R.E. Cooper Meritorious Award Founding President

Matthew revered the great American Civil Rights leader the Late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It was Dr. King’s impactful speech called “I have A Dream” that captivated and motivated Matthew. So great was his deference for Dr. King that often Matthew could be heard quoting relevant passages and parts of this speech which highlighted the ”drum major’s  instinct” and emphasized that longevity has its place but it’s not the length of one’s life that matters nor the catalogue of accomplishments; rather, the emphasis should be placed on the contributions that are made to enhance and improve society.               

Coming from very humble origins and beginnings, Matthew was not pompous, boastful or ostentatious of his multifarious attainments, chief among them being the fact that he was a fully qualified medical doctor at the youthful age of twenty-three and that he completed his residency in Paediatrics two years later and became a Fellow of the American Academic of Paediatrics.        

Being very patriotic and civic minded, Matthew renounced the privilege of being a permanent resident of the United States of America to return home to render quality service to his Bahamian brothers and sisters, particularly in the critical field of child care. He served as a consultant at the Princess Margaret Hospital and was a partner in the Paediatrics Department of St. Luke’s Medical Centre, Collins Avenue, Centreville, Nassau, The Bahamas.    

Matthew received personal satisfaction and fulfilment as a result of the contributions he made to the delivery of health care in The Bahamas.  However in 1978, his personal joy was elevated beyond compare when, forsaking all others, he took Sonia Bastian as his “lawful, wedded wife”.  He was her rose and she was “the apple of his eye.” He was extremely proud of her as she possessed all the qualities of loyalty devotion and faithfulness, resourcefulness and dedication as any man could require or desire of a woman! Theirs was a love that would not let go!        

This love blossomed and more roses were added to their garden of love in the form of four sons: Matthew II, Eric, Darion and Terrell. Nothing made Matthew more proud than his role as a father. In fact he much preferred being called “father” in the truest sense of the word than having the initials “M.D.” behind his name. Although his family was special to him, they had to make numerous sacrifices as they shared their husband and father with so many others who also needed his attention, assistance and his love. However Mathew made certain that they were never denied anything within his means and expressed his eternal gratitude to them for their selflessness, understanding and moral support.   

Mathew hailed from a very large family. His parents demanded nothing less than one hundred percent effort in whatever was attempted. Hard work was not an option; it was mandatory! His father, Cecil, whose physical stature has an uncompromising “do not spare the rod” attitude, demanded that he maximized his potentials. He had a strong bond with his mother, affectionately called “Grammy Rose” by his sons, whom he regarded as his earthly god and his pillar of strength. As his practice for medicine grew, so did his extended family. The beneficent worth of his lifetime and his friends in the medical profession and beyond were all the treasures to him.      

Despite the many exhausting demands on him as a Paediatrician, Matthew participated fully in civic affairs in his beloved Bahamas. His commitment to serve the Bahamian people was demonstrated by the fact that he always looked for additional ways to contribute to the Bahamian society, especially in the area of Sports.

We have heard time and again that “many are called but few are chosen.” Matthew was unique in that he was both called and chosen! He accepted the challenge to become personally involved in active politics in 1986. In that year, in a vigorously contested By-election, Matthew was elected as the Member of Parliament of the Progressive Liberal Party to represent the constituents of the Saint Barnabas constituency. This victory made him the youngest member of the House of Assembly at that time. A year later, he again offered himself for political office and was returned to his seat in the Honorable House of Assembly as the Member of Parliament for Saint Barnabas, where he served until his demise.
Matthew was convinced that “to do the will of God was his greatest achievement” and although demands on his time by his professional and political life were extremely severe he made the time to show his devotion to his God and his church, Mission Baptist. He was a member of the Men’s Fellowship, assisted in the pedagogical aspects of Mission and served as the Chairman of the R.E. Cooper Senior National Meritorious Service Award Committee from its inception in 1985.  He was also the assistant to the pastor, Dr. R.E. Cooper Jr., when the idea was conceived to expand the church’s outreach ministry to the Northern Bahamas. In January of 1988 his hard work was brought to fruition when the Freeport Mission Baptist Church was established and dedicated.

If Matthew could respond to this synopsis, he would no doubt say: “It’s taking too much time!” Speak only of my love toward my God and church and quickly, but succinctly, talk about my love for my family, friends and country.”  

In accordance with what perhaps would be his request for this occasion, this précis is best concluded by saying that Matthew always appreciated the love and care from his family and friends, which were always reciprocated.

Dr.  Matthew Rose left us all with an everlasting sense of his love, compassion, gentle and indomitable spirit.