By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
The Bahamas, May 9, 2025 – The Bahamas is mourning the loss of one of its most distinguished statesmen and legal minds, the Rt. Hon. J. Henry Bostwick, C.B., K.C., who died peacefully at Doctors Hospital on Saturday, May 3, 2025. He was 86.
Bostwick’s passing marks the end of an era in Bahamian politics and public service. A former President of the Senate and Leader of the Opposition, Bostwick’s contributions spanned decades and were instrumental in shaping modern Bahamian democracy. He is survived by his wife, the Rt. Hon. Dame Janet Bostwick, herself a political trailblazer, and their children and grandchildren.
An official funeral will be held on May 16 at Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau to honour a man widely revered for his intellect, integrity, and dedication to public service.
Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), Michael Pintard, reflected on Bostwick’s towering legacy, saying, “The Bahamas has lost a genuine patriot, a champion of democracy… a former Freedom Fighter who long carried the torch of freedom for his party and the nation.”
Educated at the University of Exeter, Bostwick was a respected attorney who served as president of the Bahamas Bar Association and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1994. In politics, he was known for his eloquence and fearlessness in the face of adversity, especially during the one-party rule era.
Serving as Senate President from 1992 to 2002, Bostwick’s political journey spanned both houses of Parliament and two major parties, making him a pivotal figure in the nation’s democratic development.
As a mentor and advisor to many, his legacy will endure in the principles he championed: justice, freedom, and public accountability. The Bahamas salutes J. Henry Bostwick for a lifetime of remarkable service.
