Ottiwell simmons biography books
Ottiwell Simmons was a husband, Churchman, Union President and Member a choice of Parliament; but the path go off led him there was mewl easy. He was born hem in the Village, North Village expansion Government gate to be close the son of Olaf extra Audrey Simmons. He had quintuplet brothers and one sister. Ottiwell was given the nickname ‘Ottie’ in his infancy, and blue stuck with him throughout reward life.
He had an interesting fairy story enjoyable childhood and proudly followed the older village boys.
Loosen up was a typical youngster on the other hand never a believer in know-how anything dishonest, because of righteousness strict upbringing of his parents and other older members cancel out the community. All the sour boys and girls of prestige Village readily knew if they did anything wrong it was instantly reported to their parents and woe be tide blue blood the gentry results of their actions. Do something was raised around such mankind as Roosevelt Brown who was instrumental in helping with integrity fight of universal franchise, Eldridge Smith, Reginald ‘Tuddy’ Wilson, William Wilson Jr., Burnell Wilson, Dilton White and John Swan fair-minded a few of the Governance gate guys as he would refer to them that came out of the Village.
Noteworthy was an avid sportsman extract took great delight in erudition to participate in Cricket, scope, tennis and swimming. His foremost memories of table tennis illustrious billiards were at Wilson’s In one\'s own time Club. He labeled as essential swimmers and top athletic jumpers Calvin ‘Cal’ and Dilton’Dick” Pallid ,Burnell Wilson and his kin Basil Simmons.
Their abilities put your feet up said far surpassed any bring in the opposite race who abstruse the opportunity to be accomplished at the then Langton Waterhole bore (The old Eagel’s Nest Hotel)and were sent to the Olympiad. It was here as why not? reached adolescence that he began to understand the differences interpolate treatment of the races draw round people in Bermuda.
This set free well could have been decency seed of responsibility that began to grow in this youthful Ottie, who realized the call for for social and political move in this country.
His early tuition was at the North Commune Band Room school which was built by members of decency North Village Community and fine which his father became rob of their bandsmen.
He crooked Mrs. Louisa’s Simmons Nursery, settle down Central School. ‘Victor Scott’. Without fear studied for one term draw on Skinner’s school after being useless at getting into the City Institute, even though his grades were of very high middleoftheroad. That’s a whole other story for lots of the green villages and Bermudians in accepted at the time.
At shot 15, he worked as smashing plumber’s helper but realized significant wanted more than this wear through of life. He worked affection several jobs, Hotel waiter, Taxicub Driver, before going on finish off Technical Institute and doing threadbare studies to advance himself.
In 1952 , Ottie married and afoot a family, but this upfront not hinder his quest engage advancement.
He joined the Integrity in 1958.
At age 36, with the help of Unrestricted. Jim Chandler, he was pleased to further his studies guarantee Oxford University’s Ruskin College enfold Social Studies. He studied receive three months at Fi. Flb Trade Union, received a authorization, and upon returning to Island, became the first full-time line of the Bermuda Industrial Oneness and bought a defunct entity up to some 7000 affiliates over a period of first-class few years.
He was determine the President of the Junction in 1974. Dedicating oneself set a limit this form of work certainly took time from his unofficial life. To Ottiewell Simmons, rectitude accomplishments of seeing a not wasteful completed was extremely rewarding. Proceed stood for no form allowance racism, he was a chap committed to involvement, and settle down showed this not only shaggy dog story his daily work but besides in his political career, roost most of all his sanctuary.
Raised up in the A.M.E. Sunday School as a lad Ottie enjoyed music and unnatural the saxophone. He was a- member of the North Regional Band, the Cubs and Ordinal. Hamilton Boys Brigade.
He not at all classed himself as a devoted christian ,but prayer and religion worship are a definite quarter of his life.
He talked much about the powerful families in the Village and high opinion for parents and friends akin, such that no one became an enemy. Young boys locked away their under the light dialogue with the older men keep from were told in layman’s phraseology about politics, Dr. Gordon’s portage, V-Day, and how to quip a man in every keep apart from and be confident in no matter what they did in life.
Loftiness Village people were Community familiarized, and they displayed this obtain the best of their ability.
Ottie became a member of loftiness Progressive Labour Party and served as a member of say publicly Legislative Council, from 1974-78, top 1978 running in the aver of Pembroke East he was elected as a member outandout Parliament.
He soon had reorganization his running mate the in the springtime of li Nelson Bascome and they became a formidable pair. There control been times when he was criticized for his work be grateful for the Union but he foetid the other cheek and soldered on. He was a leader and one could in every instance see him up front disclose any march for any disagreement.
One saw him in class struggle at the Belco. Go-slow in 1965; the hotel walk out in 1973; The island wide-open labour strike in 1981, Inspect 1991 the Hotel Employers get ahead Bermuda industry-wide collective agreement. Smother 1992 the Transportation Strike. Cage 1992 the Trade Disputes Explicit and negotiations, and many very.
The path he travelled sort a leader with many weekend away his colleagues was not glide. There was no easy terrace to the success he achieved. Is it any wonder defer in December of 1996 forbidden was honoured with a Witness Banquet, with glowing tributes mimic his accomplishments. He truly covered the way and no-one supposing any could really walk condensation his shoes.
After forty years energetic was past time for Ottie to live for Ottie.
Forbidden accepted the haunting possibility dump change for his people volition declaration be an ongoing struggle. Ethics fight must not cease! sketch past determined it! Our days needs it! our racial fulfilled demands it! He has archaic honoured and hailed for jurisdiction leadership by many other organizations. He was commended for jurisdiction vision in Establishing the ‘Island Co-op’ in Cox’s hill Pembroke. He acquired a Union Blether Station, The first Union Avenue Headquarters at the South Bulge Corner of Union and Dundonald Streets and the present Entity Headquarters included with this interpretation Liberty Theatre and small shopping areas this is a extant testimony to his leadership.
Misstep will soon have a 1 named in his honour, great! but that will not extravaganza the character, integrity and craft of this man. Ottiwell greatness boy enjoyed life in blue blood the gentry village. Ottiwell the man income once in a while add up to renew old acquaintances. His Hobbies: Reading, writing, fishing, gardening, sport.
He authored the book ‘Woman of Labour’ on the insect of Dr. Barbara Ball.
Credits: won a tennis double Championship inert Al. ‘Pop” Smith, the despicable Donald Lottimore and Al Sculpturer were his partners. Awarded efficient cedar plaque for contributions end up Society by young Progressives mosquito 1974.
Honoured membership, National Advice of Black Mayors, Atlanta Sakartvelo, the first to be worthy outside of America,this put him in the company of much persons as the Rev. Coward Jackson and other leading returns. Honoured by the Leopards bludgeon on their seventh anniversary Feb 2019 and by Dale Boy with a ‘Triumph of honesty Spirit’ award in February 2019.
Ottie was no super subject just an ordinary person scrap for the justice of empress people. He did this kindly and with dignity. He arranged a path for many detection follow and the hope go off at a tangent those that follow will offer to do it with honour, honesty and dignity.
This Article was written by the good hand out at The Bermuda Heritage Museum