Roland Hezekiah "Rolly" Bridgewater Jr.

Roland Hezekiah "Rolly" Bridgewater Jr. Age 67 Years of 
#38 Washington Street North made his last catch and knitted his final straw, 
at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, April 07, 2016.

He was born at Duncan Town Ragged Island, The Bahamas on 
Wednesday, December 08, 1948. Here we are again this old familiar place- a 
gathering to remember our dearly beloved.  A short ten months ago we buried 
our father Roland Sr. and today, it is Roland Jr., Rolly, Moses, Uncle Mo, 
'Bridgie' - a man of many names, varied talents and skills and the first child 
of Roland Sr. and Myrtle Bridgewater. He was born from a rich lineage and bore 
the blended heritage of Scottish Governor and former African descendants. 
As a boy on Ragged Island he fished in the 'landing' and was referred to as 'Unca' Ivan, 
because if called whilst fishing, he responded, "sssh, Schoolie on 'ma line". 
He travelled the archipelago with his family, as his father gave loyal service to this country. 
The family settled in New Providence in 1961.

As a young man, he entered the work place at an early age 
as an electrician's assistant so as to assist his mother with 
the rearing of his three sisters. At an early age he told his 
family that he wanted to marry as many times as the Biblical 
Prophets and quoted a number of seven wives. He was more 
than half-way there, having married four wives.

Rolly was a protector of his sisters – we still smile when we 
reflect on Rolene coming home from school to tell him of a 
boy who had hit her. Now even though the baby Rolene often 
started such tiffs, she returned to school with her big brother 
to deal with the situation. Rolly, admonished the boy never 
to touch his sister again.  Well this was not what Rolene 
anticipated, and she shouted, "I did not bring you here to 
discipline him I brought you to cut his ---." A humble and 
quiet young man, Rolly', enjoyed his family; from the family 
beach outings to weekly visits with Aunt Freda and Zerlean.

Although asthmatic, he was especially blessed, and decided 
to follow in the footsteps of his father as an officer with the 
Royal Bahamas Police Force. There Moses made many true 
and loyal friends; and PC/187 Bridgewater, along with PC/452 
Leon Griffin his proclaimed "brother" and life-long friend, and 
other members of C Squad 1966, graduated and were catapulted 
into action to assist the Force and calm the riots of that year. 
As a Police Officer he progressed swiftly. 'Bridgie' followed 
his love for mechanical engineering and was promoted to 
Engineer of one of the four Police Boats that patrolled the seas. 
That Marine Division was later transformed and established as 
the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, where he served faithful until his resignation.

Rolly was a body-builder, he modeled with the Community Drama Club, 
he was a prolific poet and artist, and he later restored furniture and wove 
straw to make fanners and other decorative items.

Rolly first married in 1970, at a young age of twenty-one, this union begat 
a beautiful daughter Arinetha Florida. He went on to marry three more 
times and produced nine children over the years. His eyes twinkled at the 
sight of his children, his grandchildren nieces and nephews; whom he loved unconditionally. 
Throughout his life he always took the boys fishing; even when he had no boat they would 
fish from docks, rocks and piers, because it brought quality bonding time with his boys and nephews.

An avid traveller, he visited with his daughter Florida in Gainesville, 
his sister Miriam in Ft. Lauderdale and wherever the spirit led. 
'Uncle Mo' was a kind-hearted man and during the illness of Mama 
Diaz he was friend and caregiver for Ida and the family in Ft. Lauderdale.

Moses was a man for all seasons and even though he was no angel, 
he proclaimed his love for Christ during a fun outing with two of his sisters 
on Tuesday, 5 April.  Moses wanted only to see his last two sons graduate 
from College however; he did not reach the three score and ten years as 
promised by the Almighty. But he enjoyed his full life of 67 years. 
His last hospital visit was a brief 23 hours prior to his quiet 
passing at 1:35 am on Thursday, 07 April, 2016.

The memory of this dedicated family man, devoted dad, loving brother, 
caring uncle, kind friend, thoughtful neighbor, citizen and Child of God 
will forever live in the hearts of his many survivors.

Rolly Is Preceded In Death By His:
Father: Rev. Dr. Roland Emmette Bridgewater Sr.;
Mother: Myrtle Velancia Moxey-Bridgewater;
Grandfathers: Fredrick Bridgewater and Captain Hezekiah Moxey;
Grandmothers: Nellie Carnetta Hepburn-Bridgewater and Florida Valentine Wilson- Moxey;
Great Grandfathers: Andrew Bridgewater, Isaiah Hepburn, Horace Wilson and James Moxey;
Great Grandmothers: Henrietta Bridgewater, Ida Lockhart-Hepburn, 
Helen Munroe-Wilson and Rebeccah Moxey;
Great, Great Grandfathers: including Simon Bridgewater and Walter Scott Wilson;
Uncles: Ivan and Stanely Bridgewater and Hezron Moxey Sr.;
Aunts: Iva 'Blooming' Wilson, Ena 'Etta' Hanna and Inez Williams;

The Radiance of this "Turquoise of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
Wife of 34 years: Melanie Bridgewater nee Bullard;
Six Sons: Seika and Seth Bridgewater, Martin Dean, Kofi, Damu and Jerome Bridgewater;
Six Daughters: Simone, Sascha and Wanshell Bridgewater, Bradlisha Bullard-Bridgewater, 
Florida Bridgewater-Alford and Portia Bridgewater-Pelecanos;
Seven Grandsons: Jayson, Jermaine, Benjamin, Kareem, Reign Alford, Martin Jr. and Nick;
Eight Granddaughters: Jade Saunders, Symone Alford, Coafi, Precious and Damia Bridgewater, 
Mattavia and Martiniqua Dean and Alexandria Pelecanos;
One Brother: Ivan Bridgewater;
Six Sisters: Héloise Bridgewater-Stuart, Miriam Patrick, Rolene and Esther Bridgewater, 
Barbara Johnson and Dorinda Walker;
Seven Nephews: Sèan R. Stuart, Ryan Bridgewater, Hakeem Wallace, Michael and Patrick Stubbs, 
Orlando Johnson and Dominic Walker;
Twelve Nieces: Stephanie Cox (Donovan), Shanna Martin (Dangle), 
Sherice Scott, Elle Newbold-Semenov (Kirill), Melanie McFall (Marco), Sian Saunders (Jason), 
Cecile and Satyra Bridgewater, Amanda and Jamie Wilkinson, Donneka and Dorenda Walker;
Two Uncles: Harold Bridgewater Sr. and Carvel Moxey;
Nine Aunts: Willamae and Maude Bridgewater, Alfreda Hepburn, Enid Lockhart, Berneice Adderley, 
Pam Moxey, Gwen Ritchie, Katie Longley and Lois Richardson;
Fifteen Grandnephews: Durand, Stai, D'Shannon, Dangle, Kenneth, Micah, 
Kareem and Isaac Johnson Sr., DeAngelo, Bradley, Brandon, Johnathan, Lenardo, Curtell and Luke;
Twenty Grandnieces: LeShe, LaTravia, LeNea, Kelise, Donaleia, Signi, Paige and Kiah Stuart, 
Nia, Mia, Mayara, Deborah Johnson, Gail Bullard, Rebecca, Leah, Audrika, 
Lavanda, Braniska, Mira and Sadie.
One Great Grand Nephew: Noah;
Two Grand Uncles: Simon and Elvin Bridgewater;
One Grand Aunts: Verva Wallace;
Two Sons-in-law: Roy Alford and Michael Miller;
One Daughter-in-law: Doreen Dean;
Three Brothers-in-law: William Bullard, Melvin Johnson and Bruce Walker;
Two Sisters-in-law: Mae Culmer and Renee Bridgewater;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Paul, Andy, Dave, Lynden, 
Gerad and Leander Moxey, Edgar Styles, Kenneth Smith, Linda Moxey-Brown, 
Grace Moxey-Simms, Hyacinth Clarke, Casilda Moxey-McPhee, Tammy, 
Portia and Rebecca Moxey, Earnestine Moxyz-Currie, Sheila Knowles, Cathy Burrows, 
Maisy Knowles, Eloise Dean, Ralph Cooper, Clara Cartwright, Patricia Jolly, Phillip Major, 
Karen Minns, Playtell Newton, Luella Brown,  Ida and the boys (Ft. Lauderdale), Ethan Bain, 
Leon and Melanie Griffin, MP., Miriam, Monet and Margaret Lockhart, Melanie Cartwright, 
Christine Adams, Zelma Bethel, Lee Armbrister, Joyce Lewis, R/Supt. Christopher Smith, 
Sinidor Brice and Calvese RolleJoel Francois, Arinetta Hinsey, Leslie Williams, Raymond, 
Blatch, Dino, Peppy, Ceta Storr and their families. St. Elhomme, The Sturrup, Goffees and 
The Brown families, The Royal Bahamas Police C Squad 1966, The Washington Street Family, 
The Englerston Pool Club, McCartney Pharmacy and Family, The Ragged Island Community 
including: the Bridgewater, Hepburn, Wallace, Munroe, Maycock, Wilson, Poitier, Lockhart, 
Armbrister, Nesbitt, Pintard, Joffre and Curling families.
His Family Physicians, Dr. Patrick Whitfield;
His Family Dentist: Dr. Sparkman Ferguson;
Special Thanks To: CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, 
The Sandilands Rehabilitation Family, The Tire and Battery, 
The Stephen Dillette and many more family and friends too many to mentioned.

He is now comfortably at rest awaiting the return of Jesus, his Lord and Saviour