Tribute to Reginald H. Lobosky

It is with a deep sense of loss and sadness that the Officers, Directors and members of the Bahamas Employers Confederation mourn the passing of Reginald Harcourt Lobosky. Mr. Reginald Lobosky, born on the 5th day of March 1933, was 71 years old when he passed away at Doctor's Hospital on Easter Sunday, the 11th day of April 2004. Mr. Lobosky, or "Reg" as he was known to his friends and colleagues, was born and died in the country he loved - The Bahamas.

Reginald Lobosky was the pre-eminent labour lawyer in The Bahamas, but he was much more than that. While growing up in New Providence he was a member of the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts, and later a rugby player. The diverse background of his adult life included a move to the United States in 1954 where he worked for Time Life Magazine. While in the U.S.A. he served two years in the United States Army, and began his university education at the University of North Carolina. He also studied music at the Juliard School.

Mr. Lobosky returned to The Bahamas in 1963 as a businessman and became active in politics. From 1968 to 1972 he was a Senator for the United Bahamian Party as well as the Party's Chairman. In 1972 he began his study of law at the University of London, obtaining a Bachelor of Law degree and a Master of Law degree in Maritime Law and Insurance Law. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1976.

In 1977 he returned to Nassau with his wife Sarah, was called to the Bahamas Bar, and along with his wife joined the law firm of Higgs and Johnson where he became a partner in 1980. In 1996 he and Sarah formed their own law firm, Lobosky and Lobosky which in 2001 merged with the law firm of Harry B. Sands and Company, becoming Harry B. Sands, Lobosky and Company, where he served as managing partner.

It was in 1978, shortly after returning to the Bahamas from London with his law degrees, when Reginald Lobosky became a member of the Bahamas Employers Confederation. He involved himself in all of its aspects, as at various times he served on the Management Committee, Council, Board of Directors, and was the immediate past President of the organization. During his involvement with BECon Reg freely gave of himself. He devoted time and energy to further the cause of BECon, giving advice and encouragement to his fellow members, speaking at functions, lecturing at training workshops, and brought his keen intellect to bear in legal analysis of legislation and pending legislation affecting employers. He did all of this without charging BECon for his services, and those times when his services were given in the Family Islands, he paid for his own travel without requiring reimbursement.

For those of us who knew Reg, and saw the work he did in various organizations such as BECon, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, Civil Society - Bahamas, the Trade Commission and various other government and private sector committees and groups, learned to appreciate that Reginald Lobosky was a true Bahamian Patriot. He was involved with these organizations and groups because of the great love he had for his country. He dedicated himself and worked tirelessly to make The Bahamas a better place for all Bahamians. We will never see his like again, and The Bahamas is a poorer place for it.

"Life, beginning at birth, is destined to end in death; and so many are born to live on without distinction then die in obscurity. But Reginald Harcourt Lobosky was a man with a mission to advance the cause of humanity. He was no ordinary man and by any measure chosen, he was a giant of a man. His ambitions and achievements speak volumes in humanistic values. Reg passed on at a time when the Bahamian people stood to benefit even more from his role as the people's advocate whose wisdom, knowledge and guidance would prove the measure of his great loyalty as a stalwart Bahamian. No ordinary man - a dear friend, a constant inspiration, a mentor who served in many capacities during his three-score and ten lifespan. But that was not time enough for the fulfillment of his mission; so a new goal, by reason of physical and mental strength coupled with an indomitable spirit was sighted at four score. However the Supreme Command was given Easter Sunday, 2004… Is Reg no more? We will not forget the generosity; indeed, we shall ensure that the image and personality of Reginald Harcourt Lobosky is enshrined and preserved as a Bahamian legacy by whatever means may be deemed appropriate by supportive family and sincere friends."

T. V. Arnett,
BECon Executive Director.

"It is with deep regret to learn of the recent passing of BECon's former President, Mr. Reg Lobosky. In the brief time I knew him, I found him to be an avid believer in BECon's cause and a generous contributor of time, effort, and legal wisdom to the organization. Please convey our sincere condolences to Mr. Lobosky's wife, Sarah, as well as to the BECon family. Our prayers are with all of you."

Luesette Howell,
Sr. Specialist for Employers' Activities,
I. L. O. Caribbean Office,
Port of Spain, Trinidad.

"I have been absent from my office for the last two weeks and returned today to discover the sad news of Mr. Lobosky's passing. I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Lobosky in his offices with Luesette Howell when I was in Nassau assisting BECon with its Strategic Plan in 2001. I know the great role he played as BECon president and the support he gave to the organization over many years. On behalf of all of us here in the I.O.E. I would like to pass on our condolences to the BECon Board, T.V. Arnett, your members and to Mr. Lobosky's family."

Brent Wilton,
Deputy Secretary-General,
International Organization of Employers,
Geneva, Switzerland.

"My colleagues in the Bureau for Employers' Activities and I were deeply saddened to have learned of the passing away of Mr. Reginald Harcourt Lobosky. Please accept our deepest sympathy on this occasion and convey our condolences to his family."

Jean-François Retournard,
Director, Bureau for Employers' Activities,
International Labour Organization,
Geneva, Switzerland.

"The Management of Bacardi & Company Limited would like to take this opportunity to express its heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Reginald H. Lobosky of Harry B. Sands, Lobosky & Company for providing the Company 15 years of loyal and dedicated work in the legal and industrial relations field. During his years at Higgs and Johnson's Counsel and Attorneys-At-Law Firm, Mr. Lobosky worked with Bacardi & Company Limited on many major legal and labour/industrial relations matters. He continued his dedicated services when he formed Lobosky and Lobosky Counsel and Attorneys-At-Law Firm and then as Senior Partner at Harry B. Sands, Lobosky and Company. His exceptional brilliance, his foresight, his calm and professional but yet tenacious and effective approach were just some of the many attributes that Mr. Lobosky possessed which led him to be a great human being. Mr. Lobosky will truly be missed, not simply because of his professional expertise, but primarily because he was a truly genuine Bahamian."

Bacardi & Company Limited,
BECon Member.

"We all thought of Reg as 'indestructible' - heart bypass surgery, kidney transplant, broken leg - nothing kept him down or out of 'doing' for very long… and he said many times, he still had a whole lot more to do. Three milestones he yearned to complete - finish his autobiography, compose a symphony, and obtain his PhD. The unfinished memoirs, scribbled sheets of music and interrupted thesis may still lie scattered on his desk in the making but whether printed or published, I think all us who knew him would agree that his life spoke volumes, his caring and generous spirit made many hearts sing, and his fund of knowledge, he was always willing to share, would fill unending dissertations. Reg embraced all God gave him… the good, the not so good and the Garfield. He had a zest for life and learning that knew no bounds. He will be sadly missed as a classmate, a colleague, a mentor and a friend. I hope his heaven is filled with all the wonderful caps and hats he could ever wish for.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow… what a ride!'"

…That was Reg… with his cap on!

Michelle Patterson,
BECon Director.

"There always comes a time at the end of all our lives when we must leave those we love on earth and give an account of our labour. That account is long for Reg Lobosky. Few among us achieve so much. Personally, I have had the pleasure of working with Reg both within and outside of BECon. He was my mentor. As his BECon Vice President, I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from and be guided by him, and to fill in for him at times during his illness. His contributions to the Bahamas Employers Confederation will be long remembered."

Felix Stubbs,
BECon Vice President.

"My association with Reg began in the mid 1980s through the Bahamas Employers Confederation. Through the years we served together on various committees, both within and outside of BECon, where I was able to observe his dedication to research and intense intellectual analysis before arriving at a position on various subjects. Once Reg formed an opinion on a matter he would let everyone know his view, whether it was popular or not. His opinions were always his own as he was not one to accept a view simply because it was trendy; however he never closed his mind to alternatives and would change his position when the change was supported by additional facts and information. I also discovered that Reg had a keen wit and a wonderful sense of humour. No matter how weighty the subject matter, he would invariably throw out a one-liner that would at the very least bring smiles to the faces present and during breaks would tell jokes that had us "rolling on the floor laughing". When he tapped me to succeed him as President of BECon I had no aspiration or thought of seeking the post, however his faith in me and belief in my ability persuaded me to accept the challenge. He became my mentor, drawing upon his experience to provide me with advice and support. Reg's insatiable quest for knowledge across a wide spectrum of subject matters as well as his ability to bring together disparate groups for a common cause never ceased to amaze me. As an example, I was surprised along with others when Reg composed the music and wrote the lyrics of "Civil Society" a jingle for Civil Society - Bahamas, an organization comprising a number of different and in some cases contrasting groups that he brought to the same table. Reg was many things in his life: husband, lawyer, businessman, politician, patriot and advocate; in addition he was my friend whom I shall miss."

Brian Nutt,
BECon President.

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