“We are all feeling this loss of Duane - such a fine person. People really do touch our lives professionally and personally in the workplace”.

On behalf of College President Dr. Duranda Greene and all the staff and faculty, and especially the Communications Team – Cherie, Thaao and Sharrel, it is an honour to write this tribute to our colleague. Duane was the Marketing Assistant in the Communications Office since 2008. Duane loved his job at Bermuda College. Can I say that again? Duane absolutely loved his job. There was never a Communications initiative or undertaking that Duane did not approach with gusto. As many of my College colleagues shared after learning of his passing, Duane always had a ready smile, a warm heart and a ‘can-do’, gentle spirit. It inspired all of us. From loading the van with Bermuda College paraphernalia to set up mobile recruitment stations at sporting or community events, in the mall, at City Hall, or other venues; to distributing Class Schedules in the College van from St. George’s to Dockyard; liaising with media vendors to run ads; coordinate interviews or prepare marketing budgets – Duane could be counted on to perform his duties, usually going over and above to ensure the College was well represented.

Duane would easily tell you that his favourite time in the academic year, was Commencement (graduation). It was his highlight. He was proud of Bermuda College graduates, and was all grins on Commencement Day when graduates walked across the stage. It wasn’t so much that he knew many of them – or even any of them. He was just proud of their accomplishment, and loved to be involved in celebrating their success – just as if he had personally taught each of them. For me, Duane was consistently big-hearted that way. He loved to give. He loved to share … He loved to EAT! For a time, before he got sick, he would often stop by my office and tell me about a new dish or a new restaurant he had discovered. If he really was a fan of the newly-discovered dish, he would buy it at lunch time and share it. We would then critique its merits and shortcomings as if we really knew what we were talking about.

"I remember Duane loved the sea."

When he used to catch the bus in to work, he would always look for the whales breaching along the South Shore and be so excited to share how many he’d seen. Sometimes, at lunchtime, he would simply sit off and enjoy the beauty of the South Shore. That was Duane. He wasn’t a showy guy, he enjoyed simple pleasures. He was easy to talk to, easy to relate to as a colleague, and a ready friend.

Duane’s temperament reminds me of a Scripture in James: "where we’re admonished to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath." Duane nailed two of those three virtues. He was always ready to provide a sympathetic ear and to listen to anyone; and he very, very rarely got angry. But Duane was NOT slow to speak – especially when he got excited or had a creative marketing idea. Then you couldn’t shut him up! You literally could not get a word in edgewise. It was refreshing and absolutely infuriating at the same time. He had no full stops – pauses maybe, where he would actually stop long enough to take a breath. It was almost like free-ranging off a hill on your bike. He just went as far and as long as he could until he couldn’t go any further. "Hang on, Duane," I’d interject – several times during our Team meetings – "Cherie is trying to say something." Cherie would then wearily sigh and say, "I was just trying to say …". Duane would wait patiently until the next opportunity, and jump right back in again. And this would happen regularly in our Team meetings – even before Covid, and definitely when we had to move to Zoom. The platform didn’t really matter. Duane just loved to talk. And when it came to marketing and recruitment initiatives, he was unstoppable!

One thing I will always treasure in my memories of Duane – and I’m sure many of you will, as well, was his positive outlook on everything. Duane CHOSE to be positive every day of his life, even when he faced his health challenge. Duane would always see the glass as half-full. He had been telling me about different symptoms for several months, and I’d say, “Duane, why not get it checked out?” He would assure me then, that he’d adopted a healthier life style; was working out at the gym in the early morning, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

When he received his diagnosis and told me, he kept his smile, but said, "I ain’t gonna lie, I was frightened. But I’m gonna’ fight this. I got this. I’m going to stay strong and beat this. Yeah."

Every hurdle; every new treatment; every doctor’s visit; every scan …

“I’m gonna’ fight this. I got this. I’m going to stay strong and beat this. Yeah.”

Duane’s positivity seldom wavered. The small wins, we’d celebrate; the setbacks, we’d pray. He had faith, and he would always rally again in his outlook. He insisted that it was his support network, his co-workers and the Team that kept him strong; actually, it was the other way around.

When Duane’s health battle first started, he publicly shared the following quote:

“I’ve learned a lot this year… I’ve learned that things don’t always turn out the way you planned or the way you think they should.

And I’ve learned that there are things that go wrong - that don’t always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before.

I’ve learned that some broken things stay broken, and I’ve learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones, as long as you have people who love you.”

And that, colleagues, family, friends, was it. Duane got through some pretty difficult times in his journey, especially towards the end. But right up until the end, he still kept looking for better days ahead because Duane was surrounded by so many people who loved him.

At Bermuda College, because the Communications Team touches just about every division or department at some point, Duane got to interact with everyone – and everyone appreciated that ready smile, that generous heart and that can-do, gentle spirit. Even our media vendors – Bernews, InterIsland Communications, Bermuda Broadcasting Company, VIBE 103, and the Royal Gazette, all spoke very highly of their interactions with Duane when they learned of his passing; and all sent condolences to our Team and thoughts for his family.

As a Team of five – we’re missing one, and it hurts. There’ll be an empty, silent space in our meetings, Duane, that we wish we could hear your voice fill one more time; and this time, we’ll let you go on for as long as you want! Know that we’ll be thinking of you, missing you and drawing from the example of strength you left behind.

To Mr and Mrs Richards, Bryant and the Richards family, the thoughts and prayers of the entire campus community are with you. And, we thank you for the privilege of getting to know and work with this gentle giant. May God bless you and keep you through this time of bereavement.

Duane made life better, immediately. His commitment to helping is, and will remain, famous. I'm confident that every single person that Duane meaningfully interacted with can share a memory where he either provided or genuinely offered support with anything, from organizing a project, physically lending a hand, to emotionally navigating a difficult moment. This was all driven by his reflexive commitment to kindness. He was always interested in helping to ease the load. All you ever had to do was ask, and Duane showed up. In fact, sometimes, asking wasn't even required to receive his support and presence.

He also loved stories, telling them and hearing them - especially from comic books. We spent hours talking about the Incredible Hulk, Black Panther, The Avengers- stories about powerful men who did their best to protect and help folks. Which, as I'm sure you understand, fits perfectly.

Duane was a good man and a great friend.I hope his family knows how deeply he is loved and that their grief is shared.

I will miss him terribly.

You were such an inspiration to me and to all who knew you.

Duane, you were not only my colleague, you were my special friend; a true friend and confidant. Your strength, perseverance and free-spirited personality will always be remembered along with your everlasting encouragement. Your smile, your giggle and your quirkiness, will never be forgotten.

Duane, I will miss you my friend, but I know God has you now. And your bright spirit will live on forever in my heart.

Love your friend, Shelly.

"Evelyn, Cherie, Sharrel, and Thaao, I am so saddened to hear about the passing of your very dear colleague, Duane. Yes, as a BC employee, he was my colleague as well, but I know the closeness your guys shared. My heart goes out to you. My thoughts and prayers are with each one of you, as well as with his family, at this difficult time of loss. I hope the happy memories of his time here at BC will help to sustain you."

"Hugs to each of you."

What I will always remember of Duane was, once you met him, you could never forget him. He never called me Lorrita; that’s because I believe that his parents raised him to be respectful of those older than him, and those who led and guided him. So, it was always, “Ms. Tucker”. If he ever needed to see me for anything – he always left my presence making a promise; telling me “not to worry”; “I got this”. And, he tried, and tried and tried, to do better, and to be better, no matter what. He defined the word “grateful”; and hearing him say “thank you” endlessly, (for all that my team – Lauren and Marie and I did for him), ringed with humility and above all else – with gratefulness. But, who would not do for Duane? If giving and doing for others was a competition, in my mind – Duane would always win.

In my moments of reflection, while Duane was alive, and as I became quietly aware that he was nearing the end of his fight, I could only see him as a “courageous man”. Amazed by his spirit in the face of pain, and in the reality that soon, this life would be no more. No matter how my times my thoughts circled, I could only see him as brave and courageous. Over the last two years, watching him, hearing him, listening to him – I thought, if anyone is going to beat this – it’s going to be Duane. He had the power to make you believe it.

I’ve heard it said that “death” is one of the best teachers of “life”. Duane has made me believe that too. Because, in all the testimonials and in all of the tributes, no-one has reflected on how Duane died – but how he lived! Bravely, courageously, humbly, gleefully, simply. A life-lesson learned – for me.

Thank you, Duane. Tears are falling as I wish you a peaceful rest.

As routinely as you can imagine we had these two interactions practically every single time we where in office together. I can't really imagine that we will not have this interactions again:

“Click, Click, Click, Click” “Hey, Whatcha doin’?”

What you doin’?

“Gonna do it right now! Right now! Right now!”

Two days later…

“Gonna do it right now! Right now! Right now!”

“Have a good night, see ya, don’t stay long, go home” Check you lata Duane…Have a great night, Peace Out!

Duane, Your impact has been imprinted. The world still needs the kindness you shared. The ripple effect matters.

“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it. ~Paulo Coelho

Keep shining brightly on the other side. Just saying…

Check you lata Duane…Have a great night, Peace Out!

Communications Team, Sympathies on your loss. Duane was a gem to work with and I know he will be greatly missed.

To Bryant and the Richards family, with deep sympathy, President Greene wrote:

"I was very saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved Brother, and I extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy.

Duane was employed with the Bermuda College for 13 years. The Communications Department and the BC family as a whole are deeply saddened hearing of your loss. He will always be remembered by his colleagues for his genuine kindness, positive attitude and always sharing an encouraging word. Duane was a true ambassador for Bermuda College, and this was evident through his dedication and service to the College.

Kindly accept the sympathy and heartfelt condolences of the Board, Executive, faculty, staff and students of Bermuda College. May your family find some comfort in the many special memories and happy times that you shared with Duane."

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal.”