Celebrating the Life of
Leonard Leesandrah Wilson
January 3rd 1953 – November 28th 2020
Obituary
Leonard Wilson was born January 3rd 1953 on the quaint and serene island of Acklins Bahamas. He was the oldest son of Lily Elizabeth Beneby Wilson and Leesandrah Wilson. He had a happy childhood in Binnacle Hill where he grew up with his siblings Maria, Fredricka and Bernard. He attended Pompeii Bay High School and Acklins Central High. He always exhibited leadership skills and was a very vibrant child. As a young adult, he realized that there were limited opportunities in Acklins. As a determined individual he decided to pursue employment in the city of Nassau.
He started off his career in the Hospitality industry at the Royal Victoria Hotel in the Front Desk/Night Audit department. Leonard was always seeking growth and advancement and as a result transitioned to several hotels. He moved to the Dolphin Hotel and the Anchorage Hotel as a night auditor. He later made his mark at the South Ocean Beach Hotel where he was hired as the Assistant Financial controller and through hard work and dedication, he was promoted eventually to Acting General Manager. In the early 1980’s his career shifted to the industrious city of Freeport, Grand Bahama as the Financial Controller of the Lucayan Harbor Inn and the Lucayan Bay Beach Hotel. He went on to work at the Shalimar Hotel as the Financial Controller. It was at this point where he was inspired by Mr. Thomas Bastian to shift his career from Hospitality to the Bahamian Labor Movement. He always had a desire and passion for assisting workers through his many years as a manager in the industry, so this was a natural transition that proved to be a milestone in his life. He started off as the Treasurer/Financial Controller eventually elevating to the General Secretary of the Hotel Workers Union. He worked diligently at the union implementing administrative procedures and financial controls. He also worked as a part of the executive team negotiating industrial agreements throughout the Bahamas for all hotel workers. He was involved in the most critical stages of growth of the Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union where he was one of the founding executives of Workers Bank, the National Cooperative Workers Credit Union and was also a trustee and board member of the National Workers Pension Fund.
Leonard devoted most of his career to the advancement and rights of hotel workers throughout the Bahamas. He travelled to various Caribbean islands becoming more knowledgeable of trade union and labor laws. He also took many business and labor law courses throughout his career to remain adept. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to illness but his contributions to the labor movement will forever be embedded in history.
Leonard’s resilience and vigor were admirable. He overcame many strokes and health challenges and continued to maintain that God would restore his health. Despite his disabilities, his faith in God remained steadfast and unwavering. He also did not allow his illness to interfere with his commitment to being a good father, brother, uncle, and comrade. Leonard’s personality and smile were infectious. He infamously ended all of his conversations with “May God Bless You”.
Legacy
He was pre-deceased by his parents Lesandrah & Lillie Wilson, Brother Bernard Wilson and his Sisters Margaret Johnson, Tericita Wilson and Marjorie Laing
Left to cherish Leonard’s fond memories are his children: Levin (Ashley), Katura, Leonard (Charlene), Donovan, Leveka and Victoria Wilson, 5 Grand Children: Lowell Bethel Jr., Londyn Wilson, Tavaughn Brown Jr., Calvin Wilson, Leonard Wilson Jr.
Brothers: Wheatley Wilson Sr, Stephen Wilson and Wilfred Anderson.
Sisters: Missionary Maria Wilson-Ferguson and Pastor Fredericka Wilson-Miller
Brothers-in-law: Nesbitt Ferguson, Buster Laing, Callan Miller and Kenneth Johnson
Sisters-in-law: Sylvia Wilson, Ruth Wilson, Shereidan Wilson
Nieces: Magnolia Wilson-Cole, Nudira Wilson-Ramsey, Syltura Wilson-Ferguson, Juanita Wilson-McPhee, Vel-Wheata Wilson-Stubbs, Keisha Hepburn, Shavan Ferguson, Clarissa Moss, Roselda Bowe, Michelle and Juliet Wilson, Precious Sawyer, Michelle Rolle, Andera, Audrey, Daphne and Shavette Anderson, Rosemary Pratt, Lillimae, Manuela and Sabrina Johnson, Gabrielle Laing, Stanasia Wilson, Shelveta Wilson,
Nephews: Wheatley Wilson Jr., Robert Wilson, Levardo Ferguson, Argelo Munroe, Candin and Cameron Moss, Bernard Wilson Jr., Gabriel Laing, Scott Ferguson, Ramon, Ranard, and Rakeem Wilson, Trevor, Dominic, Franklyn and DeAngelo Anderson, Kenneth Johnson Jr., Christopher Johnson, Steven Strachan, Christopher Butler, Dwayne, Carrington and Augusta Wilson
Grand Nieces and Nephews: Christian, Scottia and Shavanté, Kenyon, KayLeah and Keyanna Ferguson, Ewing Bethell, Deja and Matthew Munroe, Elora Moss and Mardiarr McKenzie, Diana, Shamira, Farrenez, Ferrjuante, Shanovia, Dianthia, Welyncia, Whitley, Syadelle, Nyzinga, Maddison and Morgan, Wheatley III, Thomas, Timothy, Joshua, Xavier, Aaron, Rakeem, Rashad, Wellington, T’naige, and Diallo
23 Great-Grand Nieces and Nephews
Cousins: Olvita Strachan, Leotha Nixon, Felix(Thelma), David(Katherine), Nathaniel Jr (Eulease), Philip(Anita), Felton(Eldora), Bishop Shelton (Shelly), Norman(Paulette), Stephen(Renee) and Vincent (Bernadette), Andrea Taylor, Yvonne Moss, Althea Williamson, Charles Newry, Cecil Newry III, Leon and Samuel Anderson, Vivian, Christine and Alworth Rahming, Mae Symmonette. Alphonso, Oswald and Julia Beneby. Hanford McFall, Barbara Hepburn, Daphne Rolle, Sheryl Demeritte, Hercules Hanna, Anthony Richardson, Allison Hanna, Gregory, Janice and Daron McKenzie
God sister: Monica Brown
Additional Family and Friends: Obie Ferguson (Queenie) and Family, Bishop Hulan Hanna and Family, Bishop Dwight Ferguson and Family, Betsy Wilson, Bishop Ghaly Swann and Family, Pastor Leroy Maycock and Family, Father Louie Dames, Roslyn Dames, Michael and Eulease Munroe, Yvonne Moss, Aldon and Althea Williamson, Charlotte Johnson, Yorrick Evans, Andrea Neil, Deborah J. Rahming, Paula Williams, Ben Williams, Roc Morris, Ann Rahming, Faye Pickstock, Shirley Brown, Coralee Bodie and Family.
Bible Verses
Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
A Poem
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
– By David M. Romano
I promise no tomorrow but today will always last and since each day’s the same here there’s no longing for the past. So when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart, For every time you think of me I’m right there in your heart.
Memorial Service
On Saturday, January 9th 2021
Time: 11:00am
We will celebrate Leonard’s Life. – Officiating Minister will be Bishop Hulan A. Hanna Senior Pastor
Assisted by: Deacon Felton Beneby
Location: Church of God of Prophecy, East Street Tabernacle
Due to COVID19 Restrictions Ceremony will be limited to immediate family.
Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Chapel, Mount Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on Friday from 12:00pm until 5:00 p.m.
Order of Service
Family Processional
Moderator- Deacon Felton Beneby (Cousin)
Opening Remarks- Moderator
Opening Hymn – And Can It Be
Invocation- Missionary Marie Ferguson (Sister)
Praise and Worship – Praise Team
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 – Philip Beneby (Cousin)
Tribute- Obie Ferguson (Friend)
Solo Selection – Tanzania Carey (Friend of the Family)
Tribute- Levin Wilson (Son)
Congregational Hymn – Blessed Jesus Hold my Hand
Tribute- Katura Wilson (Daughter)
New Testament Reading- 1 Corinthians 15: 50-58- Nudira Wilson (Niece)
Solo- Victoria Wilson
Eulogy- Bishop Eulan Hanna
Prayer for the Family- Pastor Fredericka Miller
The Committal
Bishop Eulan Hanna
Floral Tribute
Hymn- Glad Reunion Day
Closing Remarks & Benediction- Bishop Eulan Hanna
Guest Book
Please visit the Guest Book below and leave a Tribute to Leonard L Wilson. We would love to hear your memories, see your pictures, and read your kind words.
Video & Photo Gallery
The gallery below is a tribute to Leonard L Wilson from his family and friends. Feel free to email your memorable photos or tributes to levinwilson22@gmail.com
Acknowledgement
Our family wishes to express our sincere thanks for the expressions of love during our time of bereavement.
Hey Daddy. It’s been just over a year since we last spoke. I hope you Grammy, uncle Benard and uncle tuff are keeping each other company. Missing you lots. Always in our hearts.
You are a good man.
The little time i spoke to you, all i see is a great man who loves his family and kids and would always be there for them.
I know you are in a better place now and you will be smiling right now.
May your soul keep resting great man
We’re sharing your sadness and grief as we remember Leonard.
“Don’t think of him as gone away, his journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets, this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting, from the sorrow and the tears in a place of warmth and comfort, where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing that we could know today, how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.
And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched, for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.”
May beautiful memories bring you peace our dear family during this difficult time.
From cousin Mae Symonette and family.