House Members on Wednesday paused for a moment of silence to honour the life of former parliamentarian Frank Edgecombe, who died at his Fox Hill home Tuesday night.

He was 85-years-old.

Mr. Edgecombe served as the MP for the Fox Hill constituency from 1977 to 1987 and as the vice president of the Senate until 1992.

He was also the longest serving chair of the Road Traffic Authority.

In a statement yesterday, Prime Minister Perry Christie expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Edgecombe, who he said was a man of tremendous dignity and quiet strength, always gentlemanly and courteous; a model of civility and good temper.

“Although he possessed deeply held convictions, his decorum was always of the highest standard. This was especially evident when he contributed to debates and when he would take the chair as vice-president of the Senate. He was the epitome of fairness, even-handedness, good sense and decency in the way that he dealt with others, be they friend or political foe. These same qualities were also exemplified in Mr. Edgecombe’s chairmanship over many years of the Road Traffic Authority,” the prime minister said.

Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Dr. Bernard Nottage shared equally fond memories.

“He’s a man who had self discipline and self confidence,” he said. “He was a hard worker and was loyal to this country, his party and to the people of Fox Hill.

“He was someone who brought people together as opposed to causing division. He was a good Christian gentleman who had respect for Christian values and the rule of law.”

Mr. Edgecombe began his working life as a teacher and became the first native Fox Hillian to head the Sandilands Primary School.

In fact, Dr. Nottage said because of Mr. Edgecombe’s work, the government has considered renaming the school in his honour.

Mr. Edgecombe was revered in the Fox Hill community for his quiet but fierce determination to work for and on behalf of all Fox Hillians.

Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant said while he did not know Mr. Edgecombe personally, his great work in this country speaks for itself.
“We are reminded that by the fruit we shall know the tree,” Mr. Grant said. “I do know a son of his who resided in Grand Bahama for a while. He was mild, well mannered with positive attributes. I can only assume that he inherited these from his father. So while we mourn his passing, let us celebrate his life.”

In a statement, sitting Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell expressed deep sadness following Mr. Edgecombe’s death, adding that he will be remembered for his life of selfless dedication and loyalty.

“He was a committed Baptist and a man of great faith,” Mr. Mitchell wrote. “He was revered in the community of Fox Hill for his quiet but fierce determination to work for and on behalf of his Fox Hill people.”

Back in August, the Springfield Road in Fox Hill was renamed Frank Edgecombe Street.

Mr. Edgecombe is survived by his wife Clementina and their seven children.