Charles Maynard was driving along with party secretary general Michael Foulkes, in the area of Blackwood, heading into Dundas and Murphy Town at about 12:30 a.m. when he fell ill and collapsed, the FNM said in a statement.
Party leader Dr Hubert Minnis, who was on the island at the time but not at the scene, gave verbal directions in an effort to revive Maynard, but they were unsuccessful.
Maynard apparently suffered a massive heart attack and was pronounced dead at about 1:30 a.m., the statement said.
“The passing of the national chairman Charles Maynard is a tremendous loss of a rising political statesman and public servant, not only to the Free National Movement, but also to our beloved country,” said the FNM.
Maynard was the former MP for Golden Isles and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. At the time of his death he was serving as the coordinator of the North Abaco by-election campaign.
Charles Maynard was born in Nassau, the son of Andrew (Dud) and Isadora Maynard.
Maynard graduated from Queen’s College, and later from the College of The Bahamas in 1988. He worked with an agro-business development company, participating in comprehensive research in the profitability of sustained agricultural and animal husbandry in The Bahamas.
Maynard was responsible for the development of the Corner Hotel on Carmichael Road. He had a keen interest in the promotion of Bahamian culture, compelling him to develop a Bahamian products and services enterprise. A devotee of Junkanoo, he played different roles in a number of leading Junkanoo groups.
Maynard also served on the Carmichael Police Consultative Committee for many years.
Maynard was first elected to parliament, representing the Golden Isles Constituency in the 2007 general election, and was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Culture. He was subsequently appointed Minister with Responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mr Maynard is survived by his wife Zelena, his three daughters, his parents Andrew “Dud” Maynard and Isadora Maynard, and many other family members and friends.
Source: The Nassau Guardian
