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Obie Wilchcombe

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Obie Wilchcombe
Member of the Parliament of the Bahamas for West Grand Bahama and Bimini
In office
2002 – 25 September 2023
Succeeded byKingsley Smith
Personal details
Born1959
Died25 September 2023
(aged 64)
Political partyProgressive Liberal Party
EducationQueen's College, Nassau

Obediah (Obie) Wilchcombe (1959 - 25 September 2023) was a Bahamian politician from the Progressive Liberal Party.

Career

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In 1975, Wilchcombe joined the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas as a journalist.[1] Wilchcombe was first elected to office in 2002 as the MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini.[2] He served as minister of tourism in the two governments of Perry Christie.[3]

In 2004, he survived Hurricane Frances reportedly saved many people.[4]

Wilchcombe was a close friend of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, and was accused of extortion following their sons death in 2009.[5]

Following the death of Elizabeth II in 2022, Wilchcombe expressed his desire for the nation to reject the British monarchy.[6]

Until his death he was Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Minister.[7] Wilchcombe was the third minister to die in office in The Bahamas in the last 50 years.[8] The by-election was won by Kingsley Smith.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ BAHAMAS, ZNS (2023-09-25). "The Life and Legacy of The Late Hon. Obie Wilchcombe". ZNS BAHAMAS. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  2. ^ "Obituary: Obie Wilchcombe, longtime Caribbean tourism leader". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  3. ^ "Shock and tears at death of Obie Wilchcombe". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  4. ^ Joseph B. Treaster (September 5, 2004). "Hurricane Frances: The Bahamas; Damage is Mostly Light as Storm Pelts Island Chain". The New York Times. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  5. ^ Harlow, John (January 25, 2009). "Senator 'tried to extort cash' from Travolta over son's death". The Sunday Times. UK. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  6. ^ Ward, Jasper (12 September 2022). "Davis willing to put republic move to referendum". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  7. ^ "BREAKING: Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe dies". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  8. ^ Dames, Candia (2023-09-26). "In 50 years, Wilchcombe third minister to die in office". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  9. ^ "SWORN IN: Kingsley Smith Jr sworn in as MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini". Eye Witness News. 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  10. ^ Brown, Krystel (2023-11-22). "Smith wins West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 2024-10-26.