This year was marked by the loss of several Bahamians who strove to make The Bahamas a better place. Their legacies reflect a deep commitment for developing the moral and cultural fabric of society, making them irreplaceable national treasures.
On February 7, Bishop Michael Hartley Eldon passed away.
Ordained as deacon in 1954 and then as priest in 1955, Eldon was consecrated Bishop Suffragan of New Providence in 1971.  He served as Diocesan Bishop from 1974 until his retirement in 1996.
At his funeral on February 15 at Christ Church Cathedral, Bishop Eldon was remembered as 'the people's bishop' as he was always with them even beyond his capacity as a church leader.  Indeed his influence extended to education as a founding chairman of The College of The Bahamas board of directors, as well as to service in feeding the needy and assisting recovering drug addicts.
In helping to mold all sectors of society, Bishop Eldon was a true conscientious citizen and community leader.
The Bethel family suffered a double loss as Dr. Keva Marie Bethel, Bishop Eldon's sister, succumbed to cancer on February 15, hours before her brother's funeral.
Dr. Bethel was described by the prime minister as an "extra-ordinary Bahamian".  Like her late husband E. Clement Bethel, Dr. Bethel was dedicated to the promotion and advancement of Bahamian culture.
Most notably, Dr. Bethel was also a pioneer in education, joining her brother on the founding board of directors for The College of The Bahamas.  Dr. Bethel acted as principal of the college from 1982-1995, and then as its president until 1998.
As an educator for more than 50 years, Dr. Bethel never stopped in her efforts to advance the intelligent development of Bahamian citizens -- efforts that were honored by her students and colleagues at her memorial service on February 18 at the college's Centre for the Performing Arts.
She was a quiet hero and a magnanimous leader -- with a kind spirit, a purposeful vision, she inspired countless Bahamians to work towards building a dynamic nation.
Another Bahamian icon, Basil Dean, passed away on February 11 in Florida while being treated for cancer.
Beloved and respected by police and feared by criminals, Dean changed the face of crime fighting in The Bahamas. Joining the police force in 1966, Dean served selflessly for 31 years, retiring as assistant commissioner of police.
He then took up the position of vice president of Security and Surveillance at Atlantis resort.
At his military funeral at Christ Church Cathedral on February 22, the beloved Dean was remembered for his no-tolerance stance on crime and his personal integrity.
As his son Brent Dean pointed out during the service, his father left the police force with his integrity intact, considering that his greatest achievement in a time where some policemen readily received bribes and could at times hardly be separated from criminals themselves.
Those who worked with him after retirement looked on him fondly as an important mentor in their lives, for whether in the police force or at Atlantis resort, Dean molded the moral integrity and pride of many a student as an exemplary model.
This year, the Bahamian community also mourned the loss of a great cultural figure, Jackson Logan Burnside. He died on May 11 after suffering a brain aneurysm on April 15 at age 62.
Burnside was a true cultural icon passionate about all things Bahamian.  As an architect under Doongalik studios, Burnside preserved in all of his design projects the 'Bahamianness' in local architecture. Such efforts are seen in many of his projects, including the iconic Atlantis Marina Village.
Considered one of the master artists of The Bahamas, Burnside's colorful paintings invoked in viewers pure joy and appreciation for their heritage.
As Burnside was also a founder of One Family Junkanoo group along with his brother Stan, an elaborate Junkanoo rush-out in his honor followed his funeral service on May 19 where his role as a mentor to many young Bahamians -- whether future architects, artists, or Junkanoo icons -- was remembered.
Though the loss of Burnside is a huge blow to the cultural development of The Bahamas, his passion will live on for he shared it with every single person he came across in his life.
In December, The Bahamas faced the unexpected loss of Canon Neil Roach. As the longest-serving rector of Holy Cross Parish, his death came just days before he planned to celebrate the 54th anniversary of being an ordained priest.
His influence extended beyond his religious post however, for as an honorary consul to Trinidad and Tobago, Canon Roach helped to shape regional foreign policy and contributed to the civic life and development of The Bahamas.
Remembered by many as a particularly jovial and outgoing person, Canon Roach always urged people to see the glass half full, to practice thankfulness and to celebrate life. Nevertheless, with unwavering faith, he was adamant about upholding certain cultural norms about the Anglican Church. Indeed, he was a major icon in the Anglican community who even after his retirement remained dedicated to teaching and guiding people in the community.
Also in December, Bahamians lost a national hero when Sir Clifford Darling died after a long illness at the age of 89.
The fourth Bahamian-born governor general, Sir Clifford had a long and significant career in politics. He served as a Progressive Liberal Party MP for about 25 years.
Appointed as the Minister of Labor and National Insurance in 1971, he introduced the National Insurance Programme on October 7, 1974, ensuring every Bahamian received assistance in their time of need.
From 1977 to 1992, Sir Clifford served as the speaker of the House of Assembly and in 1992 was sworn in at Government House as the governor general of The Bahamas, a post he held until 1995.
Indeed, Sir Clifford fought for significant change in The Bahamas, and not only as a politician. From his beginnings as a taxicab driver and general secretary and then president of The Bahamas Taxicab Union, Sir Clifford sought to ensure fairness in Bahamian businesses and society. From the early 1950s he worked with hotels to ensure Bahamian taxicab drivers received fair treatment and share of passengers from the resort clientele.
Through a general strike in 1958 where he worked with the union to blockade the airport, Sir Clifford helped to forge an agreement involving hotels, tour services and taxicab operators that has persisted to this day.
Sir Clifford was knighted by the Queen in 1977 and was a stalwart councillor, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the Progressive Liberal Party.
In December, Reginald Dumont, the husband of former Governor General Dame Ivy Dumont also died. Dumont was 88.
Of course there were many other beloved Bahamians who made contributions to the development of The Bahamas who died this year.  They too will be fondly remembered by many.  Though their journeys on earth have ended, the legacies of these great Bahamians will be felt for many years to come as they live on in the lives of those they changed.

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