stella Symonette of and they had three sons and three daughters.
Opposition Leader Philip Davis in a press statement said, “I am saddened to learn of the passing of a friend and colleague after a long and courageous battle against illness.
“He was known for his connection to Three Queen’s Restaurant on Wulff Road. Mr. Knowles was responsible for a number of construction and road projects in Cat Island and represented that Island with distinction from 1977, resigning in 1990. I was fortunate enough to succeed him upon his resignation in a bye election.
“Mr. Knowles was a son of the soil, a good man who loved The Bahamas and served it well.
“I remember his service to Cat Island as a businessman and investor and as the Member of Parliament.
I extend condolences on behalf of my wife Ann, the Deputy Leader Chester Cooper, Our Chairman Senator Fred Mitchell and the entire Parliamentary team and National General Council,” said Mr. Davis.
