After 41 years of dedicated service to the tourism industry in The Bahamas, Barry Farrington was honored during his retirement luncheon at Atlantis, Paradise Island.
The event held at Virgil’s Restaurant celebrated the many decades of service for who many call a tourism pioneer.
At the event Sir Sol Kerzner, former owner of Atlantis said that Mr. Farrington was one of the key persons that kept the hotel afloat and praised him for his immeasurable contribution to the success of the mega resort.
Prime Minister Perry Christie hailed Mr. Farrington as a man that served the community of The Bahamas on many different levels and capacities.
“Barrie is a shining example of what Bahamians can accomplish through hard work, integrity, reliability and dedication. Barrie’s record of longevity speaks to the consistently high degree of reliance that successive resort owners on Paradise Island have placed on him and his wisdom and skills over the years,” he said.
Also in attendance, former Prime Minister Hubert A Ingraham congratulated his good friend Mr. Farrington and said that he will forever be an imprint in the history of The Bahamas.
“Barry was a tough negotiator, was always persistent and patient. He is an early Bahamian success story and his contributions to the Bahamianisation of the senior management of the international hotels have been far reaching,” he said.
J. Barry Farrington in his remarks shared some of his history from his first job in 1954 with a public accountant and the start of his hotelier career December 1st, 1961 to his retirement date of January 11th, 2013.
Mr. Farrington got choked up as he spoke of his close relationship with Butch Kerzner, who died in a helicopter crash in 2006, saying “I will never forget the good memories and hard work and dedication that I had with Butch. His memory will forever linger on in my heart.”
The tourism legend, who’s retirement celebration brought out many including the likes of Sir Duward Knowles and former Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, said that his retirement doesn’t mean that he will disappear off the scene and grow old in a rocking chair far away.
“I think I have sufficient brain power that I can still make some contributions,” he jokingly said.
Mr. Farrington also recalled his humble beginnings growing up in a home with his six member family on Hawkins Hill where he says his family lived very modestly, yet comfortably and gave a bit of advice to attendees saying, “As we make our way through life, we have to understand that we don’t do it alone. For those of you whom I’m passing the baton to, run with it, and let’s make sure that we cross the line as gold medal winners.”
The tourism giant also served as served as chairman or a member on numerous Government Boards and Committees, including, most notably, Bahamasair and Bahamas Electricity Corporation.
Over the years Mr. Farrington’s achievements and contribution to the public good have been recognized by the award of the Cacique award and the Queen’s honour of CBE.
