Sir Jack Hayward remembered

Flipping Grand Bahama would be remiss if we did nothing to member one of the founding investors in the creation of Freeport .. Sir Jack Hayward.

For years this author has been trying to get that all exclusive chat with him but had to be satisfied with his recount of the old days when he spoke at a Chamber meeting last year.

It was a joy to film that despite the fact that my tripod was no where to be found that day. 

Sir Jack was not just interested in the development of Freeport/Lucaya, he had certain aspects he was particularly fond of. One being theatre and he along with others are responsible for the formation of the Freeport Players Guild and the Regency Theatre.

Thanks from Freeport Friends and Chris Child

The tribute to Sir Jack from Bahamasinfo.com said, "it is without a doubt that the Grand Bahama community and the world at large have lost a true thespian.

"Sir Jack Hayward was an iconic figure for live theatre in Grand Bahama. 

'Without Sir Jack there would be no Regency Theatre. Not only did he take the lead in providing the only purpose-built theatre for live performances in The Bahamas, but he also came to our rescue on many occasions,' said Ivy Elden, Freeport Players' Guild past President."

It was also recounted that the Freeport Players Guild was formed in 1961 by Sir Jack and opened with the Guild's first production "The Importance of Being Ernest". In 1971 Hayward was the leading force that built the Regency Theatre which rivaled any New York stage.

As a fellow thespian I would say that the Regency Theatre is still by far the best theatre and stage in The Bahamas, bar none.

Yesterday, February 23, 2015 Sir Jack was remembered in a service held at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ The King. 

He died on Tuesday January 13, 2015 in Fort Lauderdale at the age of 91 years old. He had always said playfully that he would be around for end of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, the document that formed the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the creation of Freeport/Lucaya which ends August 2054.

Of the three major investors there for the signing he was the last to pass on. His father Charles Hayward and U.S. investor Wallace Groves were the investors to sign the agreement, but Sir Jack was at their side and aided his father in this venture.

According to the notice for his memorial, he was survived by his wife Lady Hayward, and his partner of many years Mrs. Patricia Bloom who was at his side throughout his illness. He is also survived by his sons Richard and Jonathan, his daughter Susan, ten grand children and four great grand children.

It was asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the many charities that were dear to Sir Jack's heart - namely the Grand Bahama Humane Society, the Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp, G.B. Sailing Club, YMCA, Freeport Players Guild, Salvation Army, Jack Hayward High School, Rugby Club, Sir Charles Hayward Library and the Bahamas National Trust.

He may be gone but he won't soon be forgotten.

In his message about Sir Jack's passing the Prime Minister Perry Christie stated:

Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by the Rt Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas: 

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing this morning of Sir Jack Hayward. He was by common acclaim the single most important figure behind the economic development of the city of Freeport, Grand Bahama, in the post-Independence era, having succeeded to the leading position held by his late father, Sir Charles Hayward, in the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Sir Jack was a colourful, larger-than-life personality who was held in great affection by the Bahamian people and by successive governments of our nation. He was widely admired for his candour, warmth, generous philanthropy, and deeply held dual patriotism for his native England and The Bahamas. He was passionately committed to the advancement of Freeport in particular. Through good times and in bad, he remained steadfast in his loyalty to our nation’s second city and never lost faith in its future.

Indeed just before embarking on what was to be his last cruise, Sir Jack and his equity partner in the GBPA, Lady Henrietta St. George, had joined me in an important conference-call to discuss the way forward for Freeport. I was struck at the time by how optimistic and enthusiastic Sir Jack still was about the prospects for the expansion of tourism and industrial development in Freeport, this despite the increasing frailty of his own health and his greatly advanced years. He remained a true believer in Freeport to the very end of his days and had been looking forward to its continued revitalization.

On behalf of the government and people of The Bahamas, and on my own behalf, I extend condolences to Sir Jack’s bereaved family, including his extended family comprising his colleagues in the Grand Bahama Port Authority and his many friends and admirers in Grand Bahama, the United Kingdom and beyond.

May he rest in peace. 


While the Leader of the Official Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis said:

Nassau, Bahamas - Patricia and I were deeply saddened when we learned of the passing of the Honorary Chairman and Co-owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited and the Port Group Limited, Sir Jack Hayward. Born in Woverhampton, England in 1923, he was fiercely patriotic and well-known as “Union Jack”. He was knighted in 1986 for his many contributions to Britain.

Sir Jack will be remembered in The Bahamas as a successful businessman and one of the founding fathers and architects of Freeport. Coming to The Bahamas in 1956 he was a true nation builder, as thousands of Bahamians from all walks of life and every island of our Commonwealth came to live and benefit from the development of our nation’s second city. Sir Jack and other legendary figures such as Wallace

Groves and Edward St. George saw Freeport emerge from a pine barren to the thriving city it is today.

Sir Jack was beloved by the Bahamian people and was widely admired for his great and generous philanthropy especially in education and sports. He was a lifetime major supporter of the Salvation Army and instrumental in its introduction to Freeport. He is also credited with the introduction of The YMCA to Grand Bahama, founding The Sir Charles Hayward Library, The Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club, The Grand Bahama Humane Society, The Bahamas National Trust, the Regency Theatre, the Freeport Rugby Football Club, the Sir Jack Hayward Soccer Camp and The Grand Bahama Sailing Camp. Sir Jack’s last public appearance was at the opening of new tennis facilities at the YMCA in Grand Bahama where he was a sponsor and the keynote speaker.

Over the years the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited continues to make available annual College scholarships to hundreds of deserving Bahamian students. In 1998, The Free National Movement built and named the Pioneers Loop High School, one of Grand Bahama’s modern high schools, “the Sir Jack Hayward High School,” a most deserving recognition, by the FNM Ingraham Administration.

As we remember the life of Sir Jack we must remember the many less fortunate in Freeport whom he sought to help over the last few years as Freeport’s economy remains challenged and we are called to fulfill Sir Jack’s vision for a vibrant economy which must now become our priority. His passion for the young people and their education must now become our passion.

We acknowledge with gratitude his lifelong dedication to the development of Freeport, the community of Grand Bahama and the Bahamas. On behalf of the Free National Movement family and on my own behalf, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his entire family, colleagues and friends here and around the World.

May his soul rest in peace.

Another photo to the Freeport Players' Guild from Chris Child