The Kiwanis body mourns the passing of a great Bahamian hero and an esteemed contributor to the work on Kiwanis not only in the Bahamas, but in the Caribbean and Eastern Canada in the persons of Dr. Hervis Bain.
Dr. Bain who is also the designer of the country’s national coat of arms passed away this past Sunday. He was 73-years old.
Dr. Bain is also the only Bahamian to serve as Governor for the service organization which saw him overseeing not only the Bahamas, the Caribbean, but Eastern Canada, as well, during his tenure from 1993 to 1994. In that capacity he would have been responsible for supporting and strengthening existing clubs, opening new clubs, and delivering Kiwanis education to clubs in co-ordination with Kiwanis International.
“He was a nation builder who shared the same passion he had for the country with Kiwanis,” said serving Lieutenant Governor Alfred Poitier. He said his death was a major loss not only to Kiwanis, but to his country for the many contributions he made.
The Kiwanis family locally, and those in the Caribbean and ECC mourn the loss and extend heart felt condolences to his immediate family on the loss of this great son of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Dr. Bain was also a Baptist pastor, who led the St. John’s Native Baptist Society of Churches. His professional career began with him serving as an art teacher at The Government High School.
On December 7, 1971, his design of the coat of arms was officially approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Later in that same year, he was honored as a member of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Throughout his life he achieved many awards that included the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award for Public Service and the Sir Lynden Pindling award for excellence.
