Death notice for Robert Emmett Cooper Pritchard, 74, who died on June 12th, 2025.
Robert Pritchard or “Pritch” to his friends and associates, was a man of many parts: a young daredevil who matured into a gregarious, fun loving family man with a wry sense of humour; a talented and innovative businessman; a super salesman; and an athlete and lover of all sport with a great sense of competition. A no-nonsense kind of man, yet compassionate with a deep sense of responsibility to his family, his friends, his business, his community and his country and everyone met the same Robert Pritchard, open, friendly and accepting of people from all walks of life.
His family and friends will attest that he was not one of those people who stood on the sidelines of life. He lived it whole-heartedly all in actively maintaining his interest in Asa H. Pritchard and other business ventures while keeping current with local and international affairs. Battling his illness over many years, took courage, and determination, qualities he had in abundance. He continued to drive himself to all his medical appointments; traveling with his wife Shelagh for medical and holiday trips or watching sports at home. He derived so much pleasure interacting with his children and grandchildren with outings and sleepovers or messaging his good friends and meeting up for lunch to shoot the breeze. A man who lived and loved life to the fullest despite the challenge and a man who might be surprised at the outpouring of loving support on his passing, expressed in an abundance of appreciative testimonials from people whose lives he impacted. These are just a few of many:
From Sara Parker: “Robert Pritchard was the visionary original sponsor with Asa H. Pritchard and Mahatma Rice for the Bahamas National Young Chef’s Championship. Created by P.S. Advertising in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, the islands’ wide competition is still going strong more than 30 years later, opening employment opportunities and providing scholarships for hundreds and hundreds of young Bahamians. Thank you Robert. RIP.”
From Jyrki Tabell, CEO Tabell Communications..
Dear Mr. Pritchard, Our deepest condolences on the passing of Robert Pritchard.
He is the “godfather” to our company in our eyes. When he asked my wife Tanja and me to produce your company a publication 30 years ago, it was the beginning of our company’s path to produce more than 1,000 publications in 30 countries since then. Thus, we owe a huge amount of gratitude to Robert Pritchard. All the best to you and your family in these times of sorrow and mourning.
From Robin Brownrigg:” Pritch was one of my longest standing friends. So many fun childhood and boarding school memories. Loved his spirit!! We set two Ontario Schoolboy swimming records together many moons ago and laughed through life. Just loved this guy as we communicated in his final days. I will miss him deeply.”
There are so many people who will miss Robert, amongst them his huge ‘family’ at Asa H. Pritchard who were genuinely sad when he gave up going into the office on a daily basis but always so happy when he dropped in to see them. And then there are numerous family and friends both here and abroad who are deeply saddened by this loss. Shelagh, his wife of fifty years; his two daughters and their husbands; Jodi and Will; Vanessa and Chris; son Heath and his wife Brianne; Grandchildren Cooper, Isla, Charlotte; and Madilyn; his brother Hugh, wife Linda, daughter Michelle, her children William and Ethan; son Neill and Lynn and their two children Erin and Callum. His cousins Fred Hazlewood, Sandra Kemp, Leslie-Anne Dexter, Myles Pritchard, Penny Burrows, Virginia Hazlewood, Leona Pritchard and many nieces and nephews. His caregivers who became part of the family, Norlee and Marie, deserve deep gratitude; also Mitsy and Gregory who loved him dearly; finally to Dr. Theodore Turnquest and his amazing and dedicated, loving staff at Oncology Consultants Bahamas who took such good care of him. His International family and friends: Steve Stanhope; the Yeates, Thelma Gilbert Maggie Ansell, the Hockin family; the Prouse family; the Collyers, the Pyfroms, The Roses, The Clapps, and his SAC friends Close family friends include the Jones family, the Smiths, theMillar family, the Gilchrists and the Houssers. So many others, too numerous to mention here, from The U.S., Canada and Europe, whose friendship is truly treasured.
His strong support for his favourite charity, Lend a Hand Bahamas has helped make it grow exponentially and impacted many young lives, but help is needed continually to continue the work. If you wish to make a donation in his memory: Lend a Hand Bahamas (Donations within the Bahamas). Bank: First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Limited. Account Name: Lend a Hand Bahamas. Account Number: 201663646. Branch is Sandyport 07046. Swift code FCIBBSNS.
There are many memories to be shared in the coming days and weeks as we come to terms with the fact that Robert is no longer with us physically. He was cremated according to his wishes but he is forever embedded in our hearts and memories.
