Press Release

Statement of Condolence by
The Honourable Byran S. Woodside, MP
Minister of State for Youth and Sports
At the Recent Mortal Transition of
Champion Regatta Sailor, the Late Captain Rolly Gray

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, and on behalf of the entire local sporting community, I wish to extend profound condolences to the family, colleagues and countless young sailing enthusiasts who studied at the feet of that old Grandmaster and Champion Regatta Sailor himself, Captain Rolly Gray, who recently passed away unexpectedly. As always, the Grandmaster continued to confound us all as we were so much anticipating him and his ‘Tida Wave’ gracing us with their presence at this year’s Georgetown Regatta in Rolly Gray’s Harbour, Exuma.

Captain Gray was a Bahamian icon well known throughout local and international circles. He became one of a select number of Bahamians who achieved such widespread recognition for the social graces which he practised as an expert sailor, as a fine gentleman and as an exemplary role model for all those young men smart enough to comprehend his greatness. Fittingly, he was chosen by the Government of The Bahamas for inclusion on the Wall of Fame at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, joining the company of such fallen National Heroes and sailing giants as the irrepressible Bobby Symonette and beloved Olympian, Sloan Farrington.

In this regard, the Grand Master did manage to smell some of his flowers but only a small part of his story has been told. Indeed, of greater fortune to his legacy will be the fact that approval has already been obtained to induct the Grand Master into this country’s prestigious National Hall of Fame, formalizing the respect which The Bahamas harbours for his sixty-plus years of excellence as the champion of champion regatta sailors.

Much to his credit, Captain Gray was as fine a gentleman as he was a champion skipper. Stories abound of his honesty, integrity and respect for his sailing colleagues and associates. He was known to lend assistance to his most heated rivals, never losing sight of the bigger picture that how one wins, causes the sport of regatta to win, demonstrating his understanding that hot competition need not lead to personal animosity. In that regard, the Grand Master resisted the urge to flaunt his accomplishments although he possessed all the credentials to justify doing so.

Captain Rolly Gray’s legacy in Bahamian sport ultimately transcends regatta sailing, for in the sixty years that he competed, his name became synonymous with being the best in one’s given avocation. In so doing, he managed to obtain for himself, a life that approaches the biblical imperative of doing all that you can, in all that you do, by word and deed, to truly glorify Him who sent us.

To the immediate and extended family of Captain Gray therefore, I ask them to take exceptional pride in his life contributions, particularly in the countless lives he so richly blessed by his affinity to practise and preach fair play. I am confident then, that his many good deeds will long outlive the moments of his temporal journey among us.

May his soul rest in peace.