2008 photo of the late Sonny Waugh, aka "Mr. Rotary" cutting his cake on his 80th birthday. Photo Derek Carroll Photography.

The island of Grand Bahama has suffered a great loss with the passing of legendary businessman and noted Rotarian Harold Sonny Waugh.

Eighty-four-year-old Waugh was born in Nassau in 1928 and established a name for himself in Grand Bahama through a series of business ventures.

In 1965, Waugh introduced Grand Bahama to premier construction services with the opening of Waugh Construction (Bahamas) Limited located on Shelly and Milton Streets.

An impeccable businessman with a passion for his country and community, Waugh joined the Rotary International organization in 1972.

Waugh exemplified the Rotary Club's motto "Service Above Self" and his efforts within the club both in The Bahamas and internationally afforded him the distinct privilege of being known as Mr. Rotary.

Noted fellow Rotarians from around the island shared fond memories, admiration and gave their condolences to the Waugh family and Rotarian community throughout The Bahamas.

Businessman Dennis Knowles said: "Harold Sonny Waugh was a good man, father, businessman and Rotarian. He will be sorely missed."

Immediate past president of the Rotary Sunset Club Philip H. R. Armbrister said that while he had not known Waugh as long as other members within the Rotary organization he too was saddened by his passing.

"It is a sad day for Rotarians losing one who encouraged us and lived the Rotarian life in the way one should.

"Mr. Waugh's guidance, encouragement and his all around good natured spirit will be sorely missed," Armbrister said.

Mike Stafford assistant district governor 2013-2014 of the Rotary Club of Freeport and close family friend was taken aback by Waugh's passing.

"I have had the honor of knowing Sonny Waugh since I was a child. He was a great Bahamian who was genuine, honest and a man of his word.

"He was a true ambassador to Rotary and The Bahamas, and in particular Freeport, when he traveled to various Rotary International conventions and events.

"Everyone knew "Mr. Rotary" and he was welcomed everywhere he went and he went everywhere, never missing Rotary when he traveled abroad.

"I feel truly blessed to have grown up with his kids and to have known Sonny well and been able to travel with him to international conventions where he would always volunteer as a Rotary Sergeant of Arms, and of course, sample the local foods and produce.

The late Sonny Waugh on his 80th birthday in 2008 surrounded by his three sons. Shown here from left to right are, Greg, Sonny, Godfrey, and Brian Waugh. Photo Derek Carroll Photography.

"Sonny was the driving force in the construction of the Grand Bahama Emergency Water Relief Foundation, commonly called the Rotary Water Plant.

"I firmly believe that Sonny's great work and good deeds will carry on for eternity in what he has left behind and in those that he inspired as a mentor throughout his life.

"I will miss him greatly but am comforted by being close to his family," declared Stafford.

Billyjane Ferguson secretary and president elect for the Rotary Club of Lucaya endearingly spoke of Waugh who was a shining example to her.

"I came into Rotary October 2006 and I met Sonny when he came to my club as a visiting Rotarian.

"I recall getting up to introduce myself and he shouted out, 'Speak up, speak up I can't hear you!' and that was one of my funniest memories of him," she said.

Ferguson also recollects a time when Waugh led her into the bank as a new Rotarian and she forgot to wear her Rotary pin.

"I forgot my pin and he went into his hearing aid kit and gave me a Rotary pin, which I wore from then right up to today.

"Rotary on Grand Bahama will never be the same due to the loss of Mr. Waugh and he has made a tremendous impact not just in district 6990 but on Rotary International where he is known worldwide," she said.

Ferguson, though saddened, recalled these memories and vowed to hold them close as she was indeed honored to know Waugh and is thankful for Waugh's life and mentorship as a fellow Rotarian.

In February of this year, the Rotary Club of Freeport celebrated its 50th anniversary and during that time all four Rotary Clubs on the island came together and surprised Waugh with the Sir Durward Knowles Humanitarian Award for his more than 40 years of service and contribution to the club.

Donald Ward, founder of the Rotary Sunset Club, was humbled by the impact Waugh made on his life through the Rotary Club over the past 27 years and was elated when Waugh became the recipient of the Sir Durward Knowles award.

"I have known Sonny over the past 27 years through Rotary and as a client in the business sector.

"He was one of my greatest mentors without even mentoring me personally.

"We have worked well together and he has always given me invaluable advice.

"In my latest Rotary venture Sonny served as a special representative when I founded the Rotary Sunset Club in 2010, he was a great inspiration and when we could not find club sponsorship Sonny took it upon himself to become the sole sponsor in addition to being the district special representative.

"This icon of Rotary will really be missed by myself, my family and the Rotary family and Sonny is definitely irreplaceable.

"He was a man that loved to love Rotary and through him you saw the ideals of Rotary displayed as he was a literal man who did not just talk about Rotary International but he lived it.

"His family can be extremely proud of him, his life, being an entrepreneur, his advice and executing his commitment to his family and Rotary with every fiber of his being.

"I always said to him I don't know what I would do when he is not around, he alternated heading the district for many years and I have learned so much from him in doing so.

"Mr. Rotary is someone I loved, served with and depended on almost on a daily basis and behalf of my wife Yvonne, my family and the Rotary Sunset Club of which he was an honorary member I extend my deepest sympathy," Ward promulgated.

Rotary International and The Bahamas has lost a national hero, and Ollie Ferguson, general manager of The Freeport News along with its staff, salute and extend heartfelt condolences to the Harold Sonny Waugh family.

SOURCE