News
Prolific ‘giver’ passes, Grand Turk mourns Franklyn Missick
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 4, 2022 – All TCI islanders know the statue of National hero J.A.G.S McCartney which stands proudly in Grand Turk but not many of us may know the story of the contributor of that statue. His name was Franklyn Missick, a private man about his philanthropic endeavors but a well-known businessman in the nation’s
Sadly, Missick passed away on Saturday May 29, just two days before J.A.G.S McCartney, someone whom he obviously admired, would be remembered on the annual holiday.
A man after McCartney’s own heart, he poured his time into making his country better and there is tangible evidence of his contributions all across the Turks and Caicos. Not only did Missick finance the statue of JAGS, He is also credited with financing the gazebo on Front Street opposite the House of Assembly.
The gazebo, which was constructed after hurricane Ike is a staple for students, giving them a safe place to sit and do homework as it also provides free access to Wi-Fi and electricity.
Missick also contributed to the library at HJ Robinson High School fully furnishing and equipping it with air conditioning.
Missick was a successful business owner with several properties leased by the government. His buildings housed the Integrity Commission and others and he’s also credited as a great contributor to all the churches in the Turks and
One resident told Magnetic Media “Whenever he found out that any church had a need he jumped in to help and after the Victoria public library burned down he offered space in one of his buildings free of charge for three years.“
Additionally Magnetic Media has been informed that after the hurricanes in 2013 when many businesses and buildings suffered damage especially government buildings he hosted several in his own buildings some free and some at significantly reduced rates and he never did it for the praise.
Retired TCI Newscaster Lynn Thomas said, “He was never one to do interviews. He never liked for his praises to be sung at all. I could have never gotten anything out of him.”
Missick was 75 years old at the time of his death, an avid philanthropist and a man who cared deeply about the Turks and Caicos and should be celebrated as such.